UW Students Will Compete in Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Student Innovation Challenge May 6

The second Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Student Innovation Challenge will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, at the Hilton Garden Inn Laramie.

 

The challenge, which takes place over a semester, is worth three credits and prepares students to apply research, creativity and local storytelling to a hotel renovation project. This year, 16 students in various degree programs across UW enrolled in the course. Wednesday, students will present their final projects.

 

This year’s challenge focuses on the upcoming renovation of the Hilton Garden Inn Laramie into a Graduate by Hilton property. Students have spent the spring semester developing restaurant concepts and design elements that connect the hotel to UW, the community of Laramie and the broader identity of Wyoming. The hands-on competition is designed to provide students with real-world experience in hospitality, branding and guest engagement, with the opportunity to earn a share of $20,000 in cash prize money.

 

Throughout the semester, students have worked closely with brand leaders from Graduate by Hilton, hotel management, including General Manager Marty Schaefer, and leaders from the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation. These collaborations give students direct exposure to industry professionals while preparing them to present their ideas to a panel of judges with expertise in hospitality management.

 

The Pulte Gateway to Hospitality Student Innovation Challenge is made possible through the generous support of the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation and the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute. The foundation’s sponsorship reflects its commitment to creating opportunities for students pursuing careers in tourism and hospitality management.

 

“We are excited to see how students have translated their ideas into concepts that reflect both the Graduate brand and the unique character of Wyoming,” says Sara Ghezzi, an assistant professor of practice, outdoor recreation and tourism management in the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. “This project gives students a meaningful opportunity to engage with industry partners and contribute to a project that will have a lasting impact in Laramie.”

 

The public is invited to attend and support students as they present their final projects.

 

For more information, call Ghezzi at (305) 803-1919 or email sghezzi@uwyo.edu.