Ohio State’s Hospitality Management program well-represented in New York City
Students in the hospitality management program, within the Department of Human Sciences, traveled to New York City in November to attend the second annual HX: The Hotel Experience Show.
The annual convention is a multi-million dollar display of what is new in the hospitality and tourism industry – recognizing the field’s strongest leaders and offering networking opportunities for students. Hundreds of vendors, professionals and students attend the event to learn about the newest trends in hospitality.
"In addition to the new knowledge and refreshing perspectives, the HX Show also confirmed some of my beliefs about this promising industry, said Frank Chen, a senior in hospitality management and business.
"Witnessing how my specializations and interests already applied to and developed in the industry is rather exciting. I am now even more certain that my passion and strengths could be widely accepted and effectively utilized in some sectors of the hospitality world.”
Sixteen hospitality management students traveled with hospitality management advisory board members Anne Turpin, Melissa Johnson and Bill Ferguson for the trip to the Big Apple. In addition to the HX Show, students also experienced hospitality in many segments including tourism, food and beverage and hotels. Students gained a solid understanding of various components, including service delivery, quality assurance and operations in large locations in the busy Manhattan setting.
"I think the item that I got most out of this trip was that even though New York City is fast paced, you are able to find genuine hospitality in places you wouldn't expect," said Victoria Figliomeni, a senior in hospitality management. "Last year, we took pedi-cabs around Central Park. One of the drivers (his name was Frankie Legs) really made an impression on us. So much that we called him back to take care of our group this year and he and his crew did not disappoint. They gave us so much knowledge along the way about the scenes and landmarks in the park and stopped at various times to take group pictures for us. You could tell they genuinely wanted us to enjoy our trip."
Students also displayed their passion for the hospitality management program and The Ohio State University by participating in The Today Show on Monday, Nov. 9. The group of spirited Buckeyes was well represented with signs, Ohio State pullovers and a lot of enthusiasm aspiring to gain national recognition.
Funds raised from the program’s annual fundraising event, The Big Dish, sponsored all costs associated with the trip. Top students in the program and those fully engaged in the Hospitality Management Association, a student group comprised of EHE students, will be eligible for future trips to the HX: The Hotel Experience Show.
For more information, contact the Hospitality Management Association.
To support scholarship and other educational opportunities for hospitality management students at The Ohio State University, give to the Hospitality Management Scholarship Fund.
Interested in discussing multiple ways that you can support of the goals of future hospitality experts? Please contact Andrea Bowlin, chief advancement officer, at bowlin.6@osu.edu or 614-292-6516.
