Major in Hospitality and Event Management

The Hospitality and Event Management major prepares students for leadership roles in a dynamic, global industry spanning lodging, food and beverage, events, and tourism. The curriculum integrates core business principles with applied hospitality management, equipping students with the skills needed for entry-level management and long-term career advancement. Coursework emphasizes experiential learning through real-world projects, industry partnerships, and hands-on opportunities that connect theory to practice. Students develop competencies in operations, service management, marketing, and financial decision-making, along with strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.

The program maintains active partnerships with hospitality and event organizations at the local, regional, and national levels, providing students with access to internships, practicums, and career pathways across commercial and non-commercial sectors. Students may also gain applied experience through campus-based operations, including Gifford Café/Catering, where they engage in food preparation, service, marketing, and management functions.

Learning Objectives

Students will demonstrate:

1. The application of a systems-based understanding of hospitality and event organizations within a dynamic business environment.
2. The analysis and interpretation of operational and financial data to support effective decision-making.
3. The management of hospitality operations by allocating resources, coordinating teams, and delivering high-quality guest experiences.
4. The core management competencies, including planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling across diverse hospitality settings.
5. The exhibition of ethical leadership, professionalism, and effective communication in service-oriented environments.

Potential Occupations

Graduates are prepared for careers across a wide range of hospitality and event sectors, including hotels and resorts, restaurants, event venues, destination organizations, and tourism-related businesses.

Common career pathways include:

• Hotel and resort management
• Event planning and production
• Food and beverage management
• Sales and revenue management
• Guest experience and operations management
• Destination marketing and tourism development

Graduates may also pursue roles in specialized sectors such as real estate, catering, conference services, attractions, and hospitality-related entrepreneurship.

Learn more about the Hospitality and Event Management major on the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition website.