Sustainable Hospitality & Tourism Management Program

🌟 Guest Speaker Spotlight: Nick Catanella III from Sparks 🌟 Sparks, a global brand experience agency, specializes in creating immersive and meaningful experiences for leading brands. From activations and exhibits to digital and live events, Sparks (a Freeman Company) connects audiences through creativity and strategic execution. In our Introduction to Event Planning & Management class (HOSP 323), students had the privilege of learning from the dynamic Nick Catanella III, an Executive Producer for Global Agency Production at Sparks. With over 22 years of experience, Nick has produced unforgettable events for global giants like LinkedIn, GE HealthCare, Google, Visa, Amazon Web Services (AWS), The HEINEKEN Company, Nike, and the National Basketball Association (NBA). From leading the iconic Heineken House at Coachella to producing the largest fan fest in NBA history, Nick’s passion for live events and his dedication to creating unique experiences left a lasting impression. One student shared: “Hearing Nick's experiences inspired so many new ideas for my career path. He shared a wealth of knowledge that our class was excited to learn from, and I especially enjoyed hearing about the unique props and items he built himself for various events!” We are incredibly grateful for guest speakers like Nick who invest their time and expertise to inspire the next generation about the diverse career opportunities in the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) sector. MICE is a vibrant part of the tourism and events industry, encompassing everything from corporate meetings and incentive travel to large-scale conferences and exhibitions. Choose a career in hospitality, tourism, and events, and no two days will ever be the same! #EventManagement #MICEIndustry #CareerOpportunities #HospitalityAndTourism #GuestSpeaker #SparksAgency #ExperientialMarketing #StudentInspiration

Calling all California State University, Monterey Bay recipients of a CHLA Hospitality Foundation scholarship. Be sur the age to connect on the CHLA Hospitality Foundation Community page. Connect with employers and explore rewarding opportunities in the hospitality industry! 🏆 Carson Meachim 🏆Cierra Verdone 🏆Jackie Happel 🏆Marina Melgar 🏆 Marina Edeza 🏆 Ivette Olivas 🏆 Paige Axton 🏆 Crystal Soto 🏆 Hannah Nelson 🏆 Jazmin L Lopez-Martinez 🏆 Jasmine Alvarez-Morales 🏆 Julian Lopez 🏆 Riki Gonzales 🏆 Azucena Dominguez

Passionate about motorsports? New Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA) chapter and our students are welcome to join. 🏁🚗 In a groundbreaking step for local motorsport enthusiasts, Lauri Eberhart, Esq., the newly appointed CEO of FRIENDS OF LAGUNA SECA and a founding board member of WIMNA, has launched a local chapter right here on the Monterey Peninsula! This exciting initiative brings together women passionate about motorsports, offering a unique platform for networking, mentorship, and collaboration. The inaugural Meet & Greet last week at the C Restaurant in the InterContinental The Clement Monterey Hotel drew an impressive crowd, with over 50 women on the chapter’s email list and 30 in attendance, representing WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, car week events, marketing groups, journalists, and more. As Eberhart shared, “We see this as an opportunity to foster connections, highlight women’s contributions to motorsports, and inspire new generations.” With opportunities for engagement, mentorship, and visibility, this chapter is set to make a significant impact on our local automotive and motorsports community. Are you a student interested in joining this dynamic group? Connect with Paige P. Viren to discover how you can engage, collaborate, and help advance women’s roles in motorsports! #WomenInMotorsports #MontereyPeninsula #NetworkingOpportunities #LagunaSeca #MotorsportsCommunity

Great job opportunities at Portola Hotel & Spa at Monterey Bay! 🐋

Congratulations to Dr. Viren on her impactful presentation, Sustainable Synergy: The Role of Hospitality & Tourism in Advancing Green Infrastructure! Her insights on how our industry can drive environmental stewardship and strengthen community well-being are both inspiring and timely. Well done, Dr. Viren, for leading the conversation on sustainability and shaping a more resilient future! 🌱 Green Infrastructure Design California State University, Monterey Bay

🏌️♂️ It’s a Hole in One for Ben Meltzer! ⛳ A huge congratulations to Ben Meltzer for being selected as the Philanthropy & Volunteer Program Intern at the Monterey Peninsula Foundation! Ben will be contributing to impactful programs, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Resorts Pro-Am and PURE Insurance Championship, while gaining hands-on experience in grant administration, volunteer coordination, and event support. We're so proud of Ben's commitment to service and making a positive impact. A heartfelt thank you to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation for providing this incredible opportunity for our students to gain real-world experience! #Internship #Congratulations #Philanthropy #Volunteering #CareerGrowth #StudentSuccess #HospitalityAndTourism #ATTPebbleBeachProAm #MontereyPeninsulaFoundation

