Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management

Carmel Boyer School of Business
(440) 260-4000

OVERVIEW

Interested in working in an exciting, fun and service oriented field? The hospitality, tourism and event management major is a versatile program that prepares students to become leaders in a variety of experience-oriented careers in hotels, restaurants, event venues, and destination attractions.

BW student with Olympics logo

The hospitality, tourism and event industries are growing rapidly with seven of the top 20 fastest growing industries in leisure and hospitality (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

If you’re interested in a career in hospitality, including attractions, destinations, events, travel, and more, the hospitality, tourism and event management major will help you to become a leader with strong management, financial, marketing and interpersonal skills that are necessary to succeed in this exciting career.

Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management in Cleveland

BW’s proximity to Cleveland offers students easy access to major hotel companies, a world-class convention center, event venues, a thriving restaurant scene, museums, major league sport franchises, a beautiful lakefront and several national tourist destinations. There are many opportunities for networking, internships and employment within the hospitality, tourism and event industries throughout Northeast Ohio.

BW hospitality students with Cleveland sign

Why Study Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management at BW?

BW’s experienced faculty work closely with you to personalize your experience in the major to best meet your goals. With an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, you can expect exceptional mentoring opportunities from professors who have years of industry experience.

With a degree in hospitality, tourism and event management, you will be able to seek out career opportunities anywhere you choose, whether that is in Northeast Ohio, across the U.S., or internationally. A few examples of career paths where BW alumni thrive:

Attraction Management
Casino Management
Catering Management
Club Management
Convention Management
Cruise Management
Destination Management and Marketing
Event Planning and Management

Hotel and Resort Management
Human Resources for Hospitality Businesses
Marketing, Public Relations, and Sales for Hospitality Businesses
Recreation and Tourism Management
Restaurant Management
Retail Management
Tour Management

CURRICULUM

Offered as a major and minor, hospitality, tourism and event management allows you to gain a comprehensive understanding through rigorous coursework and practical, hands-on learning opportunities.

BW faculty bring their professional expertise to the classroom. You'll learn from professors who have real-world insights and perspectives.

You’ll take a blend of business courses, including accounting, management, and marketing, in addition to specialized courses in customer experience, event management, tourism management and hotel operations. You will also complete a capstone internship where you can apply the material you learn in class, while gaining real industry experience.

Featured Courses

Customer Experience Management in Hospitality & Tourism
Facility and Event Management
Hospitality & Tourism Lodging and Operations
Hospitality & Tourism Marketing and Sales
Tourism in Recreation and Leisure

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions, requirements for the major and additional information can be found in the University Catalog.

STUDENT EXPERIENCES

Depending on your interests, you can choose from unique opportunities to visit industry sites, meet industry professionals, find internships, take experiential learning trips, get involved with student organizations or study abroad. Student organizations also offer the opportunity to travel with faculty to events such as the Super Bowl, conventions, festivals, and special events regionally and nationally.

Internships

A capstone internship is a requirement of the major and will provide you with hands-on industry experience. Past students have interned with companies such as Disney, Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Destination Cleveland, Cincinnati Reds, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, and Pro Football Hall of Fame Village to name a few.

Reds internship Disney internship

Experiential Learning Trips

BW students have spent time providing hospitality support on-location for events such as the Super Bowl, Masters Tournament, Kentucky Derby, and others. In addition, various courses will give you the opportunity to visit local hospitality venues and meet industry professionals to enhance your learning while providing networking opportunities.

BW students at Super Bowl

Student Clubs & Organizations

Personally and professionally rewarding, student organizations and activities foster skills in leadership and teamwork.

Digital Marketing Center

A hybrid between a class and an internship, BW's Digital Marketing Center is a student-run, experience-driven agency offering digital marketing expertise to local businesses. Students work with small businesses to develop effective, research-based inbound marketing strategy including website design, social media strategy, targeted digital content, automated email marketing plan and a marketing playbook. In addition to gaining portfolio-building, real-world experience and networking opportunities, students can earn certifications from digital marketing applications like HubSpot and Hootsuite. City of Berea grant funding is available.

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

Open to students of all majors, BW's SHRM chapter provides career-minded students with information on networking, interviewing skills, professionalism and more. Members participate in Ohio Human Resources Games, an outstanding opportunity to network with professionals across the state.

Sales Club

Through a dynamic lecture series, workshops and mentoring, the Sales Club prepares students for the workforce. Students learn tactical, persuasive skills and are presented with opportunities to network with industry professionals. These experiences provide a competitive advantage as students enter the job market.

Sport Management Club

A vibrant student-led organization open to hospitality, tourism and event management students to join and gain experience working large scale events. The Sport Management Club also sponsors educational programs, guest speakers, social activities and supports community and campus outreach programs.