The School of Tourism and Hotel Management (THM) at the University of Balamand (UOB) hosted Mr. Tony Naiim, General Manager and Corporate F&B Director at Lancaster Suites Raouche, who delivered a lecture titled “Leading & Inspiring for Development: Inside the World of Lancaster” on the 13th of May, 2025, at UOB Main Campus.

Mr. Naiim, a hospitality professional with over 23 years of experience, delivered an inspiring talk to THM students. His impressive career includes leadership roles in Lebanon, Jordan, Burkina Faso, and Congo, managing top properties under brands such as Lancaster, Le Bristol, Golden Tulip, and Al Bustan.

During the session, Mr. Naiim shared his personal success story and spoke about the true essence of leadership in hospitality. He stressed that starting from the bottom and gaining hands-on experience is key for anyone aiming to become a hotel general manager. “Real knowledge comes from the ground,” he explained, encouraging students to experience different hotel departments through job rotation.

He captivated students with real-life stories and lessons from his career, reminding them to stay passionate, resilient, and to never fear making mistakes. He also emphasized the value of emotional intelligence, noting it is often more important than intellectual intelligence in this industry.

Dr. Jihane Adeimi, Director of THM, also addressed the audience, emphasizing the difference between managing and leading, and highlighting the importance of empathy, inspiration, and emotional intelligence in effective leadership. She encouraged students to become role models who make their teams feel valued and heard.

After the talk, Mr. Naiim, accompanied by Cluster Public Relations Director Mr. Alain Bou Jaoude, attended the Business Expo 2025, where THM students presented their innovative hospitality projects. He engaged with the students, offered thoughtful feedback, and generously shared advice and encouragement.