Getting to know our Supplier Member

Desmond Lomas, CMP
Director of Global Accounts
Self-employed as an associate of The Howe’s Group https://thehowesgroup.com/
Originally joined in 2003
@desmondlomas
https://www.linkedin.com/in/desmondlomas/
desmond@thehowesgroup.com

Tell us a bit about yourself

I was born in Ottawa, but never actually lived in Ottawa. I was raised in Aylmer Quebec (now the west end of Gatineau) and I now live about 10KM east in the Hull sector of Gatineau. I attended Philemon Wright Regional High School and for post-secondary education I got a diploma at Heritage College (CEGEP) and then went on to the University of Ottawa and received a degree in Political Science. I went to Algonquin College for Hotel and Restaurant Management shortly after that.

How did you join the industry? Was it a straight path or a more circuitous route?

Not knowing what I wanted to do with my political science degree and having many years of part-time work at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club under my belt, I realized that I enjoyed the hospitality industry and I was good at it. Like any driven career-oriented 21 year old, I took a winter off and hung-out with some of my cousins in Steamboat Colorado and became a “ski-bum” in order to find myself. I worked for some hotel properties in Colorado, owned by one of my family members, which really confirmed in my mind that I wanted to pursue the hospitality industry. As a result I enrolled in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Algonquin College the following year.

Social Media: What do you recommend following on social media. What is the best industry blog or Ted Talk you’d recommend to fellow members?

I would recommend you subscribe to the Howes Group newsletter. It is an easy read, full of great tips and very entertaining. I’m very proud of it. https://thehowesgroup.com/blog/

Inspiration: What is one dream you’ve seen fulfilled?

Being self-employed. While it is not for the faint of heart, the freedom and tranquility of spirit it allows you is beyond measure. You are responsible for your own success!

Professional: What is the best giveaway item you’ve ever received at a conference/event?

One of those mini-wallets in a hard metal case that ejects your cards with a flip of a lever. I love it and still use it to this day!

Personal: What is the advice you would give to your younger self?

Take more risks. I wish I had started on the entrepreneurial path sooner.

Networking: What’s your favourite ‘icebreaker question’ at a networking event/best conversation starter?

I genuinely enjoy meeting new people so I have never had to overthink this one and don’t necessarily ask the same questions. Some great questions are how they got their start in the industry and where their home-town is etc.  When networking at Ottawa events you will find that many people are not actually from Ottawa so this is always fascinating to find out where people are from and why they made the choice to move to Ottawa.

Favourite Quote:

This one came to mind recently: “No good deed goes unpunished” (Clare Boothe Luce) but it is not by any means my favourite one. I’m a more positive person than this normally! When travelling in December, my flight from Orlando was already delayed several hours. I didn’t check any bags on my trip but an announcement was made by the gate attendant suggesting passengers to “gate-check” their carry-on to speed up the boarding process. Well guess what! My connection was missed in Toronto and I was forced to spend the night in Toronto. Somehow my bag went on to Ottawa without me. I spent the night in Toronto without any essentials. This and other travel challenges inspired me to write my latest “Top 5” blog article.

 Article compiled by Kelly Brintnell Tourism Kingston

Article edited by Rozanne Lyons, CMP, Intertask Conferences