UCF’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management hosted the Spring 2014 Career Fair on Thursday, Feb. 27. Over 60 employers from the hospitality and tourism industry were on hand to discuss full-time, part-time and internship opportunities with students majoring in hospitality management, restaurant management and event management.

“This is an incredible opportunity for employers to connect with a highly-targeted audience of students who are truly invested in pursuing careers in the hospitality industry,” said Bradley Loomis, assistant director of employer relations for UCF Career Services at Rosen College.

Students plan and execute the Career Fair every semester as a class project, handling every aspect of the event, including the theme, decor, marketing, promotion and lunch menu.  The Spring 2014 Career Fair was safari-themed, anchored by the tagline,  “Where Your Adventure Begins.” In addition to applying the skills and techniques learned in class to a real-life event, students get an unparalleled opportunity to connect with the industry’s top companies.

“The students have the opportunity to network, practice their elevator speech and become connected to industry professionals all under one roof,” said Premila Whitney, an instructor at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, who teaches the Event Management class in which students plan and execute the Career Fair. “It’s almost like a one-stop shop of employers that, to my knowledge,  the students would not be able to get otherwise.”

Employers who attended the Spring 2014 Career Fair include:

4 Rivers Smokehouse

Applebee’s

Aramark

Blue Ridge Restaurant Group

Brinker International

Buena Vista Palace and Spa

Caribe Royale

Cheddar’s

Cracker Barrel

Cruise Career Partners

Darden

Dignity Memorial

Disney Destinations

Disney Internships and Programs

Doubletree by Hilton Orlando at Seaworld

Ecolab

Enterprise Holdings

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

Frenchman’s Creek Beach and Country Club

Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. Souplantation & Sweet Tomatoes

Hillstone Restaurant Group

Hilton Worldwide

Holland American/ Princess-Alaska

Hyatt

J. Alexander’s Restaurants

Jason’s Deli

Kessler Collection

LEGOLAND Florida

Loews Universal

Marriott International

Marriott- Orlando Market

Marriott Vacations Worldwide

Ocean House & Weekapaug Inn

Old Edwards Inn and Spa

Orange Lake Reosrts

Orlando Magic

Ovations Food Services

Panera Bread

Picerne Real Estate Group

PSAV Presentation Services

Republic National Distributing Company

Rosen Hotels & Resorts

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment

Sixt Rent a Car

South Seas Island Resort

Starwood Hotels and Resorts

staySky Resort Management

Target Stores

The Breakers Palm Beach

The Ritz-Carlton & JW Marriott

Tijuana Flats Burrito Co.

Tony Romas

Tourico Holidays Travel Academy

Towne Park

Transtar Transportation Group

TravelClick

Universal Orlando Resort

Visit Orlando

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin

WaWa Inc.

White Lodging

Wyndham Vacation Ownership