OSU Hospitality Days set for February 18-19
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
The Oklahoma State University School of Hospitality and Tourism will host its 63rd annual Hospitality Days, February 18-19, 2019, in the north wing of the Human Sciences Building. The event includes a career fair and industry connection opportunities for students and hospitality professionals. On Monday, February 18, at 1 p.m. students will hear from a panel of recently graduated hospitality professionals with a keynote address from Operation Blue Shield founder and CEO Toni Brinker to follow.
Since 1956, OSU Hospitality and Tourism students have planned, organized and implemented the conference from the beginning to end. The Hospitality Days Committee coordinates the event, including working with OSU Career Services to put on the career fair that welcomes recruiters from local, national and international companies in search of new employees and interns to campus. The career fair on February 18 is open to any registered student. Registration is accepted online or onsite, and professional dress is required to attend.
Recently graduated hospitality industry professionals will share their day-to-day epxeriences in the industry, advice for graduating seniors, and recommendations young professionals should focus on when entering the industry. The panel will include a professional from each facet of the hospitality industry, incuding: Jesse Krewall, general manager of Hilton Garden Inn & Edmond Conference; Valeria Mejia, assistant Clubhouse Manager for Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club; Natalie Bennett, Senior Coordinator of Events and Competition Services for Sweet Adelines International; Zane Champon, Customer Development Manager for Pepsico Frito Lay; and Jon Wainwright, Hal Smith Restaurants, assistant manager, Hefner Grill.
Brinker will speak on the importance of leadership, the restaurant culture and opportunities, and philanthropy. Her work with Operation Blue Shield focuses on strategic alliances between community stakeholders, faith-based leaders, edcuators and first responders who recognize the power of working toward a common goal and building bridges of trust. She often represents Brinker International at speaking engagements, including the Nation’s Restaurant News Association Annual Conference. A dedicated philanthropist, Brinker has a host of charitable and community contributions, including the OSU School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, SMU’s Norman Brinker Endowed MBA Scholarship, San Diego State University’s Brinker Executive in Resident Program and the Culinary Institute of American (CIA) Norman Brinker Legacy Endowed scholarships.
Hospitality Days 2019 Schedule
Monday, February 18, 2019
9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Career fair - North Wing Human Sciences in the Great Hall
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Recruiter lunch with Hospitality Days Committee - Taylor’s Restaurant
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM – Education Panel and Keynote speaker Toni Brinker – Jorns Hall
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM - Information sessions – specified location in School of HTM;
- Career Fair – Great Hall, Human Sciences North Wing
5:00 PM – 6:00PM - Recruiter and OSU Graduating Senior reception – Gaylord Gallery, Human Sciences
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
9 – 4pm
Interviews – Career Services