Alumni Spotlight

Gina Salerno

What brought you to TISOH?

The Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association.

What is your professional background?

I began my career as a Concierge & Front Desk Agent at the Prestige Club Lounge at The Venetian Resort. I created meaningful itinerary arrangements for guests, managed hotel inventory & reservations, and oversaw operations of the Lounge. From that point, I moved into Event Management within the Groups setting.

What are you doing now?

I am currently an Event Manager at The Venetian Resort. I facilitate food & beverage, audio/visual, room setup, meeting space, and room blocks for social events and large tradeshows/conventions such as AWS, Money20/20, SHOT SHOW, Adobe Summit, CES, and many more.

What was your favorite school memory?

My favorite school memory was the business plan presentation day. It was insightful to explore each student’s individual business and witness their passion for their craft.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Always strive to be better at your craft today than yesterday. Challenge yourself to learn as much as you can and take every opportunity to grow. The hardest challenges faced in your career will always leave you stronger.

If you have any other achievements or announcements you would like us to incorporate, please share below:

I am looking forward to presenting and sharing my business plan with senior leadership at The Venetian next week. I am confident that the knowledge acquired during my time at TISOH will be beneficial to the property and my department. In the future I intend on furthering my education to strengthen my skillset in the Hospitality industry at TISOH and UNLV.

Sonya Moua

What brought you to TISOH?

I came to TISOH to obtain an education that will allow me to start my career in the hospitality industry!

What are you doing now?

I am currently a Sales Account Manager at Destinations By Design. I am the right hand for a National Sales Manager creating event programs for clients. 

What is DBD like?

Incredibly creative family of professionals. Dreamers, thinkers, and creators.

What was your favorite school memory?

My favorite school memory was right here on campus. I had a great time in class studying next to students who were here for the same goal. Group study for quizzes was also my favorite along with the support from the wonderful instructors. 

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to enter the industry?

I would tell alums not to give up and to know their strength and weaknesses. Be kind and patient with yourself and to others for it is not an easy industry to be in. Expand your circle with networking. 

Kelci Balkcom

What brought you to TISOH?

I was absolutely enamored by the thought of becoming an event planner and a friend of mine had a client who went to TISOH and highly recommended it! I’m so glad someone mentioned it to me otherwise I wouldn’t have known what I was missing!

What are you doing now?

I am doing event sales for Atomic Golf – a new golf entertainment venue opening in November!

What will Atomic Golf be like?

Atomic Golf is an interactive golf entertainment complex filled with good food, good energy, and good times. This will be a place where you can golf “untucked”, laugh and get loud playing a game built to be quiet. Atomic Golf is where all forms and fashions in golf can swing and be free.

What was your favorite school memory?

Definitely all of the site tours we were able to go on and internships that we had the opportunity to fulfill – there is nothing more valuable!

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Open every door that you can. Make connections, FOLLOW up with people! Keep in touch on social media (LinkedIn, etc). You NEVER KNOW where a connection might lead you!

Emily Hall

What brought you to TISOH?  

I was referred by a friend who worked at Venetian. She provided interesting details about the externship program.

What are you doing now?  

I am a Talent Acquisition Manager with Destinations by Design. Hired on as a Human Resources Administrator and promoted within 6 months due to strong performance and organizational impact. I currently manage staffing needs, on-boarding / off-boarding processes, and employee engagement. Destinations by Design provides destination management, event, and design services. We are known for exceptional design and production of customized décor.

What was your favorite school memory?

My favorite memories of TISOH were touring hotels such as Mandalay Bay, Treasure Island, Venetian, Palazzo, Lucky Dragon to name a few. Enjoying the spectacular views of presidential suites and sampling a taste of fine dining. The Wyndham and Top Golf tours during the Externship program really helped in my decision making to venture into Human Resources. I received great mentorship and guidance and fought through some challenges in building my new career.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

I’m fiercely passionate about being a positive influence in the lives of others, helping others grow into their dream role and career. It took over a year after I graduated to really start my career in the Hospitality Industry. Whatever you decide to do in life, stay encouraged in pursuing your passion. As a mentor once shared, “If you receive a NO, remember NO means Next Opportunity”!

