Courtesy of JWU
Reflecting on the institution's own diverse demographics, Johnson & Wales University's Miami students hosted their second annual Hospitality Diversity Symposium on May 5 at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts.
Led by Stacy Stern, a notable South Florida event planner and adjunct professor at the university, approximately 40 students-broken into separate groups to handle production, coordination, marketing, and staffing-worked throughout the spring trimester to bring this community event to fruition.
Over the course of the day, multiple breakout sessions were held throughout the performing arts center, organized by the students for their classmates to attend. Gerry Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, highlighted the morning sessions as the day's keynote speaker, discussing student-chosen topics.Following the morning session, the close to 130 guests-students, faculty, and community members-proceeded to the cultural fest luncheon, the pièce de résistance of the day. Here the students really put their planning and coordination skills to work on everything from handmade centerpieces to individually themed-food stations-including Asian, Caribbean-influenced, and Italian fare provided by the Compass Group.
The entire event integrated the many diverse elements represented in the university's student body, which encompasses varying nationalities and persuasions reflecting its North Miami community.
Led by Stacy Stern, a notable South Florida event planner and adjunct professor at the university, approximately 40 students-broken into separate groups to handle production, coordination, marketing, and staffing-worked throughout the spring trimester to bring this community event to fruition.
Over the course of the day, multiple breakout sessions were held throughout the performing arts center, organized by the students for their classmates to attend. Gerry Fernandez, founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, highlighted the morning sessions as the day's keynote speaker, discussing student-chosen topics.Following the morning session, the close to 130 guests-students, faculty, and community members-proceeded to the cultural fest luncheon, the pièce de résistance of the day. Here the students really put their planning and coordination skills to work on everything from handmade centerpieces to individually themed-food stations-including Asian, Caribbean-influenced, and Italian fare provided by the Compass Group.
The entire event integrated the many diverse elements represented in the university's student body, which encompasses varying nationalities and persuasions reflecting its North Miami community.
