Hilton executives to visit hospitality and tourism management classes
The hospitality and tourism management (HTM) department of Virginia Tech's Pamplin College of Business will host ten executives of Hilton Hotels Corporation on Thursday, April 19.
The executives, led by Hilton Senior Vice President Patrick Terwilliger, will give lectures on various aspects of the hospitality industry, lead class discussions, listen to student presentations, and interact informally with the department's faculty and students at a reception and lunch.
The visit, dubbed "Hilton Day" by hospitality and tourism management department head Rick Perdue, offers "a great opportunity for our faculty and students to learn first hand from one of the most respected names in the hotel business," Perdue said.
The executives will participate in courses related to hospitality sales, food purchasing and production, lodging management, food and beverage management, finance, and human resource management, in addition to introductory courses on business and hospitality and tourism management. The group includes two area vice presidents, a senior sales manager, a recruiter, and directors of various programs.
"Our Hilton Day is an extension of our deep relationship with the Hilton Hotels Corporation, which includes joint teaching at our lodging and food and beverage management laboratories at The Inn at Virginia Tech, active involvement by Hilton executives on our HTM advisory board, numerous internships, and frequent campus visits by recruiters," Perdue said. "A number of our alumni are Hilton executives." The department organized a similar visit from Marriott International last fall, he said, and is planning future events with other industry partners.
Hilton Hotels Corporation, based in Beverly Hills, Calif., operates about 2,800 hotels in more than 80 countries worldwide. More than 2,300 hotels are owned, managed or franchised in the United States. The portfolio includes some of the best known and highly regarded hotel brands, such as Hilton, Conrad, Waldorf-Astoria, Doubletree, Embassy Suites, and Hampton Inn. The corporation also manages the Virginia Tech-owned Hotel Roanoke and The Inn at Virginia Tech and Skelton Conference Center.