Did you know?

Destinations by Design is the premier destination management company in Las Vegas with over 30 years of operational excellence. The CEO, hospitality veteran executive Harvey Stern, serves on the TISOH Advisory Board. DBD has many TISOH alums on staff and is a great place to build a hospitality career!

Rachel Centeno

What brought you to TISOH?  

I found myself working in hospitality after high school and quickly realized I had a real passion for it. At the time my role was in food and beverage, but I was very intrigued by the wedding and events world. I began researching school options to learn more about the industry and quickly came upon TISOH. After touring the school, I knew that I had to attend. Before even stepping foot into my first class, I could tell that TISOH matched my same passion, and it was a perfect fit. It was exactly what I had been looking for to continue my education.

What are you doing now?

Currently I am the events manager at The Retreat on Charleston Peak, right outside of Las Vegas, Nv. We host everything from corporate to social events and we specialize in beautiful, rustic weddings, set in the scenic Mount Charleston area. In my role I get to work with clients from the contracting stages all the way up to the coordination and execution of the event – it’s a total dream job.

What was your favorite school memory?

I truly have SO many amazing memories while attending TISOH however I would have to say my favorite was the opportunity to connect with my fellow students. I feel so fortunate to have been able to attend classes in person and get the chance to learn alongside others with the same dreams and goals as I had. I have made connections to last a lifetime – the experience was life changing for me.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Don’t be afraid to go after new opportunities, even if they scare you a little. The hospitality industry is so broad, and you really never know where new passions can ignite.

Rachel Bowman

What brought you to TISOH?

I decided to join TISOH because I wanted a place to meet other event planners interested in networking and growing their careers specifically in the hospitality industry.  I know TISOH provided that hands on learning experience because my instructors were actual event planners in the field. I was enrolled in both Conference Management & Event Planning program and Hospitality Marketing & Sales program at TISOH back in 2018.

What are you doing now?

I recently got promoted from Private Event Coordinator at Ellis Island Casino to Corporate Special Events Coordinator for all Village Pubs, Mount Charleston and Ellis Island Casino. As an event planner, I juggle many tasks such as negotiating contracts, securing party vendors, and communicating back and forth with my clients. Whether I am planning a business function or a full-scale corporate event, my goal is to creating amazing experiences to meet the needs of my business clients.

What was your favorite school memory?

Being able to go visit different properties including Champagne Creative. These site visits were really inspiring because it opened my eyes on how these event planners deliver those wow moments for any of their client’s special occasions. I learned that being in the event industry, you have to be flexible and creative to plan events.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

It is so important to keep active in the hospitality networking events. Meeting people and volunteering for all kind of events really helped me with deciding what kind of events I was interested in. I got to meet all kinds of amazing people along the way who helped guide me and strengthen my skill sets.

Matthew Beretich

What brought you to TISOH?

I was initially drawn to TISOH in hopes of completing their Art of Concierge Certificate. For me, this was an overwhelmingly positive experience. Due to the pandemic like many others in the industry, I lost my job. With no other immediate opportunities available, I decided to use the time to further my education. That being said, TISOH provided me with a diverse program encompassing many facets of the business. Being able to complete my courses online, and out of state, was a huge benefit to me personally.

What are you doing now?

I have most recently accepted the role of Concierge Manager at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad, CA.

What was your favorite school memory?

My favorite memory would be my sense of accomplishment upon receiving my diploma.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

My advice to all aspiring alumni would be first, never attach yourself to a single brand or company. You never know what opportunity could be waiting around the corner. Second, utilize every opportunity to meet someone new as a potential network who might be of service to you in the future.

Japheth Munywoki

1. What brought you to TISOH?

I found out about TISOH when I was looking for a good reputable international school offering a personalized training in hospitality. I was at the time working as a Chief Concierge and wanted really to have an international certification.

