From updated online courses and programs to new certifications, hospitality education is buzzing. Here is a roundup of the latest education and training news.
New Edition of AHLEI’s Facilities Textbook Shows How to Keep Properties Running Smoothly: To help keep properties running smoothly, AHLEI recently published a new, fourth edition of its Hospitality Facilities Management and Design textbook. Written by David M. Stipanuk, professor emeritus at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, the book provides readers with a solid foundation in planning, operating, and maintaining the equipment and systems needed by every lodging property. Topic areas include water, electric, heating and cooling, lighting, laundry, and safety/security systems, as well as renovation and capital projects. This revision includes new materials on green buildings, LEED certification, measurement tools for sustainability efforts, workplace safety statistics, indoor air quality, LEDs, elevator maintenance, Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, and renovation cost guidelines. Readers will also learn how to communicate effectively with hotel engineering personnel, how technology can streamline facilities operations, and how to address the needs of guests with concern for the environment. Jeanne Varney and Stephani Robson, both of whom currently teach at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, are contributing authors for this edition.
HSMAI Teams up with Florida International University for Hotel Revenue Optimization e-Course: The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International and the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Research at Florida International University have introduced RO2Win, an online revenue optimization course for hospitality professionals that trains a team to optimize every opportunity to increase hotel revenue. RO2Win presents concepts and tactics in an engaging format, using animations and in-depth interviews with experts. From sales and marketing to the on-property guest experience, RO2Win teaches team members the power of revenue optimization, cross selling, and upselling.
IEHA Announces New Online Certification Programs: The International Executive Housekeepers Association has updated the certification and testing platforms for its Professional Education Credentialing Program (PECP) to an online format. This update will significantly increase the ease and accessibility of the testing process, enabling individuals who wish to obtain their Certified Executive Housekeeper (CEH) and Registered Executive Housekeeper (REH) designation to do so from anywhere, at any time. PECP is a certification program for individuals in a management position overseeing cleaning duties. IEHA also offers a collegiate program with a total requirement of 60 semester credit hours.
UNG Announces Campaign to Establish Hardman Center: The University of North Georgia (UNG) plans to establish the Bill T. Hardman Center for Tourism and Hospitality as a unit of the university’s Mike Cottrell College of Business. UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs announced a $1.25 million campaign and a $100,000 lead gift from Donald and Nancy Panoz, founders of Château Élan Winery and Resort, to establish the center during a celebration held July 3 to honor Hardman and his work as Georgia’s first tourism director. The Center for Tourism and Hospitality will support experiences for students who wish to pursue careers in the hospitality and tourism industries as well as professionals in north Georgia who work in these fields. These opportunities will include internships and academic experiences for students, non-credit and certificates courses and workshops for industry professionals, and research and data analysis services relevant to the tourism industry.
New York Institute of Technology and Green Key Global Launch Experiential Hospitality Program: Green Key Global recently partnered with The Benjamin Hotel in New York City, the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), and the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) to launch the first experiential sustainable hospitality program with NYIT Hospitality Studies students. Under the supervision of Dr. Robert Koenig, director of NYIT Global Center for Hospitality Management, a team of 10 students collaborated with The Benjamin in the capacity of a small-group consulting team to assess the property’s environmental initiatives and assist in completing the Green Key Eco-Rating certification program. The students collected and analyzed data, strategized alternative eco-solutions, and delivered recommendations, which led to sustainability improvements and the awarding of a 4 Key Eco-Rating for The Benjamin. Green Key Global and NYIT will be continuing the program for the upcoming semester.
Hospitality Experts Create New Certified Hotel Concierge Credential: The International School of Hospitality (TISOH) with Les Clefs d’Or USA and the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) have created a Certified Hotel Concierge (CHCSM) credential, which is the result of their joint efforts to establish a global professional standard for hotel concierges. The certification training takes into account key trends shaping the profession, from the use of technology and the Internet to growing demand for personalized service, expectations of global and cultural awareness, and the need for diversity and multilingual talent. It also sets standards for ethics and risk management. The certification will be offered worldwide online as well as in live seminar format that will be available in early fall 2015.
