Professors in Residence

PIR Series  

The International School of Hospitality, Sports, and Tourism Management Professor in Residence series is designed to provide the students, faculty, and alumni with topical discussions on current events in the industry. As Director, Dr. John Niser explains, “In today’s ever-changing hospitality market, it is critically important to hear directly from industry experts on current trends and challenges, which better prepares our students to help address these challenges as they join the industry either through internships during their academic career or joining the workforce upon graduation”. The series is hosted by David Keys, FDU alumnus and industry professional with 30+ years of hospitality experience, and President of Hospitality Keys, a consulting firm specializing in driving top-line revenue and bottom-line results for hospitality clients. 

View Our Episodes:  

Episode 6 – Alan Steel, President and CEO at New York Convention Center Operating Corporation

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_jmdrckmb

Episode 5 – Alan Steel, President and CEO at New York Convention Center Operating Corporation

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_jmdrckmb

Episode 4 – The Role of Technology in COVID-19 Protocol Communications- a look behind the scenes

  • Guest Speaker, Sandra Angel, Web Services Architect, Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG)

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_wnii4lb4

Episode 3 – The Importance of Hotel Asset Management- bridging owners, operators, and hotel teams

  • Guest Speaker, Adam Tegge, Vice President of Asset Management-Ashford Hospitality Trust 

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_2c5lpecy

Episode 2 – Hotel Performance Trends: a discussion with Steve Hood of STR and the state of the industry today

  • Guest Speaker, Steve Hood, Senior VP Research for Smith Travel Research,  STR

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_n9ovjo3q

Episode 1 – The importance of tourism to the state of New Jersey and strategies to address the current and future focus on tourism.  

  • Guest Speaker, Jeff Vasser, Executive Director of NJ Division of Travel and Tourism 

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_cesf1zb8 

State of the Industry Event Series

Fairleigh Dickinson University’s Hospitality and Tourism Alumni Chapter hosts virtual educational events for alumni to be informed of the latest trends and updates within the industry.  

View Our Webinars: 

Webinar 1 – Hotel and Club Management

Guest Speakers:  David Keys, President, Hospitality Keys; Andy Rosuck, Area Director of Sales and Marketing, Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina and the Reach Resort; and Jack Vander Meulen, Food and Beverage Manager, Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_l6hpdwve

Webinar 2 – What’s Next in Events and Hospitality

Guest Speaker:  David Adler, Chairman, and Founder, BizBash

https://mediaspace.fdu.edu/media/t/1_m0gcevly

Professors in Residence Summer 2020

Over a six-week period, undergraduate hospitality students are participating in eight hours of virtual seminar delivered by eighteen experts to prepare themselves for their professional careers post COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the pandemic, our students were faced with the challenge of their internship opportunities being placed on hold until hospitality operations resume. We did not view this as a barrier for our students to complete their summer internships, instead, we created a virtual internship for them facilitated by “Professors in Residence”. Our Professors in Residence have volunteered their time to assist in the delivery of this alternative work experience course. Each week our Professors in Residence interview hospitality industry veterans to provide our students with current industry information.

Professors

  • John Burns, President, Hospitality Technology Consulting
  • David Keys, Vice President, Sales Operations, America’s, Hilton Worldwide
  • Michael Stutler, Guest Research Manager, Consumer Insights, Walt Disney World

Seminars and Guest Speakers

Facilitated by John Burns, President, HTC

Successfully Increasing Personalization in Hotel Communication and Service Delivery

  • Bob Magliozzi, Executive Vice President, Strategic Accounts, Cendyn
  • Monika Nerger, Group Global Chief Information Officer, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group
  • Andrew Rubinacci, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, Omni Hotels & Resorts

Setting Hotel Rates and Selecting Sales Channels During COVID-19 Crisis Recovery

  • Matt Bailey, General Manager, Montage Kapalua Bay Resort
  • Bonnie Buckhiester, President, Buckhiester Management

Facilitated by David Keys, VP, Hilton Worldwide

Planning for Recovery                                                                                                            

  • Tramaine Cooper, Senior Director, Full-Service Brands for Hilton, representing the Hilton, Curio, Doubletree, and Tapestry Brands
  • Kristen Richter, Senior Vice President, Revenue Management and Commercial Leader, Radisson Hotels
  • Mike Schugt, President, Taleo
  • Ben Space, Vice President, and Commercial Director, North America, Managed Full Service for Hilton

Interviewing in a New Market                                                                                                                                    

  • Martin Lowery, President, OpusVertex International LLC
  • Marian Volinek, Area Director, Sales and Marketing Director for Hilton Hotels

Facilitated by Michael Stutler, Guest Research Manager, Walt Disney World

Responding to Guest Feedback and Resolving Guest Situations                                                                 

  • Dan Cockerell, Cockerell Consulting Group
  • Nathan Hirini, Principle Entertainment Consultant

Guest Service and Hospitality Leadership Working Abroad                                                                            

  • Vince Angelo, General Manager, The Hilton at Resort World Bimini, Bahamas
  • Paul Gill, General Manager, Renaissance Hotel Pudong, Shanghai, China