Helping the hospitality
industry have a nice day

ometimes the collaboration between a technical college and local businesses is more complex. In Athens, for example, the Hospitality Resource Panel, a group of businesses involved in the hospitality and tourism industry, used grant money to analyze the market in that college town and study the feasibility of a hospitality program at Athens Technical College.

Paul Cramer, executive director of the Classic Center, the renovated historic fire station that is a cornerstone of Athens’ convention and performing arts business, says the study demonstrated the dramatic need for such a program. It showed that at least 110 entry-level hospitality jobs are created each year in Athens, and two-thirds of potential employers said they would pay an average of $5,000 more a year to an employee with some kind of hospitality degree.

The partnership that developed as a result of the study, Cramer says, echoing the refrain heard across the state, is a “win-win” for both the Classic Center and Athens Tech. The Classic Center provides classroom space and its new kitchen for the college to train students in. The school provides interns to the Classic Center, which in turn can get a first look at those who might later become valuable employees.

“Our success lies not in the four walls of the building, but in the quality of people working at the Classic Center,” Cramer says. “So if we can ‘grow our own’ future staffers, that means more business, more economic development and more tourism for the region.”

To create the hospitality managers of the future, the program emphasizes customer service and trains the students in areas such as event planning, hospitality accounting, psychology, marketing and food and beverage management.

“When people think about hospitality, they think of cooking or waiters. But we are very much focused on getting students supervisory or management positions,” says Dr. Jackie Wilson, program director. The demand is so great these days that practically every graduate has a job waiting for them, Wilson says.

Athens Tech also formed a strong partnership with Motel Enterprises Inc. (which owns Athens Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and the under-construction Hilton Gardens). On behalf of Holiday Inn, Motel Enterprises Inc. President Lewis Schropshire recently donated $10,000 to the program and has sponsored four student internships at the Athens Holiday Inn.

“We’re just delighted that Athens Tech has established a Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management program,” Schropshire says. “Our hotel industry is famished for people who have a blend of academic and on-the-job training.”

Currently, student Jesse Schaudies is interning at Athens Holiday Inn. He shadows a sales manager, and his business skills have sharpened rapidly. “I’ve learned a lot about ADR (average daily rate), which is a breakdown of how much profit is made per room, per day. I’ve learned about how salespeople handle contracts.”

A few years ago, Schaudies’ appetite for the hospitality industry was whetted when he worked a summer job as a bellman. When he first heard about Athens Tech’s hospitality program, he signed up. “I always wanted something like this because I love working with people,” he says. “I love seeing people walk away with a big smile.”

Athens Tech President Dr. Flora Tydings says she’s “honored” to have the partnership between the school, the Classic Center and Holiday Inn.

“Through their strong support, our Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management program is not only up and running,” Tydings says, “but is flourishing and making an impact in this industry throughout Northeast Georgia.”

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