September 25, 2008

Orlando CVB and UCF's Rosen College of Hospitality Partner for Tourism Job Shadow Day

ORLANDO - The Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. (Orlando CVB), in partnership with the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, will host the Fourth Annual Tourism Job Shadow Day for students. The Orlando CVB has organized members of the area's tourism industry to host inquisitive and career-oriented students in their workplaces from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 25, 2008.

Seventy-six Rosen College of Hospitality Management students will take part in the Job Shadow Day, nearly doubling the participants from 2007. Students were pre-screened by the Rosen College and matched to the employers that best suit their career interests. This program focuses on the industry and education working together to shape future hospitality leaders and highlight potential careers within the tourism industry. Students will be placed throughout Central Florida with employers such as the Orange County Convention Center, Loews Hotels and Walt Disney World Resort.

"There are some very exciting careers in the hospitality industry, making this a great time for students to pursue degrees at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management," said Gary Sain, president and CEO of the Orlando CVB. "Students will have the opportunity to be mentored by many of the top leaders in the hospitality industry and get an up close and personal look at the careers they may pursue after graduation."

Rosen College student Andrea Gonzalez, an Event Management major, who participated in last year's Job Shadow Day program explains: "I learned about corporate sales, events, convention services and resorts while shadowing the Vice President for Resort Sales and Services at Walt Disney World. It allowed me to observe and learn directly through a professional and leader in the event industry. The event industry is still a developing Industry and these professionals help set precedents for today's standards of quality and service," said Gonzalez.

Rosen College Dean Abraham Pizam said tourism is the largest industry worldwide. "It is an industry that promotes peace and understanding between people of all nationalities and, most importantly, Florida and Central Florida would not be what they are today without the tourism industry."

Tourism in Orlando directly employs 236,000 people and generated more than $31 billion in spending in 2007. It ranks first among the 20 major industry sectors measured by the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Orlando CVB is the official sales and marketing organization for the Orlando area responsible for generating brand awareness, increasing travel to the area and booking conventions and meetings. For more information, visit orlandoinfo.com/cvb.