VA1 Student Conference – Sponsored by Miles Partnership

Join us for the VA1 Tourism Summit Student Session! This engaging student program will provide attendees with the information they need to pursue a career in tourism and hospitality, benefits of working in the industry, and insights on how to take the first step.

Participants will have the opportunity to engage with three unique panel discussions that will set them up for success in the tourism and hospitality industry. Here’s what you can expect:

Ready, Set, Grow

The “Ready, Set, Grow” panel is designed to offer college students an insider’s perspective on the transition from academic life to a thriving career in the tourism and hospitality industry. Featuring a diverse group of young professionals who have recently entered the field, this panel will provide firsthand accounts of the challenges, opportunities, and key lessons learned as they embarked on their professional journeys. This will be a moderated conversation covering key topics such as the transition from college to the workforce, essential skills for success, and strategies for professional growth.

Up, Up and Away

The “Up, Up, and Away” panel is tailored for college students eager to explore the next steps in their tourism and hospitality careers. This session will feature mid-level managers and self-employed professionals who have successfully navigated the challenges of advancing their careers or starting their own businesses. Through their experiences, attendees will gain valuable insights into the strategies and mindset required to soar in this dynamic industry. This will be a moderated conversation covering key topics such as career advancement strategies, leadership challenges, and the realities of entrepreneurship in tourism and hospitality.

Achieving Your Dreams

The “Achieving Your Dreams” panel is a prestigious session aimed at inspiring college students by showcasing the journeys of senior-level executives, CEOs, and successful business owners in the tourism and hospitality industry. These industry leaders will share their stories of perseverance, vision, and leadership, offering invaluable insights into how they turned their dreams into reality. This panel will provide students with a unique opportunity to learn from the best in the field and understand what it takes to reach the pinnacle of success in this dynamic industry. This will be a moderated conversation focusing on the panelists’ career journeys, the leadership decisions that shaped their success, and their vision for the future of the industry.

AI Presentation

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to transform industries, the tourism sector is no exception. This session delves into the evolving role of AI in tourism, particularly focusing on its impact on creativity. From personalized travel experiences to data-driven marketing strategies, AI is shaping the way destinations are promoted and experienced. But what does this mean for the creative process in tourism?

Join us as we explore the opportunities and challenges AI presents for tourism professionals. We’ll discuss how AI can enhance creativity by providing innovative tools for content creation, customer engagement, and destination marketing. At the same time, we’lladdress the concerns about AI’s potential to limit human creativity, and how to strike a balance between technology and the human touch.

This session is essential for students interested in understanding the future of tourism and hospitality, offering insights into how they can harness AI while preserving the creative essence that defines the industry.

The Future Looks Bright

At the conclusion of our panel discussions, students will have the opportunity to speak with Virginia tourism industry partners about their futures in hospitality and tourism! You can expect to connect with the following tourism partners

• Richmond Region Tourism
• Fairfax County
• Charlottesville-Albemarle County
• Lexington-Rockbridge Area
• Danville-Pittsylvania County
• Virginia Tourism
• Page County
• Appomattox Inn & Suites

This Event Sponsored By: