InterContinental Hotels Group, the world’s most global hotel company, in partnership with the University of Memphis Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management under the leadership of Dr. Robert O’Halloran, sponsored a hospitality seminar for City of Memphis high school students. On February 5, 2004, more than 200 City of Memphis senior and junior high school students joined with key University and IHG leaders to learn more about the University and the hospitality industry.
The half-day seminar held at the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management provided students with an opportunity to learn about the University of Memphis’s hospitality program and offered a venue where students could learn first hand from key industry leaders about the rewards and opportunities a career in hospitality offered. Events included a panel discussion led by key IHG executives, including Vicki Gordon, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs; Lynn Zappone, vice president, Training; Gordon Ross, vice president, Human Resources; and Rod Eggleston, project manager, Applied Technology. Panelists shared with students their experiences in the hospitality industry and answered students’ questions.
The students were also treated to a special luncheon featuring keynote speaker, Jerome Miller, vice president and chief diversity officer for InterContinental Hotels Group, who shared with students his experiences about working in the industry and what students could do to get started on this career path.
“It impresses me when IHG employees make it a priority to act as role models for students by letting them know that if they set goals, get an education and work hard they can have a successful career,” said O’Halloran. “IHG has been extremely supportive of the Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management with their involvement in events like this educational seminar and their scholarship program.”
Says Gordon, “High school students are at a critical juncture in their education and life choices and it’s important that we share with them the opportunities that exist in the hospitality industry as well as the rewards that pursuing higher education can offer. Through our partnership with the University of Memphis and sponsorship of special events such as this program, we’re able to expose students to the different educational and career opportunities that are available to them that they might not otherwise consider.”
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