Marie VanDervoort’s Post

It's been a while LinkedIn, and yeesh we been busy. ⚡ After many years of fire fighting in my previous role, I left with a wealth of experience. I was fortunate to have incredible support, development, and opportunities along the way. I helped bring together brands, develop concepts, and create award-winning menus, and we had an amazing time doing it. The best part? The people. The education and experiences I shared over the years, watching individuals grow in confidence, seizing opportunities, and then going on to achieve great things—that's something I'll forever be grateful for. (You know who you are) COVID had a profound impact on me. It pushed me to reconnect with the outdoors, get back into fitness, and realize just how destructive my lifestyle had become. Over time, the business changed. I clung to the best parts of my work while, in reality, it was slowly chipping away at my mental health. I had invested so much in my physical well-being and was using that as an escape. I was living two lives: crafting menus I no longer believed in, holding coaching sessions that felt disconnected. The role no longer served me, and I no longer fit. It wasn’t right or wrong—it was just business. I realized my true purpose was helping people, making a difference. Today, I coach, personal train, and run—a lot. I’m still a strong advocate for mental health. As fast as my new path has taken off (faster than I ever expected), I couldn’t completely step away from the industry that gave me so much. I wanted to empower change. Bar operations and creative development are often lumped together, usually filled by the most experienced individual, until they become the central figure in the business—without clear roles or fair compensation for the work they do. The problem is, they’re often either too operational and not creative enough or vice versa. Most of the time, businesses can’t afford both roles, and the individual becomes overwhelmed, which leads to burnout or being let go. I’ve seen it first-hand through years of delivering redundancies. My goal was to bridge that gap. I want to set businesses up for long-term success by channelling collective knowledge, providing the tools and experience necessary to enable future bar operations and creative teams to thrive. This is about progress and saving bars from losing their best people and creating a more profitable business. This has been a long time coming. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’re building here at Industry Spirit, and whilst I attempt to find balance in both worlds, I’m excited to keep working alongside some of the most amazing and selfless people. If you’re part of a growing hospitality group, bar, or an individual facing challenges—we can help. Between us, we’ve seen it all and, more often than not, done more with less. If we haven’t seen the problem before, we’ll work relentlessly until we find a solution. Follow us, share, and get in touch. Let’s continue to make great things happen. ✨

🚗💨 Starting 2025 in Pole Position! 🏁 A huge shoutout to Armorgard, who kicked off the new year with a bang on their strategy day, held on the 2nd of January! 🎉 They didn’t just talk strategy – they lived it, racing toward stronger collaboration, creativity, and team spirit. 🚀 Their activity of choice? Our legendary Soap Box Derby team build. 🛠️🛞 Teams got hands-on building and racing their own soapbox cars – and the results? Absolute teamwork magic, sprinkled with a healthy dose of competitive spirit! 🏆✨ Starting the year with a clear vision is important, but engaging your team to buy into that vision? That’s next-level strategy. 🙌 Thinking of injecting some adrenaline into your next strategy day? Let’s chat – we’ve got plenty of ideas to get your team’s wheels turning. 🚦 #TeamBuilding #SoapBoxDerby #Armorguard #CorporateCulture #StrategyDay #TeamEngagement

Well, what a Grand Final that was last week! Brisbane Lions fans are probably still buzzing after that win. As for me? Let’s just say my excitement was a bit… tempered. Carlton finishing 8th wasn’t quite the dream, but hey, there’s always next year, right? 😅 Now, while everyone was caught up in the game, I couldn’t help but think about all the logistics that make an event like that possible. With over 100,000 fans packed into the MCG, the scale of getting food, drinks, and merchandise into the stadium is massive. But that’s just part of it. You’ve got food stalls all around the MCG to think about, and let’s not forget the pubs across Melbourne packed with people watching the game live. Every one of those places needs supplies to keep the fans fed, lubricated and happy. It’s a lot more than what meets the eye! Being in logistics myself, I know how complex these operations can be. It takes a well-oiled machine to keep everything running smoothly. It reminds me of when we handled the logistics for 120 VIP rooms at SeaWorld—delivering everything from dining tables to ottomans and lounges. Sure, it was a challenge, but it’s the kind of work that keeps us on our toes. We had 12 talented team members out there making sure everything was spot-on. And you know what? Instead of just doing the usual time-sensitive deliveries to the docks or shop floors, our crew got to stretch their legs a bit and enjoy the day at SeaWorld while getting the job done. It was a nice break from the norm! So, while everyone was cheering for their team at the Grand Final, I was tipping my hat to the behind-the-scenes heroes—the logistics teams making sure everything runs smoothly. Without them, you’d have hungry fans inside and outside the stadium, and no merch flying off the shelves. And believe me, nobody wants that kind of chaos! If you’re planning a big event and want a logistics team that can handle the pressure (and still have a bit of fun), let’s chat. We’ll make sure everything runs smoother than Carlton’s season… 😄

