Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/16726
TEMPLE SCHOOL OF TOURISM SHOWCASES CORPORATE CONNECTIONS WITH INDUSTRY PARTNER RECOGNITION The School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple University recently held its first Industry Partner Recognition as a formal thank you to 10 organizations – from independent nonprofits to global brands – that have provided opportunities to students throughout the school’s 12-year history. The March 23 event, which also served as a fundraiser for student scholarships, highlighted the importance of relationships between industry and academia and showed how those ties can benefit both employers and universi- ties. The inaugural honorees included global brands such as Comcast-Spectator, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Marriott International, as well as regional organizations, such as the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association (GPHA) , the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) and the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau (PCVB) . The Philadelphia Eagles, Philadelphia Phillies, Holiday Inn Express Philadelphia-Midtown and The Legendary Blue Horizon were also recognized. The 10 organizations were honored for contributing to the success of School of Tourism students through intern- ship and job placement, mentorship programs, scholar- ships and volunteer opportunities. The GPHA, for example, was recognized for reinforc- ing the School of Tourism brand in the hotel community and for consistently considering School of Tourism stu- dents for high-profile volunteer opportunities. During a video to highlight School of Tourism gradu- ates who are working with honoree organizations, alumna Aubrey Allen, an account executive for the GPHA, said she has been able to use her education to the fullest through the association. “I do business management on a daily basis, and, look- ing forward, I can grow and possibly even get my masters and go back to Temple,” she said. “The connections I made with the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association 20 will also make that possible.” Comcast-Spectacor was praised for engaging School of Tourism students in classroom activities, tours of its facil- ities and significant student projects like marketing cam- paigns. Similarly, the GPTMC has allowed School of Tourism students to be involved in the creative development of their marketing campaigns either as part of the develop- ment process or through the chance to give feedback as the corporation’s targeted demographic. Other industry partners were commended for giving students access to executives through in-class presenta- tions and lauded for innovative recruitment and training programs. Hyatt’s Corporate Management Training program, for example, has given School of Tourism students a compet- itive edge in a highly selective program and placed some students on the road to leadership before they graduate. Hyatt also extended its corporate diversity recruitment initiative beyond historically Black colleges and universi- ties to include minority students from high-performing schools, such as Temple, to be considered as candidates. In return for creative internship programs or experien- tial learning opportunities provided to the School of Tourism, industry partners receive quality talent in return. Internships and management training programs allow corporate partners to see the leadership skills of their prospective employees in action and better gauge whether their interns or trainees are suitable for the company. Dr. Elizabeth Barber, associate dean of the School of Tourism, described during the event how the School of Tourism has quickly grown into an international model for innovative teaching and research – and a major pro- ducer of talent for industry partners. “Our students take the skills they learn here and com- bine them with a unique Temple attitude,” Barber said. “They’re motivated, hard working and scrappy. They show up on time, they do what they have to do, and they have a good time while doing it. In return, you have greet- ed them with open arms.” Barber concluded her remarks by emphasizing that the School of Tourism’s relationships with supporters won’t end with the Industry Partner Recognition. “That’s because we’ll be building our networks and supporting our students tomorrow, the week after that, and for as long as we possibly can,” she said. Black Meetings & Tourism July/August 2010: www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com