Elizabeth Blau, Leader in the Hospitality Industry, Visits the University of Wyoming to Share Insights with Students

The University of Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute brings real-world opportunities directly to learners’ doorsteps. Last week was no exception as it hosted, in collaboration with the College of Business, Elizabeth Blau, a restaurateur, consultant, and heavy hitter in the hospitality space. Among her many accomplishments, she was instrumental in establishing the Bellagio in Las Vegas as a top-tier dining location. 

Blau has been building up culinary destinations across the country since the 1990s. She formerly served under prominent real-estate developer Steve Wynn as the senior vice president of restaurant development for MGM/Mirage. Following her time in that role, she struck out on her own to open several successful restaurants. CNBC had her on as a shark on its Restaurant Startup program, which ran for three seasons as a reality show on which aspiring entrepreneurs would pitch their ideas to try to win venture-capital support and consulting assistance. 

 

Today Blau is at the head of her own hospitality-consulting company, Blau & Associates. She was invited to Laramie to function as the final installment of the College of Business’ Smyrnios Speaker Series, having now joined a roster of high-profile speakers who’ve all arrived on campus to share their stories of success. 

 

On the night of Monday, March 2, she sat, dined, and chatted with a group of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management (ORTM) students at Altitude Chophouse & Brewery downtown. She hopped from table to table, talking through projects, proposals, and questions she received. 

 

The next day, she filled the university’s Scarlett Auditorium. There she presented more about the journey her career’s sent her on. She started with explaining that everything along her path wouldn’t have found her had it not been for a taco. Presently, she’s been doing work internationally, implementing her masterful touch in countries around the world. 

 

“You’ve just got to do,” she said as she walked those in attendance through her presentation. “You have one reputation, and you’ve got to protect it like gold.”

 

 

Blau urged the body of people gathered to make themselves allergic to rejection, saying that her disgust of the word “no” has helped her persevere when she otherwise might not have been able to. She stated she only has many clients in the capacity she operates in because of her fierceness, and the message of that landed. 

 

“I thought Ms. Blau’s underdog story as being a woman in a male-dominated field was inspiring and shows that there is a place for everyone in positions of leadership,” said ORTM student Will Weitzel. 

The afternoon’s visit from Blau concluded with a simple axiom of hers: “Stay inspired; it’s only the beginning.” She ended her trip by signing copies of her book, Honey Salt: A Culinary Scrapbook, in the Jonah Bank Atrium, where wide-eyed students had a brief chance to interact with her one-on-one.