On Monday, September 25, faculty and staff from the Walker College of Business hosted 50 hospitality and tourism educators from regional high schools on the campus of Appalachian State University for a workshop in partnership with the NC Restaurant and Lodging Association (NCRLA) and the NC Hospitality Education Foundation (NCHEF).
The NCRLA Fall Educator Workshop provides a forum each season to collaborate and discuss industry trends and education. The 2017 event, which was held in Appalachian's Peacock Hall, featured speakers including educators and administrators from the NC Department of Public Instruction.
Speakers included Wright Tilley, Boone Area Tourism; Mandy Hines, NCRLA; Ed Phillips, Burke County Tourism; Chris Cavanaugh, Magellan Strategy Group; Amanda Lugenbell, Blowing Rock Tourism; RJ Bergman, The Umstead; Sarah Davis, Hickory Convention Center; and Ron Larsen.
The professional development opportunity was offered to NC ProStart, culinary arts, and hospitality teachers from around the state.
"This is a great opportunity to showcase the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at Appalachian to a group that advises prospecitve students," said Dana Clark, who leads Appalachian's hospitality program. "Appalachian is providing cutting edge information to top high school hospitality educators working with those students now."
Topics covered ranged from foodservice trends such as sustainability and public assembly venues to farm-to-table concepts and emerging technologies. From Appachian, Clark offered insight on possibilities for internships and partnerships with Appalachian, and Jonathan Carpenter, Assistant Director of Appalachian's Transportation Insight Center for Entrepreneurship, presented information on current entrepreneur education initiatives.
The two-day workshop also offered a tour of Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Linville Ridge Club, where participants viewed back of the house operations.