Singapore Hospitality Purchasing

Purchasing is a value added activity that is concerned with the total cost reduction. In a highly competitive business environment, hospitality buyers are organising themselves to be a valuable strategic team player in a cross-functional enviornment in the organization they are working for.

Hospitality Purchasing Association (Singapore) is a non-profit organization. The association is managed by a group of volunteers who form the Management Committee. The object of the Association are to foster and promote the professionalism, development, and application of hospitality purchasing in all aspects including sourcing, buying, stores management, inventory control, facilities management through the organization of appropriate activities and services.

Their existing members include people in the trade of hotels, airlines, country clubs, restaurants, hospitals, fast food chains, catering and other related hospitality business in the service industry.

Tom Koek has been a member with the Singapore Hospitality Purchasing Association (HPA) since 1996. He sat in the Management Committee from 1997 to 2002. He has contributed to the purchasing association through holding various portfolio during his appointment with the HPA.

In 1997, Tom Koek was the Assistant Director of Social Activities of HPA. He assisted in organizing activities and event such as field trips, annual dinner and family day for members. In 1999, Tom Koek was reassigned to be the Assistant Director of Education of HPA. He organized training and seminars for members. In 2000, he became the Director of Membership. Beside recruiting new members, he also created the "personal touch" by introducing sending birthday cards to members on their birthdays.