Michigan Hospitality Student Summit connects students and industry professionals

On Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, Central Michigan University’s College of Business Administration hosted the second annual Michigan Hospitality Student Summit, hosted by the Hospitality and Tourism Association. This collaborative effort aims to bring together students   to gain a deeper understanding of the hospitality industry and the type of career paths they can pursue.  

The summit brought together students from Central Michigan University, Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Ferris State University, creating a dynamic space for collaboration and networking among future hospitality professionals.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet with other students from different universities, and see what they're learning in their hospitality programs," shared an attendee from Michigan State University. Beyond intercollegiate networking, the summit highlighted a strong presence of industry professionals. These experts participated in small group networking sessions and were able to provide students with personal advice and insight. 

Industry professionals see the summit as an opportunity to mentor emerging young professionals in the hospitality industry. “I'm looking forward to showcasing the many sides of the hospitality industry beyond food and beverage, including opportunities to work with corporations on franchise growth and management,” said Lexi Hunter who attended with Erin Scott—both business franchise consultants for Little Caesars.  

"This event is invaluable for schools to network and learn from each other. For the CBA, it's a chance to showcase our programs, highlight the value of a business degree in an often-overlooked industry, and demonstrate our commitment to providing exceptional networking opportunities for our students and faculty alongside other institutions and professionals. We appreciate MSU's leadership in creating this event,” said Blake Stambaugh, former president of the Central Michigan University Hospitality and Tourism Association.  

The Michigan Hospitality Student Summit aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world experience. By connecting students with peers and industry professionals, students gain valuable knowledge that can shape their academic and career aspirations.   

To learn more about the hospitality program and how to get involved, reach out to current HTA president Faith Schanck or faculty member Nick Hussein.