2. What are you doing now?

My certificate in Art of Concierge was a great move as I went to achieve my Golden Keys from Les Clefs d’Or, a professional association of hotel concierges from around the world. I am currently the Chief Concierge for the Intercontinental Hotel in Nairobi.  

3. What was your favorite school memory?

The personalized training with industry professionals along with creating lasting connections with other concierges from different parts of the world.

4. What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

To all fellow alums, I can tell you all to keep your dreams alive, always work on self-progression, and take any opportunity for learning and growth. TISOH is a great school for anyone looking for a chance to better their skills in hospitality.

Briahna Jones

What brought you to TISOH? 

One of my mother’s coworkers attended TISOH about a year before I started attending classes and it sparked an interest in me to apply and see where it led. I’ve been emersed in the industry ever since.

What are you doing now? 

I am currently a sales coordinator at Destinations by Design making magic happen daily!

What was your favorite school memory? 

The externships! I’ve never really planned events prior to attending TISOH. So, it was an amazing experience to assist other DMCs and event planning companies throughout the valley and seeing the process of setting up events, connecting with the guests/attendees, as well as taking the lead on certain projects.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry? 

Network and attend as many events as possible. The hospitality industry is a lot smaller than you think. I’ve encountered so many people who’ve worked with prior employers or are close friends with managers I’ve worked with. If you’re not sure where to start, TISOH hosts a lot of networking events throughout the year.

Did you know?

In operation since 1990, Destinations by Design provides high-quality destination management, event, and design services to the incentive and corporate markets. Their recent clients include a large number of Fortune 500 companies, as well as, many of the major hotels and casinos in Las Vegas. Their mission is, first and foremost, to do things right. There are no second chances. DBD prides itself in promising and delivering creative, consistent solutions and excellent customer service. Their leaders have the experience, dedication, and direction to ensure that everyone at DBD has the tools and knowledge to exceed their clients'​ expectations.

Harvey Stern, CEO of Destinations By Design, also serves on the TISOH Advisory Board, where he shares his many years of wisdom and industry experience. Their Las Vegas campus is impressive by any measure of the imagination.

Monica Margeretis

1. What brought you to TISOH?

I am a creative person so naturally I’ve always been drawn to making things beautiful. I was also going through a discovery phase in my early twenties while I decided what to do and who to become. I knew I wanted to do something exciting and go to a school that incorporated all those things!

2. What are you doing now?

I am currently a private chef in Las Vegas specializing in meal prep and Vegan food. This year I am on a new venture to expand my business by reaching the masses with fresh food vending!

3. What was your favorite school memory?

I loved the insider tours, the volunteering events, and meeting new like minded people.

4. What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Go for it! If there’s a spark in you that is curious, take it as a sign from the universe to follow that dream. Hospitality is a very rewarding field. There’s no business like it! Everyday is a new day. You will learn a ton, see and experience new things, and meet new people often - which is great for building business relationships! Soak it up! Don’t be shy! Make friends! And make the most of it!

Jami Jones

What brought you to TISOH?

Performing in the entertainment industry had captivated and employed me for close to

twenty years. I had organized and produced some small events, and found the same thrill I

experienced dancing on stage. Some of my other colleagues in the entertainment industry

had studied at TISOH, and highly recommended it as a source for more knowledge about

event management.

What are you doing now?

After graduating from TISOH, I retired from the stage, continued my education in

event and project management, and landed into an amazing company still within

the entertainment industry. Currently, I am working as the Director of Front of

House Operations for Spiegelworld’s Atomic Saloon. Spiegelworld has brought

years of laughter to the Strip with their shows, including Absinthe and Opium. It

has been a pleasure to be with the company in opening the Atomic Saloon Show in

2019 and continue forward with them as they grow.

What was your favorite school memory?

While attending TISOH there were many moments that stood out to me. Our field

trip to the Wynn was of special interest for me since I was first relocated to Las

Vegas in 2006 as a dancer in the Wynn show, Le Reve. When I was with Le Reve

and we onboarded at the Wynn, we needed to do a training course which included

some hospitality even though we were performers. I did not fully understand what

that training course at the Wynn was teaching us until I started working in Special

Events. I have a lot of respect for the operations of the Wynn property and

enjoyed seeing it years after I had settled into Vegas through a different

perspective.

