THLA + AISD = Huge Success!

THLA Education Foundation staff partnered with Arlington ISD, Arlington Texas Live!, Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County, Gaylord Texan Resort & Spa, the Hotel Association of Tarrant County, Tarrant County College, and Travel and Sports Legacy Foundation in an Arlington ISD Career Awareness Day program to raise area high school students’ awareness of the many exciting hospitality and tourism occupations.

Currently, 1,700 AISD students are enrolled in Introduction to Culinary Arts. About one-third of the students will continue in the Culinary Arts program of study.

The partnership to offer this program was led in part by Debbie Wieland, THLA Education Outreach & Foundation Director. It was the lodging industry’s goal to attract the students who don’t pursue a culinary arts program of study to the Lodging and Resort Management or the Travel, Tourism & Attractions programs of study.

The event was hosted at the open-air Arlington Backyard at Texas Live! on March 21-23, 2023. The partnership sought to provide students with an opportunity to experience a venue that is part of the thriving tourism industry within Arlington.

Students commented that they learned about great scholarship options and that they received great career advice. Teachers stated “today’s event was probably the best AISD event for CTE kids I’ve ever attended! The program was super informative, and the kids were engaged. “

Students from six Arlington ISD high schools attended the event. The students participated in hospitality career awareness activities to learn more about exciting career options in the hospitality and tourism sector.

The event was a big success and THLA looks forward to partnering with other Texas school districts to raise awareness of exciting occupations in the hotel industry.

If you would like more information, please contact Debbie Wieland, THLA Education Outreach & Foundation Director at dwieland@texaslodging.com or at 512-474-2996.

 

 

 

 

 

Industry Panelists

Hospitality industry leaders participated in a panel discussion moderated by Julie Faver-Dylla, Executive Director of the Hotel Association of Tarrant County.

The panelists shared their unique career journeys and what they like most about working in the industry. They also described how their company gives back to the community which is an important element Generation Z individuals consider when selecting an employing company. See the list of distinguished panelists below:

Panelist	Company Affiliation
Karla Echols	Human Resources Generalist, Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Westlake
Peter Werner	Embassy Suites DFW Airport South
Keri Parker Berry	Director of Convention & Event Services for the City of Arlington
Jessica De La Cruz	Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Membership Services Manager
Laura Pacioni	Market Human Resources Recruiting Manager Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Market
Tom Eagan	Director of Sales & Marketing, Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Larry Dulski Sr.	Director of Finance & Accounting / Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center
Reggie Woolridge	General Manager Marriott Dallas/Fort Worth Westlake
Tascha Gibson	Customer Service Agent, Live by Loews Arlington
John Yeung	General Manager, Delta Hotels by Marriott Dallas Southlake
Drew Hayden	General Manager, The Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel

Opportunities & Connections Made

The participants also engaged in an interactive “Kahoot” to grow and challenge their knowledge of the hospitality industry with winners awarded various prizes. Symone Dixon, from Tarrant County College, shared how she began her career as a professional event planner and highlighted some of her events.

The day culminated with a Career Awareness fair in which about 20 hospitality and tourism employers participated each day. The students interacted with the employers as they completed a scavenger hunt. Students who completed the scavenger hunt were entered into prize drawings. Students were also provided with contacts to secure summer employment.

See the list of participating companies below:

Marriott Dallas Fort Worth Westlake	Workforce Solutions of Tarrant County
Gaylord Texan Resort	Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection
Hilton Arlington	Six Flags of Texas
Hyatt Regency DFW	Embassy Suites DFW Airport South
Tarrant County College SE	Sheraton Fort Worth
Delta Hotel Southlake	Live! by Lowes Arlington
Main Event	AC Hotel Fort Worth
Travel and Sports Legacy Foundation	Great Wolf Lodge
Staybridge Suites Fort Worth West	Marriott Dallas / Fort Worth Market
Hilton DFW Lakes	Grand Hyatt DFW
Westin DFW Airport Hotel

 

*Photographs by Jamiel Harris