The Bay Region Hospitality SUCCESS three-day professional development forum for faculty and high school teachers was held on October 9 in Concord. This event was hosted by the Bay Region Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Deputy Sector Navigator Andrea Vizenor in partnership with the California Department of Education; Andrea brought together leaders in industry to train faculty and teachers on the latest innovations and skills essential for the Hospitality, Culinary and Tourism Industry. This event was filled with innovative and engaging training sessions that truly kept attendees wanting more!
With nearly 60 participants attending there was a variety of teachers and faculty from throughout the state, which included, local culinary teachers from Jefferson High School, Sequoia High School, Peninsula High School, and Mountain View High School. It was a wonderful opportunity to build even greater connections with our newly developed Hospitality and Tourism Management program at Skyline College.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn and identify the latest trends and online marketing strategies of fine-dining restaurants from Stephen Satterfield, a writer, sommelier, and media and hospitality specialist who currently works with NOPA Restaurant in San Francisco, along with Exceptional Guest Service training delivered by Emily Ellis, a hospitality professional with a wide array of experience who currently works as a Disney Institute trainer and consultant for the American Hotel and Lodging Association.
The line-up also included: an urban farm and teaching garden tour, hands-on culinary techniques training by 3 guest chefs from Bon Appetit at Google and a tour of the Hilton Concord with a behind the scenes look at the wonderful strategies in sustainability they have adopted in their social responsibility efforts.
The Bay Region Retail, Hospitality and Tourism “Learn and Earn” grant housed at Skyline College, has provided a platform to build the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program with extensive industry involvement, incredible student value, and the latest competencies and skills which are integrated into the program’s curriculum.
To learn more about this event please contact: Andrea Vizenor, Bay Region: Deputy Sector Navigator of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism at vizenora@smccd.edu
Article and photo by Elizabeth Tablan
