South Hosts Hospitality and Tourism Management Conference for High School Seniors
Posted on December 7, 2023 by CEPS Marketing and Communications
In partnership with Mobile County Public Schools, the University of South Alabama Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management organized a one-day conference for local high school seniors. The event was held December 6 at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.
“The conference's main objective was to create awareness about the hospitality and tourism management program at University of South Alabama,” said Dr. Khal Nusair, chair of the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. “More than 250 students and educators attended the event.”
Students were from Alma Bryant High School, Baker High School, Blount High School, Citronelle High School, Davidson High School, Mary G. Montgomery High School, Murphy High School, Vigor High School and Williamson High School.
During the event, students were taken on guided tours to The Battle House, Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, ASM Global, and PP Hospitality Group. Amanda Owens, a University of South Alabama admissions officer, highlighted why students should consider South after finishing high school.
Throughout the day, students also listened to presentations made by industry experts about the potential of a hospitality degree. Featured speakers included David Clark, president and CEO of Visit Mobile; Kendal Wall, general manager for ASM Mobile; Ally Odam, recruitment director for Waffle House; Graham Stirm, division manager for Waffle House; Mike Stover, corporate director of talent and culture for PCH Hotels and Resorts; Ed Douglas, director of the Gulf Shores Campus for Coastal Alabama Community College; and Gabi Wilson, lead faculty of culinary arts for Bishop State Community College. The event concluded with a career fair.
“This event couldn’t have been possible without the generous support of Dr. John Kovaleski, dean of the University of South Alabama College of Education and Professional Studies, the organizing committee, USA New Student Recruitment, and our amazing partners in the hospitality and tourism industry,” Nusair said.