🌐 Why a Modern Website Design Matters in 2024 🚀 In today's digital age, your website is often the first impression potential clients or customers have of your business. Here's why having a modern-looking website is crucial: 1. Building Trust: A sleek, contemporary design builds trust with visitors. It shows professionalism and attention to detail, crucial for establishing credibility in the eyes of your audience. 2. Loading Speed: Ensuring your website loads quickly is crucial for retaining visitors. Slow loading times can frustrate users and lead to higher bounce rates. 3. SEO Optimization: Modern websites are typically designed with search engine optimization (SEO) best practices in mind, making it easier for potential clients/customers to find your website through search engines like Google. The future of search is changing rapidly and drastically - you need to keep up and make sure AI platforms are pushing users to your content! 4. Natural Flow of Information: Modern websites are designed with user experience in mind. They guide visitors through the information intuitively, making it easier for them to understand your offerings and navigate your content. 5. Ease of Navigation: Visitors appreciate websites where they can quickly find what they're looking for. A modern design ensures that navigation is seamless, reducing bounce rates and keeping visitors engaged longer. 6. Compatibility Across Devices: With the majority of users accessing the internet via mobile devices, having a website that is responsive and compatible across all screen sizes is non-negotiable. A modern website adapts effortlessly to desktops, tablets, and smartphones alike. Investing in a modern website isn't just about aesthetics—it's about enhancing user experience, building trust, and ultimately driving business growth in a competitive digital landscape. We're excited at Traverse Hospitality to be partnering with hostAI on building our website for the future.

If your only reason for working is to earn a living, you are unlikely to grow. Working is more than just a means of survival, it’s an opportunity to learn and grow. Your workplace shouldn’t only be a place to complete tasks, it should also be a learning environment. If you pay attention and remain open, it can unlock doors for personal and professional growth. My name is Fola, over the years, I’ve been an advocate for self-development because I believe that greatness comes from consistent effort and intentional learning. One thing I’ve learned is that having a clear vision is essential to success. A vision gives you purpose, drives you forward, and keeps you motivated, even when challenges arise. The hospitality industry, in particular, offers incredible opportunities for growth. But only those who are open-minded and willing to embrace these opportunities will benefit. I began my journey in the hospitality industry as a room attendant. Today, I am a team leader, and by God’s grace, I continue to put in the effort to advance in my career. As a Brand Ambassador for Young Stars in the hospitality industry, my team and I are passionate about creating awareness of the many opportunities within this field. If you are willing to invest in yourself, you can start from scratch and grow into a professional who aligns with your vision. Our mission is to support this industry by helping individuals develop their expertise. If you want to advance and become an expert in your field, this is the community for you. We’re also open to collaborating with industry professionals who share our passion for growth and development. #youngstarshospitalitytoworld #representingyoungstarsinthehospitality #noagelimit 🌎

Before we open we start our day with a premeal. This consist of different topics of conversation that keeps us aligned. We go over any new items, events for the day, and this pictures below is a roleplay being presented. This is reflecting at its finest. Here at Your 3rd Spot™ Social Dining we do roleplays to keep things fresh. As a team in different positions it's fun to hear what one department will spiel to guests vs. another department. When we do these roleplays we always have the team reflect. What did we like or what can we add. Hearing these also keep the team informed and aligned so we are all on one accord. These roleplays are super fun as well with the team because they are always different. We throw out different names and situations. It's always fun to see the reply with who is doing the roleplay because you must know how to answer any curve ball. That's why this team is so great. They test each other because we all have the same goal of winning and delivering the best of the best. Now that is a team. Working together to be better. #your3spot #atl #atlanta #hospitality #teamwork #growth

At ALIS Summer Update, our President Dina Belon spoke on how Staypineapple Hotels Inc. is using our tech stack to enable our employees to deliver better experiences to our guests. Learn more about it in this article by Sean McCracken : https://lnkd.in/dpqXz2tj

In this short clip taken from the 5-Star Conversation with Peter Tudehope from the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney, he highlights the crucial parallels between sports and business, emphasising the role of managers and leaders as coaches who drive team performance. He explains that, much like in a sports team, identifying and addressing individual shortcomings within a business team is essential for overall success. Peter values candidates with team sports experience, as it often indicates their ability to thrive in a team environment, which is fundamental in the hospitality industry. He underscores that true business success stems from cohesive team efforts rather than individual achievements. Watch the interview on YouTube or listen to it on Spotify. You will find the link in the comment below. #hotelmanagement #hotelleaders #technology4hotels #hotelindustry #hotellife

In this short clip taken from the 5-Star Conversation with Peter Tudehope from the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney, he highlights the crucial parallels between sports and business, emphasising the role of managers and leaders as coaches who drive team performance. He explains that, much like in a sports team, identifying and addressing individual shortcomings within a business team is essential for overall success. Peter values candidates with team sports experience, as it often indicates their ability to thrive in a team environment, which is fundamental in the hospitality industry. He underscores that true business success stems from cohesive team efforts rather than individual achievements. Watch the interview on YouTube or listen to it on Spotify. You will find the link in the comment below. #hotelmanagement #hotelleaders #technology4hotels #hotelindustry #hotellife

“Motivation in hospitality is like a balloon—it can lift us up, but it doesn’t last forever. Discipline, however, is the real game-changer. It’s the consistent dedication to delivering exceptional service, day in and day out, that sets great hospitality teams apart. Motivation may spark action, but discipline ensures excellence.” #HospitalityExcellence #DisciplineOverMotivation #TeamSuccess #GuestSatisfaction #LeadershipInHospitality