Selkirk College Resort and Hotel Management Team scores fourth consecutive win at B.C. Tourism Conference
By Nelson Daily Staff
A team from Selkirk College has again won top spot and $1,000 prize money at the 2011 B.C. Hospitality Case Study Competition held recently in Victoria.
This is the fourth consecutive win for students from the College’s School of Hospitality & Tourism.
The team, one of nine from B.C.’s colleges and universities, competes each year at the B.C. Tourism Industry Conference, sponsored by Tourism B.C. and Link B.C. The conference theme this year was “Focus on the Future.”
Teams are judged by panels of industry leaders on the quality and content of presentations probing current issues facing B.C.’s tourism industry.
Selkirk’s team, all students in the two-year Resort and Hotel Management Program, Tenth Street Campus, Nelson, researched possible marketing and communication synergies.
The proposals were developed to encourage more visitors to B.C.’s Provincial Park system through enhanced awareness, better utilizing the local Visitor Information Centers.
Team members included Stephen Hart and Nicholas Stadnyk, both from Calgary, Meghan Booth, Brandon, Manitoba, and Jared Zuege, Madison, Ohio.
Team coaches Steve Bareham and Harry Pringle, instructors in the School of Hospitality and Tourism, provided assistance to focus the team’s substantial research and information gathering work prior to delivery of a 15-minute presentation at the conference Oct. 24, 2011.
The case study competition showcases students’ knowledge and skills that can be applied for employers upon graduation.
A primary focus of instruction for management candidates at Selkirk College is how to employ critical thinking skills for research, writing, and organization of information and also on how to present effectively (The students employed computer technology and software to enhance the presentation.).
This year’s team saw clear benefits, both from the competition itself, and also from the networking experience.
Nick Stadnyk said “this competition taught me that leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.”
Stephen Hart said “the competition taught me that innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
Meghan Hart agrees: “Participating in the Case Study Competition and tourism conference was an amazing experience. To have the chance to learn from keynote speakers and other student participants was truly valuable to bring me closer to my career goals.”
And Jared Zuege adds: “I enjoyed my entire time in Victoria. The industry leaders that were present at the conference may open doorways to my career in the future.”
