The opportunities available in the ever-expanding hospitality industry are quickly opening up for University of Memphis students.
With the new Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management beginning its second year, there is growing support from students, the community and the industry.
Kristy Wilson, a senior, moved to Memphis from Nashville to take advantage of the program.
"I've been working in hotels since I was a junior in high school," Wilson said.
Wilson, who is no relation to the founder of the Holiday Inn chain Kemmons Wilson, transferred to The University of Memphis three years ago after hearing from friends about the new Holiday Inn and the Hospitality and Resort Management major being added to the College of Business.
Wilson, who has been working as a desk clerk at the hotel, said she knew she wanted to work in hotels and resorts.
"I like working with people and in hotels and resorts," she said. "I'd like to work in a resort area on a beach like in Florida or Hawaii."
Wilson said what appealed to her most about the hospitality program was that she could work at one of Kemmons Wilson's last built Holiday Inn's and she could get a degree in something she's always enjoyed and that has a solid future.
"The industry is growing and there will always be people taking vacations," she said.
This is the first full-scale hospitality program for The University of Memphis. Hospitality and Resort Management is a concentration in the management major in the College of Business.
Bob O'Halloran, director of the Kemmons Wilson School said he is confident this program is going to be successful.
"We think long term there is going to be a lot of interest in the program because it is a business program and the Kemmons Wilson name is well known," O'Halloran said.
A business degree concentrated on hospitality and resort management provides business students with flexibility after graduation. O'Halloran said with this program students can do a spectrum of things within the industry.
They can go into the hotel and restaurant operations but they can also go into tourism, sales, marketing, promotion, financial analysis, accounting, acquisitions, real estate and more.
Dean John Pepin reminisced on how the program got started.
"One day Kemmons Wilson walked into the former President's office and said 'I want to give you a hotel'," Pepin said.
Within a week, Pepin said Wilson came back and asked "do you want it or not". It was an offer for a $15 million hotel, an offer that couldn't be passed up.
Pepin said this new program creates an "unbelievable opportunity" in Memphis.
"We've got the greatest leaders in the industry on our side from the 1960's on," he said. "They want to work with us and graduate the next generation of hospitality management for hotels and resorts."
O'Halloran commented that this is "one of the nicest Holiday Inn's you'll ever see." With an all suite set up, executive meeting and ballrooms, restaurants, a gift shop and a Kemmons Wilson gallery decorated with Holiday Inn memorabilia, awards and blown-up pictures and quotes of Kemmons Wilson, it's obvious this hotel has a special purpose.
O'Halloran said there is about 92 students enrolled in the program for the Fall 2003 semester. He said the Kemmons Wilson School faculty and management company want to partner with the city and community in general. O'Halloran said in five years the goal is to have around 300 students within the continuing education programs for the community and the industry.
He said all students are required to get work experience in the field before they graduate and there are already opportunities for internships in the industry.
He said they are working with InterContinental Hotels Groups who owns the Holiday Inn brand. They are supporters of the school. Other companies in the local area such as the Belz Group with The Peabody Hotel and the hotel casinos in Tunica are interested in being involved with the programs. Part of their goal is to have a steady flow of future managers.
"There's a lot of interest on their part to participate with us," O'Halloran said. "It's mutually beneficial."
There are a variety of scholarships available to students who are enrolled in the Hospitality Program. There is an InterContinental scholarship aimed at minorities and women and the first one was awarded this summer to a senior.
Perkins restaurant has a scholarship. Three scholarships are dedicated to students from the Metro Memphis Hotel Association. The Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, Inc. (HSMAI) has three scholarships available and has already given away two. Another is dedicated from the Tennessee Hotel and Lodging Association.
"For most of these (scholarships) you need to be a sophomore," he said. "They need to see that you are serious about the program."
No other scholarships have been given yet but some will be awarded in the fall.
Frank Flautt, hotel developer and 1963 University of Memphis graduate now works with the University of Memphis and the Kemmons Wilson School. He is on the Board of Visitors and a Chair on the Advisory Committee, which coordinates what the school is doing in the industry. Flautt was involved in the Capital Campaign that raised the $3.5 million for scholarships that are now available for students in the program.
Flautt worked in franchise sales for Holiday Inn in the 1960's before and after his graduation. He went into business for himself in 1975 and came to develop and operate his own hotels like the San Destin Hilton and the Hawthorne Suites in Memphis, just to name a few.
"There are a lot of people like me that support the school and are looking for graduates to be managers in both the limited and full service hotels," Flautt said. "The program has great promise."
Flautt is providing internships and has people come and lecture for students.
Flautt pointed out that the need for this Kemmons Wilson program is so important because the industry has outgrown its management expertise. He said the industry is trying to get qualified people to manage from the first day instead of training people in house.
Flautt said he is very fortunate to be a part of this business and would tell prospective students how fun it is to be a part of the industry.
"It's fun to get up in the morning and go to work," he said. "If you like this kind of business it gets into you blood."