I am also a big fan of event atmosphere, and in my opinion, lighting can make or

break an event mood. I enjoyed having discussions and demonstrations on lighting

while attending TISOH.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the

hospitality industry?

Often folks settle for something that was not what they were reaching for. If we

truly believe in our full potential, others will also believe in us, allowing doors of

opportunity to open. It’ is important to keep up our confidence amid challenges

while also continuing to hold the utmost respect for our teammates, whether we

agree with some of their opinions or not. Collaboration will always improve a

situation.

Hope Bellueme

What brought you to TISOH?

I developed a passion to become an event planner after working several years in the banking industry. I heard about TISOH and their focus on short-term learning so I decided to enroll in their event planning diploma program. I found out that the school offered classes taught by industry professionals which I correctly believed would have been a tremendous help in landing my dream job.

What are you doing now?

I am the Event Producer for AREA15 and I manage all of the public and private events from corporate, conventions, conferences, social parties, concerts, and festivals. AREA15 is the newest immersive entertainment and events complex filled with a playground of experiential attractions including art installations, food venues, other worldly experiences. 


What was your favorite school memory?

My final presentation and project in Event Design and Production. I created a murder mystery event and received some great feedback from event industry pros and my instructors, Lenny Talarico and Kelly Thompson. They were both instrumental in getting me to where I am today because of their knowledge and mentorship support especially after graduation.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Get as much hands-on experience as possible. I volunteered myself in every event opportunity available with an open mind and strong work ethic. The event industry is a 24/7 job and it is not easy, however, it can be extremely rewarding if you put the work into it.

Angelique Janowski

What brought you to TISOH?

I was working with Cirque du Soleil, and as an artist, especially as an acrobat, I know that I am not going to be able to do this forever. I needed to think about my career after the stage. I wanted to do something that will keep me connected with the entertainment field.

When I discovered TISOH, I knew it would be a good mix between where I come from and where I wanted to go. I completed the Diploma in Hospitality Operations program with an emphasis in Event Management in 2019.  

What are you doing now?

Right after my graduation at TISOH, I got the opportunity to work as an Event and Marketing Assistant for IntroDeuce Las Vegas. A few months later I was promoted to Program Manager while I was still performing every night for Cirque. 

When the Coronavirus happened, I lost both jobs and everything became uncertain. While I was waiting to come back to the Cirque, I decided to open my own event company, We Should Dance Events (www.weshoulddanceevents.com). We offer themed dance classes for bachelorette parties and events, plus elopements. Even if it was risky to open a business during the pandemic, I had tremendous support from the hospitality industry. 

Then a few months later Cirque du Soleil decided to close Zumanity permanently. I had no hope to return on stage with this show anymore. At that moment, my former colleagues and I created an independent stage production company called Visionary Pack Collective. We wanted to open our own show, something sustainable and beautiful in this unprecedented time.  Apéro Show was born and gave the opportunity to artists to be back on stage, (with all the regulations from the government) and to bring entertainment back to Las Vegas.

I am now the Co-Founder, choreographer, and the Arial Hoop Artist of Apéro Show. Apéro show is a swank cabaret with a European heritage. Sensational aerial, captivating contortion, spectacular juggling, and outstanding acrobatics are sure to astound.

The show’s namesake “Apéro” is the cooler, more contemporary version of the European phenomenon “The Aperitif.” The Baobab Stage, where the Apéro Show plays, is connected to the Baobab Cafe, where the audience can enjoy cocktails and aperitif during the show’s intermission

We are performing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 7 PM. The tickets are on sale now at www.aperoshow.com

What was your favorite school memory?

I have many good memories. The visits to different hotels and vendors. I remembered when we went to the Wynn and we had the opportunity to see one of their amazing VIP Suite how beautiful it was. 

