The Academy of Hospitality & Tourism Fuels the Industry with Local Talent

The demand for hospitality and tourism workers is growing throughout Grand Rapids/Kent County as the region continues to boost its national profile as a great place to visit, play work and live. Yet many local students remain unaware of the career opportunities available in this industry.

Experience Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Public Schools and Grand Valley State University came together to address these challenges through the founding of a local Academy of Hospitality & Tourism (AOHT).

Established at Ottawa Hills High School, which serves the south side of Grand Rapids, AOHT is supported by a national curriculum and is designed to connect the classroom to the workplace. Experiential learning projects and real-world application opportunities expose students to the fields of event management, recreation and attractions, lodging, food and beverage, sustainable tourism and more. The curriculum has received industry validation from the Global Travel and Tourism Partnership.

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Hospitality Superstars

There are 35 students enrolled in this year’s class, which is led by Lillie “Jan” McGregory, who says, “By instilling in students a love for hospitality and tourism, the empathy embedded in the industry, with an understanding of their role in making the world a better place, this program is helping to cultivate future leaders who will drive positive changes in their communities and beyond.”

AOHT is transforming the educational experience for many students who have limited access to the resources they need to succeed after high school ends and adulthood begins. By investing in these high school students, we are strengthening the local talent pipeline, further diversifying our industry workforce, attracting and retaining more engaged community members, and empowering young people to reach their full potential. This industry can change their lives – and their participation can help change Grand Rapids into a more welcoming and comfortable destination for everyone.

Experience Grand Rapids is proud to serve as a leading industry partner and advisory board for the Academy, collaborating with Grand Rapids Public Schools and other local entities to provide impactful opportunities and connections within the hospitality and tourism industry.

An Invitation to Savor & Soar

Experience Grand Rapids recently hosted Savor & Soar: A Hospitality Summit, bringing students and industry professionals together to engage with each other at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel. It was a day filled with exclusive, behind-the-scenes peeks into the inner workings of a luxurious hotel complex, a tour of a 4-star hotel’s commercial kitchen, an exploration of large-scale event planning and a dynamic panel discussion led by industry trailblazers.

The event culminated in a formal dinner at which students and their adult chaperones mingled with industry partners and visited resource tables staffed by local businesses looking to fill open job positions. For many, it was the beginning of a mutually rewarding professional relationship.

Our local AOHT students represent the future leaders of our vibrant hospitality community, and we are delighted to help foster their career ambitions.

If you’d like to know more about the Academy and how you can support it – and benefit from it – please reach out to us at engagement@ExperienceGR.com.