Year in Reflection: 2021
December 22, 2021
What a year it’s been for our business and the industry. We decided to take a look back at our business' 6 most important milestones in 2021.
5 Milestones from 2021
These are the milestones that made up our year:
- Leanne Graham, our Executive General Manager: Arguably our biggest moment, in September of 2021 we welcomed our new Executive General Manager, Leanne Graham to the ahs hospitality family. Under Leanne’s leadership we are confident in her vision for our company’s future as she seeks to further diversify our service model and prioritise our people.
- ahs learning: Our Human Resources Manager, Ben Kazakoff, led the roll out of our new Learning Management System ‘ahs learning’. Utilising the award-wining Absorb software, ‘ahs learning’ offers our on-site team members the ability to access a single platform for learning and development, safety and compliance training, and easily access all onboarding materials.
- ahs 4 us: We have set up our new web-based rewards and recognition program to be rolled out in January to all ahs team members called ‘ahs 4 us’. This program offers our team members:
- Discounts off many of Australia’s biggest and favourite retailers
- Discounts from some of our country’s largest private insurance providers
- A recognition program to reward high achievers with gift cards
- A referral bonus scheme
- Access to a free 24/7 counselling support (for employees and their family members)
- Bullhorn: The integration of this cloud-based recruitment software for our support team has provided them with a comprehensive Customer Relationship Management system. Bullhorn has equipped our support team with an application tracking system and operations software to ensure privacy, quality, and compliance.
- Award wins: In 2021, ahs hospitality had a lot of achievements within our industry and the wider business community. We had the honour of being highly commended at the National Safety Awards for our solution to Work Health Safety. This was well-deserved recognition for our safety leaders, and their teams, who had worked so hard to provide a safe and welcoming environment for guests and hotel workers throughout the Victorian Hotel Quarantine program. For the HM Awards 2021 Housekeeper of the Year, not one, but TWO of our hardworking employees were highly commended. Lastly, our biggest title win in 2021 was awarded to our team member, Jeetha Lazaro, who took home the prize of “Back of House Team Member” at the TAA Awards in Victoria. Jeetha was recognised for her vital role in executing the Victorian Hotel Quarantine Program and her exceptional leadership throughout the year.
With the close of 2021, we look to 2022 shining brightly on the horizon with full confidence in the continued recovery and reinvigoration of our industry.
At ahs hospitality, Cultural Diversity Week is an opportunity to reflect on what truly makes our teams strong: the people, perspectives and experiences that come together every day across our operations. Housekeeping is one of the most diverse workforces in the hospitality industry. Across our teams, individuals from over 80 nationalities work side by side, bringing unique skills, values and ways of thinking. This diversity is not only part of who we are, it is a key driver of how we deliver consistent, high-quality service.
With February here and new students preparing to move in, student accommodation providers are entering one of the busiest times of the year. Tight turnaround windows, high occupancy and rising expectations mean every room and shared space needs to feel clean, fresh and ready from day one. A well-planned turnover cleaning approach helps create a positive first impression for incoming residents while protecting the long-term condition of your property. It also ensures a smoother transition between outgoing and new students, making move-in periods far more manageable for on-site teams.
As the hospitality industry moves into 2026, the role of housekeeping continues to evolve. Hotel operators are no longer looking for providers who simply deliver clean rooms, they are seeking strategic housekeeping partners who can support operational efficiency, guest satisfaction, workforce stability, compliance, and sustainability. With ongoing labour challenges, rising guest expectations, and increased focus on sustainability and risk management, housekeeping has become a core driver of overall hotel performance. So what will define a strong housekeeping partnership in 2026?
The festive season is a wonderful opportunity to recognise the incredible work of housekeeping teams. While guests are enjoying holidays, reunions, and summer travel, our housekeeping teams work tirelessly behind the scenes to create clean, welcoming spaces that make every stay feel special. Celebrating Christmas and New Year with your team is not only a way to show appreciation, but also a chance to build connection, strengthen morale, and end the year on a positive note. Here are six meaningful ways to celebrate with your housekeeping teams this festive season.
Preparing for Summer Peak Season: Getting Hotels, Commercial Spaces, and Student Accommodation Ready
As we move into the summer holiday period, many industries begin to experience their own version of “peak season.” Hotels welcome a surge of guests, shopping centres see heavier foot traffic, offices prepare for year-end shutdowns, and student accommodation providers manage large-scale move-outs. With demand rising across the board, now is the perfect time for businesses to plan ahead, strengthen their cleaning and housekeeping operations, and ensure they’re well-prepared for the busy months ahead.
October is Safe Work Month, and at ahs hospitality, it’s our time to pause, reflect, and celebrate what truly keeps our teams strong: safety. This year’s theme, “Be Prepared. Be Safe.”, captures the proactive approach we take to safety every day. As Jay Markland, Safety and Quality General Manager, explains: “Every day, we assess our tasks, identify risks, and put the right steps in place to keep our people safe. These risk assessments help shape our training and procedures, because when we follow our processes, we protect not just ourselves, but each other.” Throughout the month, we’ve focused on a new topic each week, exploring how small, everyday habits can make a big difference and help us create a safer workplace for everyone.
At ahs hospitality, Housekeeping Week is more than a celebration. It is a chance to shine a spotlight on the people who are truly at the heart of hospitality. Across Australia and New Zealand, our housekeeping teams are the ones who make every guest stay special, combining skill, care, and professionalism with a passion that sets them apart.
As spring approaches, businesses across Australia and New Zealand prepare for an influx of travellers, diners, conferences, and special events. This makes spring cleaning more than just a seasonal ritual, it’s a strategic step in ensuring exceptional guest satisfaction, protecting your property’s reputation and staying ahead during the busy season. At ahs hospitality, with over 30 years of experience in housekeeping services, we know what it takes to get rooms, restaurants, and facilities truly guest-ready. That’s why we’ve put together a practical deep-cleaning checklist to help your team prepare for spring.
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