Also, the teachers as they were amazing and ready to help me at any moment. It was great to feel the support from the instructors and the team at TISOH. My most memorable day was my Graduation Day. I was so proud because I did it! It was not easy to be an artist and performing 10 to 12 times a week, plus doing school at the same time. For me, it was a big achievement. 

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

My first advice would be, to not hesitate to do more.  Take all the opportunities that the school, the instructors, and other professionals will give you. The connections that you will find are unlimited. Take the externships seriously because you never know where it will lead you. My first job happened because of my externship at TISOH. 

Thiago Roldan

What brought you to TISOH?

I decided to join TISOH after a deep conversation with a great mentor of mine. I was in the nightclub industry making good money, but I was living day by day with no purpose in life.

Marketing and events were something that I was always passionate about and when I found out that real industry professionals were teaching at the school, I was sold.

What are you doing now?

Because of TISOH, I got my first Internship opportunity with an event company called ByDzign. I worked my way up to an Event Operations Specialist position but was laid off in March 2020 due to the pandemic., During quarantine, I use the time to understand more about the industry, doing some online courses. In July 2020, I heard about this new Brazilian Steakhouse in town and saw the opportunity to work for them, and I literally knock at their door and was hired immediately. 

Today I am the Events Coordinator and Marketing Specialist for Galpao Gaucho Brazilian Steakhouse. I am responsible for:

- Develop all strategic marketing initiatives and activities

- Develop and maintain key relationships within the meeting, conventions, and wedding industry.

- Sell private events, increasing revenue for the restaurant.

What was your favorite school memory?

The whole TISOH system of teaching is super engaging, but my favorite part was when we had to present all our semester work to the class and the instructors. After all the research, it felt like a mission accomplished.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Be a sponge! Listen, listen, and listen. TISOH provides you with the professionals that are currently working in the industry is fantastic! Every day is a potential interview or recommendation. Create professional relationships with people around you; things happen fast here at TISOH. 

Zsuzsanna Popu

TISOH:  What brought you to TISOH?

Zsuzsanna:  I wanted to move forward in the hospitality industry, and I was looking for the fastest solution to get my degree. I got accepted into two colleges, but the four years seemed too long. I wanted to learn a lot in a short period. I knew what I wanted and what my desired position was. My TISOH Executive Diploma program covered all the knowledge I needed. It was the perfect seven-month length, and also within my budget.

TISOH:  What are you doing now?

Zsuzsanna:  After eight years as an Executive Housekeeper at the Marriott, I have accepted a General Manager position in a brand-new boutique hotel in my town. Without TISOH, it could not have happened. After I received my diploma, I felt more confident to apply for this position. 

My hotel is opening in December. It is exciting and a tremendous amount of work, but I am pleased to lead this hotel to success. I feel that I now have an excellent foundation for my career.

TISOH:  What was your favorite school memory?

Zsuzsanna:  I enjoyed doing my market analysis assignment as it helped me discover all the possibilities of managing a hotel in a small town. I currently live in Danville, Virginia and TISOH has assisted me in my career progression to become a general manager along with resources on how to open a new hotel property. 

TISOH:  What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry? 

Zsuzsanna:  First, you must know the direction you are heading. What department and what position you want to land in. When you clear with that, you know what knowledge you are missing. TISOH has a variety of programs to find the one that fits for you. You must be determined, and you must know why you want that position. Talk, ask questions, and learn from people who are successful in the field you want to enter. Listen to their stories to find your own inspiration and motivation.

Kathleen Laming

Kathleen received her Executive Diploma in Hospitality Operations with an emphasis in Event Management from the International School of Hospitality (TISOH) in 2017.  After graduation, Kathleen received a promotion to Production Coordinator, and eventually landed as a Project Manager with Encore Event Technologies in September 2019.   Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, she was placed on furlough in March 2020.  Never one to sit still for long, Kathleen decided to put her hospitality skills to task when she was asked by a high school acquaintance to help launch a start-up company.  Kathleen joined LinkedHelpers in July 2020, a virtual assistant start-up company, and they are already up and running with a growing client list. 

