Meeting & Agendas

Meeting called to order at 11:40am.

Michelle welcomed all the attendees to the fall 2015 advisory board meeting. She opened the floor to all attendees as they went around the room and introduced themselves. Michelle thanked the board for the ongoing support to the programs. Thanked the board for internships, field trips and overall assistance with the programs.

New faculty: The department had several faculty members take jobs outside of Austin, leaving several positions to be filled. Antonio Pace, F&B Director at Stephen F Austin was hired to teach Purchasing. Luca Reck, Manager of the Residence above Hilton, and formerly of Four Seasons and Hotel Ella is teaching Intro to Hospitality. Danielle McGillen, of the Four Seasons just moved from the Rooms division to the finance department is teaching the Front Office Management class. Finally, Meagan Fritts owns ATX access is joining us in the spring for Group Tours. Travel & Tourism is the hardest to find instructors for as it is hard find people with the right degrees and experience that matches class offerings. The department is working on getting Stacey on board as well. Enrollment: Classes are still being offered at Eastview as well as Round Rock. The enrollment is pretty steady, but has gone down slightly. Currently down about 6 students compared to last year. There are a little over 300 students within the three programs at this time. With the changes to the Travel & Tourism degree plan, the department hopes to see an increase in enrollment of this program. Grads: Last year were 19 students that graduate and this year there 29 students who graduated. The department has been encouraging students to double major and get their certificate first. A lot of our students already have some form of degree, whether it be a bachelors or even a masters. Articulation Agreements: The articulation agreement with U of H is going well. Students seem to be interested in the program/school. During the spring Michelle went to Texas Tech to start working on an articulation agreement with them for Hospitality Administration. She is hoping that it will be finalized shortly. AHLA Mentorship Program: Mentorship program was started two years ago. This year HSMAI is joining in and taking on student mentees. The first year there were 3 students. The second year there were 6 to start and ended with 4 due to graduation/relocation. This year there are 8 students that will be interviewing on Monday at the Career Fair. HSMAI Student Group: HMA was the program’s student organization for the last few years. HSMAI reached out and wanted to see if there was an interest to start a student chapter. Students are able to join HSMAI for $70.00/ year and students are able to attend all events and meetings for free. Students are also matched up with a “buddy” to attend meetings with. Once a semester students will also have a social and HSMAI professionals will be invited. There are currently 10 students signed up and 15 are needed to start an “official” chapter. HSMAI will also have a sign up during the Career Fair on Monday. HSMAI also offers a scholarship. Travel & Tourism SWOT: Travel & Tourism SWOT was conducted spring 2015. The analysis takes a look at the program and make sure we are teaching the right classes, have the right instructors in place, etc. The outcome was that there were a few classes that are not being offered that really should be. The department added CVB/DMC class and the Western Hemisphere class to meet the demands of the industry and to keep the program relevant. Another outcome was getting the faculty inline with the new travel industry needs and trends. The department will be conducting a Hospitality SWOT this year. Will be looking for some hospitality professionals to assist and offer input.

Converge on the Capitol: Last spring, about 25 students participated in Converge on the Capitol with AHLA. The students had an eye opening experience. Joe added that behind Sea World, ACC Hospitality was the 2nd largest group that participated. Etiquette: Perry’s hosted this year’s etiquette dinner. This was a bit different than previous times, but turned out to be a really great experience for all. Perry’s was great to work with and Liz’s class did a lot of pre-work so that they could interact appropriately and get the most out of their experience. Special Event Design: The Special Event Design class was able to work with a bride to help her create her vision. The class was split up into three groups where they presented their version of the bride’s vision based on budget and ideas that the bride has provided. This was a great experience as it was a real life experience for the students. There is a bride that contacted us to assist with her wedding so they are trying to have the students do something similar for the upcoming semester. Explained that our students are provided numerous volunteer and paid event opportunities throughout the year. An example of this would be Evening with the Authors, which takes place this upcoming weekend. Students execute the catering and service of this event. WEC Scholarship: Meeting & Event Planning Student, Laura, won MPI’s WEC scholarship that took place in San Francisco. There was only one scholarship provided nationally for students. This conference was a really great opportunity for her and ACC. Liz was also able to attend this conference. AHLA: Over the last year students have assisted AHLA with the Green Trade Show and Holiday Party. AHLA provides a scholarship to students each spring. Software: Michelle is currently testing out a new PMS system. She has been using Opera, but this semester is testing out Inn Road. It allows students to complete assignments and it is based on an ACC hotel. Jennifer and Joe both noted that understanding concepts is more important than knowing the system. Sabre is stilling being used in the Travel & Tourism classes. Liz has introduced a lot of new softwares. In finance, they are now using Acknowledge Software. The modules are really great for the students as it reiterates what they are taught earlier in the semester and students are able to apply what is being taught. Social Tables is being taught in the Intro and Catering class. Hotel Sales Pro is still being used in the Sales and Marketing class. It is similar to Sales Force. Event Joy and Smart Crowds are being taught in Applied. The Sales class is using Animoto and Liz made an example to show the board. The slideshow shows the new faculty and students within the programs from the past year. Instantly, Survey Monkey, and Google Forms are also being taught in the classroom as well. Cindy asked about Excel and if it was being taught. Michelle does teach a class on Excel in her Computer’s class. Cindy noted that basic budget calculating /formulas are very important. In Liz’s catering class they are required to make an Excel budget. Liz also noted that they use “But Are You Making Money” in her class. Reed noted that the Accounting Department offers free trainings in Excel. This can be found on their website and it is called Toolbox.