🌟 Today, we had the pleasure of welcoming Alyssa Rendon, Director of Community Relations at See Monterey, to our HOSP 472: Environmental Systems and Tourism Management class! Alyssa shared invaluable insights into the role of community initiatives in tourism and the importance of keeping local residents informed and engaged. She thoughtfully addressed students' questions on balancing tourism growth with community well-being and maintaining economic impact without compromising local values. Alyssa also provided our students with guidance for their semester-long project, which explores how South Monterey County can contribute to the broader county area’s tourism landscape. This region is renowned for its exceptional wines and is also home to Pinnacles National Park, a unique and inspiring destination for nature enthusiasts. Our students will dive deep into how these regional assets can drive both tourism and local pride. Thank you, Alyssa, for inspiring the next generation of tourism leaders and giving our students the tools to make a meaningful impact in Monterey County! 🌎🍇🏞️ #CSUMB #SHTM #TourismManagement #SustainableTourism #CommunityEngagement #SeeMonterey #SouthMontereyCounty #WineCountry #PinnaclesNationalPark #HospitalityEducation

Exciting Insights from Elizabeth Vitarisi Suro! Students in Dr. Alexis Choonghyoung Lee's Intro to Event Planning & Management (HOSP 323) course had the privilege of engaging with Elizabeth Vitarisi Suro, CEO of Destination x Design California. Elizabeth shared her inspiring journey in the events industry, drawing on her extensive experience as a consummate event planner and community business leader with over 20 years in the field. Her impressive journey included crafting high-profile corporate events for industry giants like Compaq, Genentech, and Hewlett Packard in the vibrant hubs of San Francisco and Silicon Valley. Through her candid storytelling, Elizabeth provided clear understanding into the essentials of corporate event planning and management, offering invaluable insights into effective leadership and the art of designing dynamic, customized events. Her ability to translate theory into real-world applications gave students a glimpse of the industry's complexities and the excitement of event planning on a large scale. Bringing in guest speakers like Elizabeth enhances the learning experience by connecting students with professionals who are actively shaping the industry. Hearing firsthand from experts bridges the gap between classroom concepts and actual practice, giving students a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in their chosen careers. Guest speakers also provide valuable networking opportunities and practical advice, inspiring the next generation of leaders to approach their careers with confidence and a forward-thinking mindset. Thank you, Elizabeth, for inspiring our future event leaders with your insights and passion for the industry! Your leadership mantras will undoubtedly guide us as we forge our own paths in event management! #EventPlanning #Leadership #Inspiration #Networking #CommunityLeadership California State University, Monterey Bay

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📣 Another California Hotel & Lodging Association Hospitality Foundation Scholarship Awards Gala on the books! 📣 It was a delight to celebrate the exceptional achievements of our scholarship recipients at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego on October 24th! 🎓✨ The CHLA Hospitality Foundation proudly awarded over $175,000 in scholarships to 60 outstanding students from across California. These carefully selected individuals reflect the hard work, diversity, and passion that fuel the next generation of leaders in our industry. We're thrilled to share that four students from California State University, Monterey Bay received scholarships totaling $12,000! A special congratulations to Ivette Olivas, Marina Edeza, Cierra Verdone, and Jackie Happel on this incredible achievement! A heartfelt thank you to Michael Pace, Chair of the CHLA Hospitality Foundation, and all the board members for your unwavering generosity and support for students. Together, we are building a brighter future for hospitality! Let’s celebrate their success and look forward to the impact they’ll make in our field! 🎉👏 Would you like to experience the Gala next year? Scholarship recipients receive travel funding to attend the Gala. Culinary Arts, Hospitality, and Tourism Majors: 2025 Scholarship Applications open in January 2025. Application Deadline: March 31, 2025! Application Requirements: ✅ Pursuing an Associate or Bachelor's degree at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or university in California ✅ Must be designated as a hospitality industry major for at least one semester or quarter prior to applying ✅ Enrolled in at least 12 units at the time of application ✅ Earned a 3.0 GPA in all industry courses completed Qualified freshmen are encouraged to apply! #CHLAHospitalityFoundation #FutureLeaders #HospitalityExcellence