Here we ask Kathleen to fill us in on how her education and experience helped her on her path. 

TISOH:  Kathleen, thank you for joining us today.  Congratulations on your new venture.  We have so many questions to ask, but I want to start from the beginning. You received your Executive Diploma in Hospitality Operations with an emphasis on Event Management.  You took courses in Conference Management & Event Planning, Event Design & Production, Hospitality Human Resources, and Hospitality Leadership & Supervision. Shortly after graduation you received a promotion at Encore Event Technologies where you were promoted from a clerk position to a production coordinator.  Then a year later, you received another promotion and another one the year after that.  Tell us more about this trajectory that you were on and how you got there.

KATHLEEN:  I was working at Encore in the Business Center as a front desk clerk and I had a lot of extra time so I thought this would be a really good time to go back to school.  I was pregnant during my time at TISOH and I missed my graduation because I went into labor that day.  After I had my baby I knew I needed to get a promotion so when I went back to work, I talked to my supervisor about my classes at TISOH and told them I was interested in doing more so they moved me into production.  Every year after that I received another promotion and eventually became a Project Manager. The classes gave me knowledge and confidence to be successful in my work.

TISOH:  When everything closed in March due to COVID-19, many people thought “give it a month or two and we’ll be back to business soon.”  But then April came, followed by May and June and so on.  At what point, did you begin to put serious thought into this new venture?  Did you ever see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?

KATHLEEN: No, becoming an entrepreneur was never something I had considered before.  I was always that person that took care of operations.  Give me a task and I will take care of it, but I never considered becoming an entrepreneur. In March, when everything closed, I had just returned from a month-long vacation in Asia.  So, when I was placed on furlough, it just felt like another vacation. That is when I decided to join a networking group called Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders (ACEL).  It is a nonprofit that connects Asian American professionals.  Through ACEL, I reconnected with my high school friend Janine Valentin.  Janine had just started the virtual assistant business, but she was more sales than operations.  She is a great salesperson, but she was using WhatsApp for everything and was feeling overwhelmed.  I told her I wanted to help her get it off the ground.

TISOH: What classes at TISOH do you think benefitted you most in your role as Project Manager and now as partner for a start-up?

KATHLEEN: All of them.  With the event planning and design portion they literally had you start from scratch.  You start with an objective and then TISOH shows you what steps you need to even start.  From there, how do you manage everything?  It is all connected.  With LinkedHelpers, we had to define the objectives such as how do we get more people to read our blogs, and how do we get more people to like our Facebook page and social media platforms.  We had to find a way to put everything in writing so that it was not all just thoughts over coffee.  If you do not organize and document, you can lose important ideas.  That is where Trello came in.  I did not use it until I started working at Encore but it is a great app to document, organize and share steps with clients so everyone can communicate effectively and there are no surprises. 

The Hospitality Human Resources and Hospitality Leadership & Supervision classes at TISOH helped with project management, such as how to work with employees and how to react when things do not go the right way.  It seems like a small part, but it makes you understand that employees have feelings too and they need to know where to go when they have a question or problem.  When you are building a new company, you need to create a foundation.  I told Janine we needed to create a leadership and a company culture that worked well because if you do not have that, it is hard to retain employees.  If you have a high turnover rate, it is hard to get things done.  TISOH also taught me how to neutralize situations where the boss is asking for something, as bosses often do, and employees that become stressed as a result.

At TISOH, we had the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and with different personalities. It is a unique opportunity to be in a classroom setting and to be able to see the world through someone else’s point of view.  We had a German student in one of our classes and even her presentation style was different from everyone else. 

TISOH: Tell us more about your new company.  What are your services and who are your clients? 

KATHLEEN: LinkedHelpers offers virtual assistants to help for when you are feeling overwhelmed.  We can help by managing everything from scheduling appointments, to answering emails, sales, and even bookkeeping.  We help clients with projects big and small. This allows business owners to focus on the things they do well and allows them to source out what they do not want to do or do not have the time to do.  We offer customized plans to fit every business’s needs.  Whatever you need help with, we are going to be the person to lean on.

