Administrator, Author at Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Chaplin School Professor Wins Best Paper Award at Global Conference in Vietnam

Eunju Suh, Ph.D., hospitality management professor, recently attended the 20th Asia Pacific Tourism Association (APTA) Conference in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, where she presented a study entitled "Predicting Cross-Gaming Propensity Using CHAID Analysis" (Eunju Suh and Matt Alhaery). Using a data set of 14,120 casino customers, this study aimed to predict a player’s propensity to play different types of casino games. The Exhaustive Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detector (E-CHAID) method was employed to predict table game players’ slot play propensity and vice versa. The findings of this study will help marketers identify customers that are most likely to cross-play and maximize gaming revenues from more efficient and effective marketing actions. After a rigorous evaluation process of more than 100 papers presented during the conference, the selection committee conferred Dr. Suh with the Best Paper Award. Why was this topic important to you? With the expansion of the casino industry in the global casino market, marketers are looking for opportunities to generate more revenues and improve their player acquisition and retention methods. Hence, customer data to identify, segment and target potential and existing customers have become more important than ever. Analyzing gaming (casino play) data would enable marketers to better understand customer behavior and predict specific behaviors. While casino marketers would agree on the importance of customer data collection and data driven-marketing, in gaming literature, there has been relatively little effort focused on prediction and classification of customer behavior using the actual recorded gaming data of existing casino patrons. What innovative approaches did you employ in this study? Considering the lack of research on the topic of cross-gaming, this study provides a better understanding of players’ cross-gaming behavior while making a meaningful contribution to the pool [...]

Hospitality Students Recognized for Leadership and Community Service at National Conference

An FIU delegation made up of 12 students, including three hospitality management students, scored big at the 2014 FBLA-PBL National Leadership Conference held in Nashville, Tennessee from June 24 – 27. The students, who are all part of FIU's chapter of Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL), won in several categories against students from other nationally-renowned universities including Penn State, Rutgers University, and the University of California-Berkley, among others. Three of the twelve awards presented at the conference were won by hospitality management students Caroline Scher, Noelle Belli, and Gedma Estrada. Senior Gedma Estrada, placed third for the Local Chapter Annual Business Report category and in the Future Business Executive category. The students' community service project placed second in the entire nation and was especially gratifying because of its mission. The project was coordinated with the JAM Foundation, an organization that focuses on raising awareness of teen suicide, depression, bullying, self-harm and eating disorders. "This project was a huge success not only because of the monetary donation we were able to make, or because of the many students we were able to reach, but because we helped deliver a message to that one student who could have committed to something irreversible,” said Gedma Estrada. The students sold merchandise, collected donations, and led a general session at Miami Sunset Senior High to inform students about the signs of depression. Through their combined efforts, they were able to raise enough funds to present two seniors at the high school who were in some way impacted by suicide with $1,500 scholarships. The FIU chapter of FBLA-PBL also earned recognition in the following areas: 3rd Best Chapter in the Nation Power of One Recognized School Outstanding PBL [...]

Wine Spectator Restaurant Management Lab Wins Technology Integration Award

Students at the Chaplin School have access to some of the most innovative learning spaces for hospitality management education.

Badia Spices Launches Global Sales of Student-Winning Formula

While student achievements can often be represented by gilded awards, certificates, and plaques, it is rare for the entire world to be able to taste it.

Chaplin School Establishes Carnival Gold Scholars Program with $400,000 Donation from Carnival Foundation

FIU's Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management recently received $400,000 from Carnival Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Carnival Corporation, to provide full scholarships to five qualifying students. "Carnival Foundation has been a long-time supporter of our school and of the South Florida community. This generous gift allows us to continue attracting and retaining top students. We are extremely thankful for our ongoing partnership," said Mike Hampton, dean of FIU's Chaplin School. Dubbed the Carnival Gold Scholars program, it awards renewable scholarships, including room and board, of up to $20,000 for each incoming freshman planning to study hospitality or tourism management. The scholars are chosen based on volunteerism and proven leadership qualities, self-discipline, and advanced communication skills. As part of the award, the recipients will participate in study abroad experiences while at FIU. The first group of Carnival Gold Scholars include Marvah Benjamin, Kristen Linton, Erick Magloire, Andrea Martinez-Bustamante, and Kandys Temes. "This scholarship will allow me to receive the best hospitality management education possible. In this career path, the possibilities are endless. I am very grateful to Carnival Foundation for investing in me and my academic development," said Temes. The FIU Chaplin School's ties with Carnival Foundation stretch back to 2008, when the company pledged a gift toward the existing Carnival Student Center that opened in 2011 at the Biscayne Bay Campus. The center serves as a hub where students meet to study and develop business relationships and where the school hosts industry roundtables, employer visits, recruitment activities, and job readiness training, among other activities. "One of Carnival Foundation's primary goals is to help youth further their education, and through our FIU partnership we're honored to affect the lives of many deserving students. In [...]

