The hospitality management department hosted the third annual Summit on Wednesday, November 28 in the K-State Student Union. The students of the events capstone class, HM 663, planned and executed the event.
The keynote speaker for the event was Robert Smith, K-State graduate in business who is the Director of Meetings for the American Educational Research Association in Washington D.C. He enlightened students about finding your passion and working hard to reach their potential.
Morning sessions for the Summit included alumni and friends of the hospitality management department including: “Salary Negotiations” with instructor Trysta Williams from the College of Business, Department of Management; “Hospitality Survival Guide” featuring Dr. Soumia Barhan, Communications Studies, Vanetta Geiger, HM Student Services Coordinator, and HM students Jess Freund and Antonio Fenton. An “Entrepreneurship Panel” of hospitality businesses including Laura Van Zante, Co-founder of MoXi Events, and Austin Dugan, Owner of 86 Cold Press, both from Kansas City, spoke about being an entrepreneur. “Trends in the Food and Beverage Sector” were discussed by HM graduates Haley Kenig, food and beverage director at the Ambassador Hotel in Kansas City and Brett Engleman, Service and Catering Manager at JP’s Sports Grill in Manhattan, and Les Padzensky, Vice President of food and beverage at the Warren Theatres, Wichita.
Afternoon sessions featured Don Breckenridge, General Manager, Intercontinental Hotel Kansas City; Reggie Woodridge, General Manager, Overland Park Marriott; John Tuckman, Human Resources and Events Manager, Prairie Band Casino, Mayetta; Alex Matthews, Great Wolf Lodge, Kansas City; and Allie Webb, Director of Sales and Marketing, Parkwood Inn & Suites, Manhattan who discussed the “Different Organizational Structures in Lodging”.
Students enjoyed how newly graduated HM alumni are “Adjusting to the Real World” with Abby Hattok, Marriott Voyager Program; Logan Edwards, Sales Director Bluemont Hotel, Manhattan; and Jessica Ayres, Tasting Room and Venue Manager at Liquid Art Winery Tasting Room, Manhattan. A session called “A Look Inside Food and Beverage” was presented by HM graduates, Austin DeForest, PB & J Restaurants, Kansas City and Brian Bollinger, General Manager of Raising Canes, Kansas City. “Behind the Scenes of Nonprofits” featured Melissa Soldan, Development Director, Boys & Girls Club, Manhattan; Mark Claussen, United Way Manhattan; and Dryan Soldan, Executive Director, Wamego Chamber of Commerce.
Students enjoyed a catered lunch by HM’s own Lacy’s Fresh Fare and Catering while viewing and talking to students who presented their 300-level work experience posters in the K-State Union Ballroom.
Over 130 students, faculty, and guests joined in the day’s festivities that were planned and executed for students by students, making the 3rd annual Summit a success. The next featured HM event will be the Hospitality Meet-Up – Career Fair which will be held Tuesday, February 19 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Berney Family Welcome Center on the K-State campus.