College of Education and Human Development

Industry Experts Brainstorm Future Growth of Tourism and Events Management Program

The Tourism and Events Management program invited industry experts to provide their insights at a "think tank" yesterday to brainstorm the future growth of the popular program.

With more than 200 undergraduate students majoring in Tourism and Events Management (TEM), the program is the largest in the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism, a part of the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. The program offers students the choice of three concentrations, in tourism management, events management, and hospitality management.

Faculty members from the Tourism and Events Management program met with industry experts at The Mason Inn yesterday to map the future growth of the program.

 

The purpose of the gathering was to touch base with industry experts to ensure that the courses the university offers and the research projects it conducts reflect the needs and expectations of the profession. The participants were also asked to provide their input on the makeup and objectives of an academic advisory board planned for the program.

The meeting was moderated by Maggie Daniels, PhD, associate professor and academic coordinator for the Tourism and Events Management program, and Ed Hoganson, executive vice president of finance and business development for Crestline Hotels & Resorts  and recently named affiliate faculty member.

Participants included the following, pictured above:

First row:

• Dave Durbin, managing director, Savills Hospitality Group
• Shawn Lee, assistant professor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Sue Slocum, assistant professor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Min Park, associate professor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Maggie Daniels, co-chair of advisory board and associate professor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Lee Ann Adams Mikeman, director of conference planning and special events, Leidos (Legacy SAIC)
• Melissa Busillo, academic advisor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Paul Jin, assistant professor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Winnie Larsen, senior director of learning and college dean, Hilton Worldwide University

Second row: 

• Ed Hoganson, co-chair of advisory board and executive vice president, Crestline Hotels & Resorts
• Marc Fournier, general manager, The Mason Inn, Crestline Hotels & Resorts
• Phil Borkowski, vice president of franchising, Marriott International
• Kurt Krause, board member of Lead Virginia, Virginia Society of Association Executives
• Russ Brayley, professor, Tourism and Events Management program
• Marty Seanor, asset manager, Obligo Investment Management
• Ann Marie Maher, executive director, Discover Prince William & Manassas VA
• Robert Gilbert, president and CEO, Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International
• Barry Feil, president and CEO, Celebrate Fairfax, Inc.
• Frank Kuhns, director of sales and marketing, Interstate Hotels & Resorts
• Barry Biggar, president and CEO, Visit Fairfax

 

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About CEHD

George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) includes two schools: the Graduate School of Education, one of the largest teacher preparation and education schools in Virginia, and the School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism. CEHD offers a comprehensive range of degrees, certificates, courses, and licensure programs on campus, online, and on site. The college is distinguished by faculty who encourage new ways of thinking and pioneering research supported by more than $75 million in funding over the past five years.

For additional information:

• CEHD Communications: cehdnews@gmu.edu
• School of Recreation, Health, and Tourism: rht.gmu.edu
• Tourism and Events Management program: https://rht.gmu.edu/hospitality-tourism-and-events-management/

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