Jennifer Massie Wins 2014 Tourism Cares Scholarship Award

Jennifer Massie, a senior at the Chaplin School, was named as the winner of the 2014 ASTA Stan and Leone Pollard Scholarship, part of the Tourism Cares Academic Scholarship Program, in May 2014. The award committee recognized Jennifer as an exemplary representative for the future of the travel, tourism, and hospitality industries. Tourism Cares awards up to 50 academic scholarships annually ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, for a total of up to $70,000. The scholarships benefit high school, undergraduate, or graduate students in travel, tourism, or hospitality related programs of study at accredited schools within the U.S. and Canada. “I chose a career in the hospitality industry because I have a passion for connecting with others and to please people by delivering outstanding service,” Massie said. “With the support offered by this scholarship, I have the opportunity to improve my skills set to shape me into a professional who helps others have an inspirational travel experience that encourages personal growth and knowledge about the world .” In addition to the her cash award, Jennifer will attend the Tourism Cares Student Mentoring Program at the NTA/UMA Travel Exchange in New Orleans in January 2015. She will also have the opportunity to attend a travel, tourism, and hospitality conference and be mentored by professional tour operators, tour suppliers, and destination marketing executives. “I’ve been able to observe Jennifer’s strong determination for academic excellence as well as a distinct passion for travel and tourism. She is driven and very motivated, with a kind, thoughtful, and outgoing personality that I think will take her very far,” remarked Dr. Nancy Del Risco, Jennifer’s travel and tourism professor. Jennifer transferred to FIU from the University of Central Florida in 2013. She is enrolled in the Chaplin School's [...]

Alumni Get a Taste of What Students are Brewing at FIU

Thirsty anglers and fishing aficionados got a refreshing taste of the latest brew by students from the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at the FIU Alumni Annual Scholarship Fishing Tournament held this weekend at the Sea Isle Marina and Yachting Center in Miami. The event has raised more than $100,000 for the Alumni Scholarship Fund since it launched in 2002. By all accounts, the American Lite Ale style beer, created by students in the Introduction to the Brewing Process course, was a cheering success. But pouring fun is not the lesson here for the hospitality management students, according to Chaplin School professor Dr. Barry Gump. The course is an elective designed to provide students with a comprehensive look at the beverage-production industry and expose them to the science and the business, so they can become the future innovators, the leaders and entrepreneurs. “It has been exciting working with my students and instructing them on how to brew beer. Some of our former students have moved past the home-brew stage and are now professionals in the brewing industry,” said Dr. Gump. The proliferation of the craft-beer industry throughout the U.S., especially in South Florida, has caught the eye of many lately, but FIU has been an industry leader in South Florida way before the craze. Students at the Chaplin School are now conducting experiments, using never-before-thought-of ingredients for beers, and achieving successes with many in different styles of beer, from light beers to full-bodied stouts with varying alcohol levels. They have even created and developed a beer festival as a class project. The South Florida BrewFest, now going on its third year, is scheduled for November 22, 2014. Earlier this year, the Chaplin School announced [...]

10-Year Anniversary of the FIU Marriott Tianjin China Program

The Chaplin School recently celebrated a 10-year educational partnership with the Tianjin University of Commerce (TUC) in Tianjin, China. FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg and Dean Mike Hampton were part of a delegation that traveled to China to commemorate the decade-long relationship during the spring graduation ceremony in May. The Marriott Tianjin China Program was established in 2004 and it is currently FIU’s largest program abroad, with a capacity of up to 1,000 students. Through the Chaplin School, FIU maintains an exclusive relationship with TUC in which students and faculty can engage in dialogue and international exchanges to share information, ideas, and knowledge. Learn More about the Marriott Tianjin China Program Photo: Annie Wu Suk-ching receives the FIU Medallion for her significant leadership in the Chinese hospitality industry from FIU President Mark B. Rosenberg on May 18.

Hospitality Alumni Staying Connected at Reception in Chicago

Chaplin School deans and alumni gathered at a hospitality alumni reception in Chicago earlier this month on May 9. The event, which was hosted by Ed Mugnani '91 (second from right), took place during the 2014 National Restaurant Association Show and provided a great opportunity for Panthers and the Chaplin School to reunite. Alumni are always invited to stay in touch with the Chaplin School. Join the hospitality alumni mailing list or update your profile to learn about upcoming events from Dean Rocco Angelo. Join/Update Mailing List Photo, from left to right: John Saccomano Knute Gregory Rocoo Angelo, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Associate Dean, Alumni Thomas Hall Mike Hampton, Chaplin School Dean Ed Mugnani, Senior Vice President, Eurest-Western Division Curt Kessler

The Chaplin School Offers Real Estate Specialization in On-Site Graduate Program

Currently enrolled and prospective graduate students at the Chaplin School can now specialize in the growing field of hospitality real estate. The Real Estate Specialization provides graduate students an in-depth look at hospitality real estate development from concept to planning, including investment analysis, financing techniques, asset management, and much more. As the industry evolves from an owner-operator model to the more complex model of third-party ownership and investment, development, and management, students in this specialization will gain the crucial knowledge and skills needed to succeed in this booming field. Students should plan their schedules wisely for this specialization as course offerings vary by semester. The three additional courses are as follows: HMG 6607 Real Estate Development (only offered in the fall, prerequisite is Feasibility Studies) HMG 6429 Asset Management (only offered only in spring) HMG 6486 Investment Analysis for the Hospitality Industry (offered in the spring, prerequisite is Real Estate Development) In the program, there is room for one elective. One of the three additional courses required can be taken using elective credits. For more information and to sign up, contact Delio Morato at 305.919.4774.

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