Highland Campus: The department just got through meeting with the planning and architect for the Highland Campus project. The programs are slated to move and start classes at that campus in 2019. The programs have asked to have a Meeting & Event Planning lab. The classroom would be set up to include tablescapes, lighting, AV, tradeshow booths, basic florals, etc. A mock hotel room has also been requested. It would be an open hotel room with full bathroom. The room would be ADA compliant so that the legal class could use it as well. There would be flooring and wall covering options so that students can gain a better understanding. Both Joe and Jennifer informed Michelle that she could reach out to them for sponsorships. Joe also suggested that the Fairmont maybe able to donate their model room supplies. Michelle has talked to local companies to also use this room for training purposes as well. Reed noted that the square footage is not the problem, it is the finances. Therefore, if we are able to find sponsorship for these areas the better the chances of getting the requested areas. Jennifer stated that her company has grants available and that Michelle should talk to her about this possibility when the time approaches (early summer 2016). The third part that has been requested was originally a travel agency, but during the SWOT analysis it was suggested that this space be used for a DMC for non-profits. The DMC would crossover for Meeting & Event Planning students and Travel & Tourism students. The usage of this space has not been confirmed and will take suggestions. The department will be seeking sponsorship and donations for these rooms as they are important to the educational experience for the students.

Career Fair: Monday from 4pm-6pm in 8500. Industry professionals conducting mock interviews and resume reviews. Hospitality Law Class: Michelle, Liz, and 8 students from the law class are attending a law conference in November. Study Abroad: Michelle will be taking students to Sorrento, Italy this coming summer. Students will be doing an internship study abroad. Students will Skype interview and they will be staying for 4 weeks. Scholarship and fundraising opportunities are available. There are 9 applicants already. Michelle may be reaching out if there are still some students that need internships. ACC Pipeline- Reed mentioned that the college is focusing on dual credit, credit/non-credit, and articulations. Michelle mentioned that the programs work closely with the high schools.

Paul suggested creating articulation agreements with local colleges for students to transfer to. He believes that this could help increase the number of students enrolling within the program. Michelle stated that a lot of the students in Tourism are just looking for a two year degree, but we would work on building relationships. Paul stated that he would be happy to pass along contacts. Cindy stated Texas State and St. Edwards (Marketing) are both producing a lot of students that are interested in Meeting & Event Planning. Suggested that there be a relationship built there so that we can guide our students in those directions for four year schools as well. Cindy also suggested that there possibly be a class on customer service, conflict resolution, or Austin specific tourism. Jennifer asked if we teach contracts. Both Liz and Michelle review contracts in their classes. Liz reminded the board that we have 1st and 2nd year students so they touch on basics. Contracts are so large there could be just a class that focuses on them. Michelle's law class goes further in depth. Stacy- Brought up Hybrid meetings as something that should be possibly taught in the class rooms. She uses In Expo, but there are numerous types of programs. Michelle thanked everyone for their time. If anyone thinks of any ideas or has suggestions for Highland, please feel free to call or email her.

Meeting was adjourned at 12:57pm.