ESU Hospitality, Recreation, and Tourism Management Department Host Guest Speaker Series

The hospitality, recreation, and tourism management (HRTM) department at East Stroudsburg University kicked off a guest speaker series that will extend throughout the fall 2020 semester to connect students to industry professionals.

Speakers so far have included Lori Bloch, entrepreneur and owner of Emig Mansion Bed and Breakfast in York, Pa. and Mary Popovich, vice president of human resources at Camelback Resort in Tannersville, Pa. Bloch began her journey as a meeting and event planning minor at Northampton Community College before transferring to ESU to complete a Bachelor of Science in HRTM and a Bachelor of Arts in American and world history. She shared her experience in the travel and tourism industry, talked about the importance of course work and volunteering, and encouraged students to take every internship opportunity presented. Popovich has extensive experience working in hospitality, information technology, and the health care industry at high profile companies such as Camelback Resort, Highgate, Apple, and Coordinated Health. She has held positions as vice president, director and talent and development manager. Popovich shared the background of Camelback Resort, future development, and provided career opportunities for students.

Other speakers to have joined the series were Emre Erdogan, director of market strategy for Marriott International and Jackie Irving, front office manager at Kartrite Resort & Indoor Waterpark in Monticello, N.Y. Erdogan started his career as a front office team leader in Accor Hotel Group before being promoted to the multi-hotel revenue coordinator position. He has worked for the Mandarin Hotel Group and Hyatt Group as a revenue manager and now leads revenue management operations and strategies within the Turkey revenue management cluster for Marriott’s core and luxury branded hotels located in Turkey, Macedonia, Ukraine and Georgia. In 2018, he was chosen as the revenue manager leader of the year in Europe for Marriott group. Irving is an ESU alumna who began her career as a travel planning specialist for Caesars Pocono Resort and has held positions including housekeeping manager, senior lead front desk agent and assistant front office director in Manhattan at Times Square Hotel. She will share her career path, insights, and career opportunities.

The series will continue with Deniz Dorbek Kocak, vice president of global revenue management operations for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, is a visionary leader with 20 years of global experience in six countries and three continents. Before her current position, she was senior director of revenue management and distribution – Europe, Middle East, Euroasia & Africa for Wyndham Group. She brings 16 years of expertise in establishing advance revenue management & distribution optimization in both national and global operations. She has been recognized for her talents in commercial strategy development and providing corporate vision. She has a diversified background in sales & marketing, revenue management, distribution and channel management. Kocak’s presentation will be on Tuesday, September 29 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.

The series will continue in October with Jim Butler, Ph.D., chief executive officer for Club Benchmarking and Tom Olson, executive director, Upper Midwest, for Club Benchmarking. Butler holds a Ph.D. in hospitality from Iowa State University. His research focuses on club member loyalty and attachment. Dr. Butler is a recognized leader in data science and academic research. He has a wealth of operational experience and a proven track record in private clubs and gated communities. Olson has over 10 years of experience leading exclusive private clubs including the platinum level Minneapolis Club. He studied business administration at St. Cloud State University, and is a popular speaker on a variety of topics involving private club management. Butler and Olson will give a joint presentation on Tuesday, October 27 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.

The series will conclude in November with Zack Meister, manager of the Adventure Center at SkyTop Lodge. Meister began his career with an internship at the Adventure Center at Skytop Lodge. After several months he advanced to assistant manager and then manager. He will be sharing topics on his career “adventure” and discuss how sustainability is important for any business practice and his department. Meister’s presentation will be held on Thursday, November 5 at 2 p.m. via Zoom.

For more information, please contact Dr. Stanley Li-Ming Chiang, associate professor and chair of hospitality, recreation, and tourism management by calling 570-422-3624 or emailing lchiang@esu.edu.

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