NYU has created an intern program for hospitality students. Photo Credit: MichaelVi for Adobe Stock
Two organizations are investing in the future of the meetings industry and its workforce.
The Exhibitions Industry Collective has announced a nationwide initiative to introduce students and young professionals to career paths in the meetings industry. By collaborating with schools, the program aims to address the workforce gap and increase awareness about job opportunities in event planning, logistics, marketing and more.
Key elements of the initiative include:
- Educational presentations: Professionals from the industry will visit universities to provide insights into careers in meetings and events.
- Resource toolkit: Participants will receive speaking notes, email communications, speaker training and FAQs, a PowerPoint presentation, and key messaging points.
- Social media engagement: Both presenters and students are encouraged to share their experiences by using designated hashtags — #exhibitionsmeanbusiness, #eventprofs and #careersinexhibitions — and tagging participating industry associations.
- Impact tracking: A reporting system will evaluate the program’s success by collecting data on the number of students reached and their level of interest in industry careers.
To access the full set of resources, visit exhibitionsindustryawareness.com.
New York University creates apprenticeship fund
The New York University School of Professional Studies has established the J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Workforce Apprenticeship Fund, a $5 million grant to help the NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center for Hospitality create an innovative program to prepare students to enter the workforce.
"We expect programs like this to be engines of economic opportunity and growth for students, employers and global destinations, such as New York City," said Mieka Wick, CEO of the JWASM Foundation. "We look forward to working with the NYU SPS Tisch Center for Hospitality to make these career opportunities a reality, while helping to address an industrywide need for well-prepared and dedicated early-career employees with aspirations to grow and develop in this opportunity-rich industry."
Through the apprenticeship fund, students or skilled professionals can work as interns and earn up to 30 credits toward an associate's degree in hospitality. Upon completing the remaining credits, participants will be prepared for full-time hospitality jobs, or they have the option to continue their studies and earn a bachelor's degree.
"Our Workforce Apprentice Program will provide students with significant hands-on professional experience and networking opportunities, while earning academic credits toward an associate degree at NYU SPS," said Nicolas Graf, associate dean of the Tisch Center for Hospitality. "We are thankful for the Marriott Foundation’s generous donation to help reduce barriers to entry, and to build a robust pipeline of skilled hospitality professionals through engaging applied-learning opportunities, professional mentoring, lower tuition costs and seamless links to earn degrees."
In addition to the JWASM Foundation, the Alliance for Hospitality Equity and Diversity, the AHLA Foundation and leading hospitality firms will collaborate with NYU to develop the program’s practice-oriented curriculum and experiential initiative, and create meaningful apprenticeship positions that promote more rapid entry, professional satisfaction, and sustained employment in hospitality and tourism.
Applications for the spring 2026 associate's degree in hospitality are available now.