Spring Break
SJSU to celebrate international hospitality
Shannon Barry
Daily Staff Writer
- Page 1 of 1
Tickets are on sale for $65 per person, or two tickets at $50 apiece.
Mandi Tomasello, co-director of the celebration, said that this year, there will be a live band along with 35 vendors providing different appetizers, entrees, desserts, wine, beer and nonalcoholic drinks.
"It is definitely for people who like to communicate and like people," said Karina Nacimento, media relations coordinator of the celebration. "There is always something going on and you have to talk to a lot of people."
Nacimento added that this is her first year working on the event, but it has been a worthwhile experience.
"It has been a very good experience and I am looking forward to the night," she said. "I want to see how everything turns out because I have been working hard."
Tomasello said 500 people attended the event last year, but event coordinators have had a lot of luck getting in touch with local media this year, including radio spots. Tomasello said as of Friday she expected 400 people to attend, but added that she expects ticket sales to increase.
While it is a good experience for students to get involved with professionals in their industry, Kate Sullivan, associate professor of hospitality management, said administrators from the university will attend, including interim President Don Kassing and interim Provost Carmen Sigler.
"There is a huge silent auction with items such as a trip to Mazatlan, hotel and resort hotel stays, high-end dining restaurant experiences, art work and spa certificates," Sullivan said.
The event is put together by students from Sullivan's Conference, Convention and Event Planning class who have to volunteer as a part of their class grade.
"It is a way of introducing you to event management," Sullivan said. "Then you can choose to use it as your internship for two units or as an independent study project."
She added that this year, there are 20 people on the committee, including two directors, Tomasello and Tracy Nakagawa.
"It is a learning experience for the students in the sense we have to learn how to work as a group in all the different legal aspects," Tomasello said.
Nacimento said when she sees the event Thursday, it is all going to pay off. But, she said, the experience has been stressful, as dealing with other people can be tough.
With the students working diligently to put this event on, they have managed to have many participants including Hawgs Seafood Bar, Tandoori Oven, Doubletree Hotel, Spencers Steak and Chops, Teske's Germania and Peet's Coffee.
Many of these are returning companies, but from an event that started as an advisory board with 10 booths, Tomasello said she is glad it has grown from its beginning 14 years ago.
To buy tickets call (408) 792-4138 or visit www.ihcticketinfo.com/
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