Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1094854
I N T H E N E W S B M & T ••• January/February 2019 ••• www.blackmeetingsandtourism.com 6 FUTURE LEADERS OF CINCINNATI HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY RECOGNIZED AT PROGRAM GRADUATION Local high school students were the first to graduate from the Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership (IHL) recently as part of a community-wide effort to develop a more highly skilled and diverse work- force for the Cincinnati region's hospitality indus- try. The IHL, which was led by the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2016, launched its inaugural semester with select juniors and seniors at Dater High Schools this past fall. Students met with educators and local industry leaders to follow an IHL-designed coursework that introduced them to the scope of potential career paths within the industry via educational and experiential programs. Students also participated in a national customer service certification program and earned the designation of Certified Tourism Ambassadors at the graduation ceremony. Following the graduation, students from the IHL have the opportunity participate in a local hospitality internship program from January to April 2019. "Travel to the Cincinnati region is at an all-time high, and Student President Media Interview with that, there is a need for a more robust workforce in the hospitality industry, which is a key job creator and economic driver locally. The Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership meets that need by addressing regional workforce trends and working to maximize the size and impact of the region's economy," said Julie Calvert, president and CEO of the Cin-cinnati USA CVB. Development of the IHL was fueled by a growing tourism and hospi- tality industry in the Cincinnati region, which emp- loys more than 80,000 people and generates more than $5 billion in visitor spending annually. Through a collaborative effort with local industry leaders, Cincinnati Public Schools and the Cincinnati Recreation Commission, the IHL is designed to move the industry forward and demon- strate the breadth, impact and cohesiveness of hospitality throughout Cincinnati. "The Cincinnati region is investing in the future of the local hospitality industry and is allowing students to plan for their personal futures," said Constance Cooper, chair- woman of the IHL. "By reaching these young leaders at an early age, the IHL encourages them to better under- stand their potential role in the industry so they can tailor their education and experiences to meet and exceed their Inaugural IHL Class 3 Julie Calvert, Cincinnati USA CVB, President & CEO