Hospitality industry POETS lunch raises almost £100k for the HIT Scotland – Scottish Business News

The hospitality industry united in force on 6th September to support the recent Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland POETS event (Push Off Early, Tomorrow’s Saturday).

Over 600 industry professionals gathered at the Glasgow Doubletree by Hilton to enjoy an Australian, “Especially For You” themed lunch with the global superstar, Jason Donovan, the headline entertainment.

Hosted by Tam Cowan, the event raised a record £97,700 for the Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland scholarship programme which supports the emerging talent of the industry.  HIT Scotland marks its 30th anniversary this year and the record-breaking lunch demonstrates how much the industry supports the future talent of the sector.

Co-Chair of the POET lunch organisation committee, Claire Gamble from Dakota Hotelsthanked everyone for taking part in the successful event, stating: 

“The HIT POETS lunch is a must attend event that everyone looks forward to and a great opportunity to meet colleagues old and new. It is always such a fun day raising funds to support an industry we love”.

Jamie Stevens from Village Hotels added: ”As Co-Chair I am proud to see the industry come together to support talent from entry level professionals to senior management. Thank you to everyone who made it an unforgettable night for a great cause”.

30 years of HIT Scotland

Since 1994, HIT Scotland has been a beacon of support for the hospitality sector, funding exceptional scholarship experiences to upskill and inspire hospitality talent. In 2024, it reached a significant milestone, awarding its 7,000th scholarship, all made possible by industry support and donations.

In 2023 alone, 414 scholarships were awarded across Scotland with 92% of recipients saying it would help them progress in their career and 94% believing it would enhance their current roles.

HIT Scotland hosts around 24 annual industry events, attracting over 3,500 attendees from 250 companies, and raising more than £150,000 through auctions alone. These events, from black-tie dinners to sports matches, provide invaluable fundraising and networking opportunities for industry professionals.

For more information about HIT Scotland and its initiatives, please visit the website: http://hitscotland.co.uk