success organisers said Sunday.

Ms Zehena Davis, director of Human Resources, said the event which was held in the ballroom from noon until 7 p.m., had attracted a good cross section of people who are interested in the hotel industry.

"The response that we got from the community was outstanding,'' she said.

"It was really so much more than we ever anticipated.

"We had a wide spectrum of people. We had students from high school, the Bermuda College and people from the general public who were just interested in the hotel industry.'' Ms Davis explained that the idea for the job fair was conceived in March when the hotel's executive committee met to discuss hiring procedures at Marriott and the difficulties it faced when it came to filling certain positions.

At that time managers and union shop stewards agreed that the hotel should develop more creative means of recruiting Bermudian associates for various jobs at the hotel.

"We were being criticised for not giving Bermudians a chance,'' she explained. "But if we do not get locals to apply for jobs that means we have to look overseas for our labour.'' All departments were represented in the ballroom so that students could see how they operated.

Additionally, there were cooking demonstrations and lectures on resume preparation and interviewing skills.

PROPER PROCEDURE -- Marriott Castle Harbour Banquet Captain Mr. Basil Outerbridge shows Berkeley Institute student Ms Amanda Simons 16, and Nelia Pacheco, 17, of Whitney how a table should be set during the job fair held at the property on Sunday. (From left to right are:) Mr. Outerbridge, Ms Simons and Ms Pacheco