Amal Aboushanab ’25 (hospitality and tourism management), Daniel Lootens ’26 (management information systems), Kimberly Kaleta ’25 (marketing), Luchunzi Wang ’26 (MS hospitality business management), Matilda Gjini ’26 (MS hospitality business management), and Dan Hooper ’27 (hospitality and tourism management) attended The Hospitality Show, October 28-30, in San Antonio, Texas. The Show featured programming, networking, breakout presentations, and an exhibition hall featuring hundreds of vendors.
We caught up with a couple of the attendees who spoke enthusiastically about their time at the conference.
Daniel Lootens: “I was fully exposed to the many new advancements in hospitality. The industry is growing so fast, with incredible opportunities for students to make an impact. I talked to many companies that are growing rapidly and made connections that, once I enter the industry, will be incredibly valuable. I think this opportunity would be incredibly valuable for any student, hospitality or not, to learn about technology and what opportunities exist everywhere.”
Kimberley Kaleta: “This event was fantastic exposure to the world of innovative hospitality technology, including food and beverage, cosmetics, security, accessibility, marketing, and more. As a marketing student with a minor in hospitality and tourism management, I loved taking in each company’s branding and product designs, as well as meeting a variety of marketing representatives. I especially enjoyed the ‘Marketing Masterclass: How To Thrive In A Competitive Landscape’ panel, where panelists touched on the impact of social media influencers, exemplifying your brand, and how much small touches matter. It was so exciting to hear from professionals in the field and take helpful notes from their varied experiences!”
