Eye on the Experience Industry

Niagara University's students served in internships this past summer for the Buffalo Bisons and Rochester Red Wings. Hear Cameron Barnes, Michael Clark, Mylie Philbrick, and Makayla Robinson discuss their roles and how these experiences added to their educational experience at NU.

The experience economy is valued at over $12 trillion, with people seeking meaningful and memorable moments through hospitality, special events, and participatory and spectator sports. Eye on the Experience Industry, a podcast from Niagara University’s College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management (CoHST), explores this dynamic field through the voices of alumni, faculty, students, and industry partners.In this episode, we’re joined by Brandi Guerinot, acting dean of CoHST, who shares insights on how students are engaging in experiential learning opportunities over the summer. She discusses innovative sport and hospitality partnerships and how the college continues to expand real-world learning experiences that prepare students for leadership in the global experience industry.

Founded in 1927, the Club Management Association of America (CMAA) is the largest professional association for club management professionals. Its 6,800 members contribute to the success of more than 2,500 country, golf, athletic, city, faculty, military, town, and yacht clubs. Niagara University’s CMAA Student Chapter, which was established on March 30, 2006, will see a change in leadership next year. We recently had a chance to chat with Molly Passow, the out-going president of NU’s chapter, and Althea Simmons, who will now serve as president of the organization.

The "experience industry" includes businesses and services that work to create memorable and engaging experiences for their customers. In Buffalo, NY, one of those organizations is Shea's Performing Arts Center (SPAC). In this episode we catch up with NU student Baileigh Racky, who is one of a group of students who are working with the advancement team at SPAC to help create a customer experience and emotional connection that goes beyond the transactional.

This week we speak with Carrie Hontz Klauk, who graduated from Niagara in 2005. While at NU, Carrie found her wings. Like many successful career stories, Carrie’s career was not a straight line. During the podcast she explains how she used her education and experiences at NU to build a successful career in the sport fitness industry.

In February, John Weglarski and Katherine Foerg were among a group of NU students who traveled to Cincinnati to participate in the Applied Sport Management Association (ASMA) Conference. The students attended educational sessions and participated in a unique case-study exercise. The students were accompanied by Dr. Cheryl Rode, the chair of Niagara University’s Sport and Recreation Management program. Dr. Rode also serves as a Member-At-Large of the Executive Committee of ASMA.

Eight students from Niagara University’s College of Hospitality, Sport, and Tourism Management traveled to New Orleans to see what goes into organizing the National Football League’s showcase event, and they worked behind the scenes at Super Bowl LIX for a one-of-a-kind experiential learning opportunity.On the days leading up to the big game, the students participated in a variety of tasks at the NFL Experience presented by Panini at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. As an integral part of these celebratory events and activities, they learned the skills that are needed to host and execute a major hospitality, sport, and tourism event.

The premier of Eye on the Experience Industry takes a look at the Niagara University College of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management (CoHST), and continues with an overview of the state of youth sports. Tom Burns hosts the episode and welcomes Dr. Bridget Niland, the dean of CoHST and Dr. Darren Treadway, associate professor in the university's Sport Management department.