Thirty-year hospitality veteran Deborah Gardner is helping prime the meetings talent pipeline by launching a live broadcast for hospitality students October 4, featuring segments from some of the top leaders in the industry.
Gardner, creator of the popular Hospitality Today Live and a frequent contributor to Meetings Today, partnered with Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Grand Valley State University on the inaugural International Hospitality Student’s Day broadcast, set to run from 8:45 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Eastern October 4.
“When I did our Global Meetings Industry Day broadcast in 2022, I had a professor on from Grand Valley State University, Dr. Lori Tuma, who said these students are having a real hard time during COVID,” Gardner said. “Now everybody’s just jumping on this idea because this is our future—we’ve just got to get their attention.”
Gardner plans to do an International Hospitality Student’s Day broadcast every year with a different sponsoring university hospitality program. She said some professors are even offering college credits to their students for participating and some of the top meetings and hospitality schools in the U.S. are also on board when it comes to presenting the content to their students.
Big-Name Meetings Industry Talent
The free broadcast will feature conversations with top industry leaders across various sectors, including F&B, meetings and events, technology, travel and tourism, hotels and resorts, convention centers, entertainment and more.
Contributors will include:
- David Peckinpaugh, President & CEO, Maritz
- Rebecca DeLuca, Vice President of Destination Sales Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority; and Chair of the U.S. Council, MPI Foundation
- Sherrif Karamat, President & CEO, PCMA
- Marsha Flanagan, President & CEO, IAEE
- Derrick Johnson, Director of Event Experience, SHRM
- Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, U.S. Travel
- Anna Blue, President, AHLA Foundation
According to Gardner, the project was spearheaded by Dr. Tuma, associate professor of hospitality and tourism management at Grand Valley State University.
“This unique event will provide an exceptional platform for the industry to connect with and support our emerging leaders while offering invaluable opportunities for students to engage with today’s industry pioneers,” Dr. Tuma shared in announcing the program.
The International Hospitality Student’s Day broadcast will be co-hosted by Jeremy Nichols, hospitality and restaurant recruiter for Gecko Hospitality.
How to Watch
The free program will be available via the following social media platforms:
