Briefly describe your job and responsibilities.
The job encompasses making sure the 120+ staff have what they need to create a fantastic guest experience.

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
For me, the fun on a typical day is helping others on the team think through the most pressing challenge. The other fun is brainstorming with any member of the team who wants to help make improvements. Lastly - planning the next three projects.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
First job in hospitality was at age 14 - yard work at the Fireside Café. My sister Sharon was a server and she "volunteered" me. Cut the grass and pick up garbage. Pay was bad but the food was good.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
Every day when I wake up? This is a great profession to be in for those who like working with friendly outgoing people. 

Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
Started a catered canoe company called "Trip's Down the Delaware" while going to college. In 1980 I became my Fraternity's House Steward - the job was to make sure Chef Angelo Ortiz had everything he needed to get a standing ovation from the Brothers after dinner was served.

I became a banker after college, for 9 years 364 days. Left banking to start Barley Creek Brewing Company. Raised Private Equity. Arranged Bank Loans. Secured Industrial Development Authority Low interest financing. Bought a building (essentially at a Sheriff sale). Built Northeast Pennsylvania's first Brewpub since prohibition. Added a Distillery, Tasting Room, Catering and Event Planning and more to follow!

What is your favorite part of your job?
The people in this industry. Really good, hard working, salt of the earth people who make this industry rewarding.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Figuring out the best way to help members of the team succeed, even the ones who may not know what that feels like.

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
Learn something about your industry every day. Get to know your co-workers. Bring ideas back from your travels. Have fun - even if the task at hand is not one would normally consider fun. 

What achievement are you most proud of?
My ability to convince Eileen Mckeegan to marry me! Then there's the three talented kids...Kelly, Jay & Kyler.

What do you like to do outside of work?
Play Hard - Ski - Golf - Travel and borrow ideas from really great independent operators.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
Fan of BBQ - have enjoyed reading about "the right heat" - "the right seasonings / sauce" - But the real fun with food is the company you share it with. 
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What's at the top of your bucket list?
Helping others figure out how to succeed in this industry.​

Briefly describe your job and responsibilities.
As Executive Director of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau PHLDiversity, I am responsible for developing and implementing plans, strategies and initiatives specifically designed to raise Philadelphia’s image as a diverse multicultural destination leading to hotel room nights and economic impact for the region.

PHLDiversity is a division of the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PHLCVB) the official Tourism Promotion Agency for the City of Philadelphia globally. PHLDiversity works to increase Philadelphia's share of the diverse/multicultural meetings and tourism markets.

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
Working with the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau team to secure diverse meeting and conventions. Also attending meetings with corporate and community leaders to learn of Philadelphia priorities and collaboration opportunities. Finally Networking, Networking and Networking.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
Cook in a hoagie shop.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
When in college at Johnson & Wales University.

Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
TOURISM DIVERSITY MATTERS
Executive Director
PHILADELPHIA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU – PHLDiversity
Executive Director
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY- Fox School of Business
Managing Director Business Development
TEMPLE UNIVERSITY- School of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Senior Director of Corporate Relations
PHILADELPHIA OIC - Opportunities Inn
General Manager
KORMAN COMPANY
Assistant General Manager (Director of Operations)
INNS OF DISTINCTION
Assistant General Manager
PRIME MOTOR INNS
Assistant General Manager
SHERATON HOTEL CORPORATION
Assistant Executive Housekeeper
OMNI HOTELS CORPORATION
Front Office Manager, Rooms Division Manager and Executive Housekeeper
HYATT HOTEL CORPORATION
Assistant Executive Housekeeper, Assistant Front Office Manager and Corporate Management Trainee

What is your favorite part of your job?
Creative collaborations and networking.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Limited finances.

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
Always deliver your BEST, have a thirst for knowledge and don't be afraid to take a risk.

What achievement are you most proud of?
Delivering a positive Diversity, Equity and Inclusion impact in the Tourism and Hospitality industry.

What do you like to do outside of work?
Cooking.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
Fried chicken.
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What's at the top of your bucket list?
Writing a book!