TISOH:  What would you say to someone who is considering going to TISOH?

KATHLEEN: Right now, is the perfect time because everything is slow in the events industry.  Everything is going to pick up again. Many people are leaving their jobs to go to different industries since our industry is not open right now. But when we do open, there is going to be a massive hiring.  A lot of people will have moved on to the next thing in their life and there will be a lot of open spots.  Going to school from home gives you something to do.  Makes you wake up and gets you ready for when the world does come back.  Now is the time.

Gary Bordman

We recently had a chance to catch up with International School of Hospitality graduate, Gary Bordman, CSEP, Interactive Experience Designer.  Gary completed his Event Design & Production Certificate in 2009 as a way to help him prepare for the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) certification exam.  Which he successfully did!  Additionally, Gary was able to incorporate these skills in his own Las Vegas-based entertainment company, Amusement, Event & Event Services (AE & ES).  

Like many of us who are in the social gathering business, and not the social distancing business, Gary has implemented some exciting new changes to help adapt to the current times.  We wanted to talk to him to learn more about what exiting new things he has been working on and to learn about new trends happening in Virtual and Hybrid Events.

What are some the latest trends happening in the virtual gaming industry?  Tell us about the ones that you love and what trends need to improve.

What I see that works the best are programs that DO NOT use apps for people to join in.  Company phones or laptops do not like them, and IT has to get involved when downloading software.  I like seeing more people participate in games like Trivia and our Rock Star Music Bingo.  These are a lot of fun when the attendees know what to do in advance and can come prepared for the party.   

Programs that are not as successful are where the attendees do not understand what to do.  This often happens because the company putting on the game or event did not have a waiting room with instructions on what to do prior to the event starting.  I also see problems where they have the right tech team in the program, but they left it up to a salesperson to execute.  Short cuts and underpricing will not cut it in the virtual and hybrid world. 

Watch the video below to see how Gary brings the fun virtually! Experience it live by registering for our upcoming Game Night!

Can you share how your education at TISOH helped prepare you for this challenging time our industry?

Taking the Event Design & Production course at TISOH helped to keep me moving in our current event world by giving me the right tools.  It also gave me insight into which types events need to change.  The SWOT Analysis [Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats] taught in the classroom never included COVID but using those same ideas of breaking down what can go wrong helped.  Working through the budget on how to price these new programs that we are offering and creating a virtual event venue to host programs in came to light by way of conversations with other TISOH alumni and staff.   I constantly call on my instructor or I will chat with other TISOH grads when ideas come up because I want to bounce ideas off people that I respect.

Trust in those people you surround yourself with, bounce ideas off them and listen to their input.  We are all stronger working and collaborating as a group and more powerful than the ONE.  

Can you share what new exciting games you have been working on at AE&ES?

We are constantly working on creating new experiences and programs that will bring in that Real Life experience to the virtual event.  Currently I am working on a Virtual Golf Tournament that will be a feasible option for getting people together when they can play a round of golf together from their homes.  Just wait and see. It will be a game changer.

Thuy Diep (2-E Deep)

Since graduating from The International School of Hospitality (TISOH) in 2013 with a Diploma in Hospitality Operations with a dual emphasis in Conference Management and Events, Thuy Diep has been trailblazing her way through the industry. She has achieved a number of certifications since then: Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP), Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), and Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). In 2016, she was named to the 22 Millennials to Watch list by Meetings & Conventions Magazine. In 2019, Thuy became a board member of the SEARCH Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides financial support for events, meetings, and catering professionals in crisis. Most recently, Thuy was elected as President of the International Live Events Association, Los Angeles Chapter (ILEA LA). Based in Venice Beach, California, you can often find Thuy roller skating on the boardwalk.

We had a chance to talk with Thuy about her thoughts on the current state of the industry and to see what new developments might be on the horizon, particularly in virtual events.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO ENGAGE THE VIRTUAL AUDIENCE

What would you like to see happen in virtual events?

I would love for event planners and trusted supplier partners to have an awareness on how they once planned and contributed to live events, and that it is much different in the virtual world. Instead of checking off tasks on their ‘to-do’ list using prior industry knowledge, these creative creators should continue to seek additional education, provide a sounding board of collaboration with others, and rewire the brain to all the possibilities of these technology platforms – the new opportunities to truly create lasting experiences is breathtaking! Once that can be done, the audiences will feel more engaged, clients and stakeholders will see more ROI (return on investment), and maybe we as an industry won’t feel so exhausted mentally staring at a computer screen all day.

Are there any trends you anticipate with virtual events?

I see more unique topics surfacing and fun interactive ways to incorporate into team building, CSR (corporate social responsibilities), and charity fundraisers. For example: ILEA Los Angeles in collaboration with the Las Vegas and Portland chapters, are hosting a Virtual Drag Bingo, on Monday, August 31st at 6pm PST and proceeds go to local LGTBQ+ nonprofits in those destinations. Another trend is moving from virtual events to hybrid events as city regulations and safety protocols are being implemented. If you’d like to hear more about professional hybrid events and opinions, check out the “What is a Hybrid Event?” episode on Event Brew Podcast. Lastly, keeping virtual events concise, short, and sweet with more compassion and understanding of life outside our professional lives. We are all in this together and trying our best to get by. That is a trend I hope sticks!

Juliet Douglas

What brought you to TISOH?  

I was planning on opening up my own independent wedding consulting business and wanted some additional education and networking opportunities. My resume already included a job as a wedding chapel coordinator on the Las Vegas Strip as well as experience at a banquet facility, to name a few. But, I wanted to take it to the next level. I called the school and spoke to Tim Lam and he was so warm and welcoming. From what I remember, I signed up right away. I was the 2nd graduating class!

What are you doing now?  

Due to COVID-19, my latest position was eliminated. I was working for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as an Account Executive with the Restaurant Group Sales team.  Fortunately, my husband and I signed a lease at the beginning of 2020 for our first specialty coffee bar. We hired a General Manager and Lead Barista to help us open our concept since neither of us had ever worked in coffee. I also really enjoyed my job and had planned on staying employed. However, with my new found free time, I've been pouring myself into additional digital marketing classes and really focusing on our marketing and social media efforts. The shop is called Golden Fog Coffee and we are located in the heart of the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District on the ground level of the new shareDOWNTOWN apartment building. We will be open around the first week of September!

What was your favorite school memory?  

I loved getting a chance to meet with industry professionals such as floral designers and photographers and being able to be on site for real events through my internship. We also had a fun, intimate group in class and I'm still friends with some of my former classmates to this day! 

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?  

Do your research and find out what area of hospitality interests you. I worked in all areas of hospitality and really found my home in events. You have to love people - working with them and serving them. Learning a second language may also give you an advantage.

Brenda Geller

What brought you to TISOH?

The reason I pursued a diploma program at TISOH is because I am a product designer at heart. However, my career at the time was in a totally different field. I knew that if I really wanted to change my focus to doing what I love, I needed to prepare and to learn the industry from the best people.

Even though I was 40 at the time, I did not stop chasing my dream! I knew the key was to be open-minded to returning to school so I could prepare properly for new challenges and opportunities.

What are you doing now?

I started my wedding and event planning business called Infinite Event Design in August of 2018. I joined the Alumni Board the next year as a Director and also became Chairperson of our TISOH Entrepreneur Committee (stay tuned for future meeting announcements). Most excitingly, I began teaching at TISOH where I am able to come full circle and apply my expertise and knowledge to a new group of event professionals.

What was your favorite school memory? 

I enjoyed being around so many top-notch people from the hospitality industry, going to site visits and most importantly, meeting new colleagues who became my friends.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Keep learning and never stop. Learning is what keeps us relevant and on top of industry trends. Also, do not be afraid of contacting people. Some will not respond back but others will surprise you. Lastly be ready to help, support, and collaborate with other fellow artists, planners, and vendors. Remember that being present reminds people of who you are.

Alumni Happenings

Almuni News / Announcement Form: