Business School Establishes New Hospitality Leadership Institute

July 12, 2002

Pictured at the Tate Center for Entrepreneurship are graduates of the first Hospitality Leadership Development Institute. Business professor John Crotts (third from left) is the program's main organizer.

On May 22, twelve Lowcountry hospitality professionals completed the new Hospitality Leadership Development Institute established by the School of Business and Economics at the College of Charleston.

Presented the program’s First Graduate award was Kevin Eichman, Revenue Manager at the Westin Francis Marion Hotel.

The purpose of the Institute is to provide promising young managers of the Charleston’s hospitality industry a managerial educational opportunity designed to enhance their career development and professional growth; thereby improving employee commitment and retention. The program serves to lift the managerial qualities of all hospitality enterprises in the region and create a close working relationship among all junior level managers.

The six day program spanning three months focused on a progressive series of topics including “Improving Your Effectiveness as a Hospitality Manager,” “Managing the Guest Experience,” “Selling Change and Continuous Improvement within ones Organization.”

Sponsors of this first program were Kiawah Island Resort, Wild Dunes Resort, Westin Francis Marion Hotel, Embassy Suites- Convention Center, The Mills House Hotel and the Charleston Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“It is not often a group of people with such commitment to excellence and desire to move up are brought together for an event of this nature” says John Crotts. “The quality of the instructors and participants made it a truly beneficial experience for all concerned.”

###

Contact: Patrick Harwood
College Relations
(843) 953-2548
harwoodp@cofc.edu