Briefly describe your job and responsibilities.
Co-owner of local scratch bakery. Scheduling, food ordering and delivery, food prep organization/planning. Opening and closing of bakery. Menu planning for week, month, and special occasions.

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
We begin prepping/baking about 2 hours before doors open. We follow a solid plan of bread baking followed by filling the shop with desserts prepared the day before and continue baking throughout the day to refill and prepare for the following day.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
Externship for culinary school at Philadelphia Downtown Marriott. Very intense and grueling, but rewarding experience.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
The moment I started school. My first day was terrifying and thrilling all at the same time. Once I made the decision to start school I have never looked back.

Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
I attended HACC after high school and continued as an art history major at Temple University. The beginning of my senior year I made the decision to drop out. Later that year my sister (who may have been worried I needed direction in my life) had me attend an open house at The Restaurant School. I was hooked the moment they began to talk - I owe it to my sister to see that I had a talent for something I did not really know you could make a career out of.

What is your favorite part of your job?
The physical work. I enjoy having a list and getting it all done properly. Working so closely with customers there is instant feedback, and you get to see people really enjoy and appreciate something you have created. I have also been very lucky to meet and work with some very awesome people.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
As a business owner it is assessing how much food to prepare. Since we are small and bake 80% of our food fresh daily it is important that we have enough product to please customers, but not so much that there is too much waste at the end of the day. We do not sell many of our items the second day.

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
It can be so rewarding, but you need to really ask yourself what path you are interested in taking. Corporate baking/pastry can take you all over the world and introduce you to so many aspects of the profession, but the hours can be long and grueling. It is a physically demanding job, so if working for 10 hours on your feet doesn't sound like fun, it may not be the best plan. It is very important to be excited and to love baking, but it is not all cupcakes and creating. It is daily chores and tasks that you do over and over. 

What achievement are you most proud of?
I have a lot of little things I am proud of - even just handing someone a fresh, beautifully baked croissant makes me sooooo happy. Absolutely it would be opening a bakery with my partner. I never planned on having my own space. It was never a path I was interested in. Now I cannot imagine not doing this! I do believe the path I took brought me to this point. There is no way I could have accomplished this earlier in my career

What do you like to do outside of work?
Typical mom - spend time with my kids and husband. I read a lot and run.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
I love pasta. I do not make fresh pasta very often, but I really like to try different sauces. 

What's at the top of your bucket list?
To travel. Like so many people in our profession I really want to visit Italy and Spain. However, I am really drawn to visiting more of our own country, so we have been planning all the different places we would like to see here at home like the pacific northwest.
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Want to learn more about career opportunities in the hospitality industry? Casey will be one of four panelists on a virtual discussion hosted by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association and the ACF Harrisburg Chapter, which will provide students a view of the careers that are available to them in the hospitality industry. Register to join us on May 12 at 6 PM: https://bit.ly/3vv3myd

Briefly describe your job and responsibilities.
I am the founder and sole employee of The Venue Specialist. I research and establish relationships with venues and other Philly area event vendors to be able to match clients with venues that are perfect for their event.
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What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
Each day is different, but during the pandemic it's been webinars, industry and venue research to stay up to date, and carving out time for social media.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
My very first job was at a deli when I was 16 years old. I enjoyed working in the food industry, so the next job I had was as a hostess then waitress at a restaurant.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
The year after college, I waited tables at a fine dining restaurant. We had the capacity to host private parties, which included weddings. I enjoyed working the events, and especially enjoyed being able to work as the assistant to the Event Coordinator. That was a huge turning point for me.

Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
My undergrad is from Drexel in Marketing. After my 3 co-ops, I knew I wanted to spend as little time as possible in a cubicle and I did not want to work for a massive company. After college, I waited tables for a year, and then I taught English in Germany for a year. When I returned to Philly from Germany, I tried to get a job in the events world, but I had a very difficult time getting my foot in the door. I ended up taking a cubicle job at a large company and immediately started applying to grad schools. I was accepted into Temple's Tourism and Hospitality Management program, which I absolutely loved. I did all of my research in the craft beer industry, which led to an internship with a local brewery and a full-time job after graduation. I spent the next 7 years working and teaching in the beer industry, but a few years ago needed a break. I wanted to stay in the Tourism and Hospitality Management field, but I wasn't sure what was next. I spent a few months both self reflecting and reconnecting with friends and colleagues from over the years, trying to figure out how I could use my talents doing something that I enjoyed, and of course make a living! I recognized the difficulty that people had in finding the right venue for their event, more specifically for weddings, and I just started running with the idea of being a venue specialist. Once I came up with the idea, I started asking friends who were already married if they would have paid someone to have found their wedding venue for them, as opposed to them doing all of the research and contacting themselves. The response was overwhelming, and I realized that I had a great idea for a business!

What is your favorite part of your job?
So many elements! I love working with the venues and cultivating relationships with other event industry colleagues. I love being able to problem solve and think outside of the box to offer my clients suggestions and solutions that they wouldn’t have arrived at on their own.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Finding clients! Since the concept of a venue specialist is relatively unknown, potential clients who are frustrated in their venue search don't know they can pay someone to do the work for them. It's a lot of work to get the word out about the services I offer!

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
Everyone has their own path, so even though the door to working in the events world wasn't open for me before, I found another door. Whatever you decide to do today, doesn't have to be what you are doing 5 years from now. Just keep learning and networking and find out what you are truly good at and passionate about, and that's what will drive you.

What achievement are you most proud of?
The implementation of our elopement and micro wedding packages - our COVID 2020 pivot. I'm absolutely loving working with these smaller weddings!

What do you like to do outside of work?
Travel and explore other parts of the world, enjoy adventures with my husband and dog.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
I love sandwiches!

What's at the top of your bucket list?
Traveling to Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand.

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
I sell social and corporate parties for my venue through servicing inquiries, cold calls and networking.
It’s a lot of time on the phone going through event details, building out contracts, and making event dreams come true!

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
A server when I was 16.

When did you know this industry was right for you?
I tried working in other industries and I hated how stuffy and monotonous it was. I crave the excitement and human interaction this industry gives me. Plus, I'm a hospitable person by nature, so I love giving people a great experience.
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Briefly describe your career path and how you got to where you are today.
I was a server and bartender throughout my 20s. Eventually, I craved a more stable paycheck, so I transitioned to a management position. From there, I fell in love with sales and marketing, and dedicated myself to the event sales sector of the hospitality industry. There are more typical hours (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm) which gives me a great work life balance, although I still crave the night life from time to time.

​What is your favorite part of your job?
Making connections with people! I love knowing that I am someone's go-to contact for events or partnerships. Like I said before, I want everyone to have a great experience when they are working with me, so if I can make someone's life easier, my job is done.

What is the most challenging part of your job?
Meeting sales goals will always be a challenge because there can be external reasons why certain groups aren't returning, or we aren't seeing the same business month after month. However, it's what makes the job fun.

What advice would you give to students interested in your profession?
Make connections! This is a tight knit industry full of professionals that want to help, so go out and meet people. Make yourself known. Be prompt with responses, and people will love working with you.

What achievement are you most proud of?
I was recognized in my company as a Rising Star in my first year- that's when I knew I found a home!

What do you like to do outside of work?
Bar hopping, hiking, playing video games, hanging out with my husband and dog. I'm a reality TV addict.

What is your favorite food to make or eat?
Mac and cheese.

What's at the top of your bucket list?
Travel more. I'm crossing Belize off my list this year, and I hope to do Machu Picchu soon.

What was your first job in the hospitality industry?
I worked as a prep cook in a small restaurant after failing out of college.

What does a "typical" day at work look like for you?
My days can be so much fun! I typically start and end my day with desk work and emails. I then plan for the day and make any adjustments to schedules or processes needed for any of the different profit centers under my care. I usually am working a station somewhere during our lunch rush. This could include anything from cooking to pulling shots of espresso or bussing tables. Throw in a few meetings throughout the day and that pretty much completes it.
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When did you know this industry was right for you?
I knew this was the correct choice after working in the industry for a few years and committing to go to culinary school. I loved the challenges and camaraderie of the kitchens.