USF Hosts 21st Annual Hospitality Industry Symposium
Spotlighting Wellness, Sustainability, and Humanity
January 31, 2011 - The University of San Francisco (USF) announces the 21st annual Hospitality Industry Symposium will take place on April 1, 2011 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square Hotel (333 O'Farrell St.).
The theme of this year's symposium will focus on how the hospitality industry can provide better quality services, increase profitability, and create a vibrant culture to help achieving its potential. The symposium is organized and hosted by USF's Hospitality Industry Management Program within the School of Business and Professional Studies.
This year's symposium will highlight the issues of wellness, sustainability and humanity and will feature panelists discussing topics ranging from organizing events with a purpose to corporate and community sustainability while achieving financial growth potential. By defining goals and strategies for wellness, sustainability and humanity, a company can attain a balance. A balance relates to achieving success for profit, people, and the planet-- the triple bottom-line. New this year will be a special Farmer's Market luncheon in which local farmers and chefs will partner to create unique and sustainable menu items.
USF Business ethics professor David Batstone will serve as the keynote speaker. Batstone has done extensive research on global agricultural development, and creating a more socially conscious world that is centered on human dignity. Andy Ford, WaveMaster and Chief Insights Officer for CultureWaves will give the symposium's closing remarks. CultureWaves is a marketing company based on consumer behavior, and Ford will speak about the effects consumer choices have on business, and share trends he sees in the market.
“We are hearing more and more about balance and sustainability, but the real question is how do businesses incorporate those ideas into concrete practices that will lead to productive outcomes,” said Tom Costello, Director of the USF Hospitality Industry Management Program. “The world turns to San Francisco for the latest on what's new, what's happening, and who is doing it in the hospitality industry. With this symposium, we'll be able to unpack the notions of wellness, sustainability, and creating altruistic company and community partnerships and events that have lasting results.”
Costello says this symposium is unique to Northern California, bringing together top-notch speakers from education and the health, hospitality, and marketing industries.
For more information, please visit www.usfca.edu/hospitality, or contact Emily Doyle at 415.422.6416 or [email protected].