2024 THLA Hotel Summer Camps Recap

June Summer Camps 

In June 2024, the Texas Hotel and Lodging Association (THLA) hosted three High School Hotel Summer Camps in Houston, Fort Worth, and College Station, offering over 150 high school students a unique opportunity to explore the hotel industry. The camps, held at the Hilton University of Houston, AC by Marriott Fort Worth and the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center, provided hands-on experiences from both the guest perspective (front-of-the-house) and as potential future staff members (back-of-the-house).

Some camp attendees received scholarships that covered the full cost of attendance, easing the financial burden on their families and school districts. These scholarships were made possible by the generous support of numerous THLA Hotel Summer Camp sponsors. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the following sponsors:

• American Hotel & Lodging Association Educational Institute
• Hotel Association of North Texas (HANTX)
• Hotel Association of Tarrant County (HATC)
• Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH)
• Mansfield Convention & Visitors Bureau
• San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association
• University of North Texas
• Visit Corpus Christi
• Visit Fort Worth

Industry leaders, including Rick Galyean, General Manager of the Hilton University Hotel, Carissa Taylor, General Manager of the AC by Marriott, and Greg Stafford, General Manager of the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center, provided an overview of the hotel industry. The camps also introduced various career options and included tours of colleges with hotel programs, such as the University of Houston, the University of North Texas, and Texas A&M University.

Workshops, Teams & Tours

In addition to gaining industry insights, students attended sessions on how hotels contribute to the local economy and work with local convention and visitors’ bureaus. They also participated in workshops on Personal Branding, Networking & Interviewing, and Job Search Strategies, earning a Texas Friendly Hospitality Ambassador Customer Service Certification.

At the Fort Worth and College Station camps, Colleen Rickenbacher, Co-founder at Global Protocol, Etiquette & Civility Academy, led a Business Dinner Etiquette session. David Uminski, an instructor at St. Philip’s College, presented the Business Dinner Etiquette session at the Houston camp. Additionally, students in Fort Worth participated in a “Burger Building” competition.

During the camp, students collaborated in teams to develop unique hotel concepts, which they presented to local hotel leaders who served as judges for the Hotel Concept Projects. These concepts included initiatives for sustainability, unique guest amenities, and innovative food & beverage outlets. Special thanks to the following judges:

• Rick Galyean, General Manager, Hilton University of Houston
• Cathy Cheatham, Hilton Hotel Manager
• Sarah Fox, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Membership Services Associate
• Yuliya Meusel, Sr. Director of Talent Acquisition, Pyramid Global Hospitality
• Julie Freeman, Associate Brokerage Services, Oldham Goodwin
• Kristen Hagan, Director of Revenue Strategy, Hospitality Management Services, Oldham Goodwin

Participants also toured additional full-service hotel properties, including the San Luis Resort & Spa for Houston attendees, the Renaissance Worthington Fort Worth Hotel for Fort Worth attendees, and the Stella Hotel for College Station attendees.

During these tours, department managers shared inspiring presentations about their career progression and current leadership roles, giving students firsthand insight into various hotel occupations.

Career Awareness Fair

Each camp concluded with a College and Career Awareness Fair, where students practiced skills learned during the camp, explored hotel colleges, and connected with hotel employers to secure summer employment. Major hotel brands participated, interacting with students and discussing opportunities within their properties. A big thank you to the hotels and organizations that partnered with THLA to ensure the success of these fairs:

• Aimbridge Hospitality / Home2 Suites
• Conrad N. Hilton, College of Global Hospitality Leadership
• Courtyard/Residence Inn Arlington South
• Dallas College
• Dalwadi Hospitality
• DFW Hyatt Hotels
• Hyatt Regency Houston Downtown
• Kemah Boardwalk Inn, Landry’s Hospitality
• Loews Hotels & Co.
• Marriott International (Dallas)
• Oldham Goodwin
• Omni Dallas Hotel
• Pyramid Group
• Remington Hospitality (Dallas)
• Renaissance Worthington
• San Luis Resort & Spa, Landry’s Hospitality
• Sheraton Fort Worth
• Texas A&M University
• The Crescent Hotel, Fort Worth
• TownePlace Suites
• Visit Bryan
• Visit College Station
• Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County

THLA is proud to announce that the Hotel Summer Camp program was recognized nationally as the best Education/Workforce Development program by the International Society of Hotel Associations in 2022. This prestigious award was given to THLA for our efforts in developing and hosting an event to increase awareness of the hotel industry occupations among high school students.