In the five-day hospitality week, students, members of the faculty and industry leaders will discuss key hospitality business, leadership and social impact issues

Marriott International and Howard University have announced the inaugural Howard Hospitality Week, an event beginning October 25 that will bring together the Howard community and hospitality leaders to discuss the need for more diverse and equitable opportunities within the hospitality industry. Over five days, students, members of the faculty and industry leaders will gather on Howard’s historic campus in Washington DC to tackle key hospitality business, leadership and social impact issues. Howard hospitality week is an outgrowth of the work the university and The J Willard and Alice S Marriott Foundation have begun to create the Marriott-Sorenson Center for hospitality leadership housed within the University’s School of Business. The effort aligns with Howard’s five-pillar howard forward strategic plan, which emphasises initiatives that serve the community by working with corporate partners to maximise job creation and train a diverse workforce.

“Marriott International is proud to collaborate with Howard University to convene this week-long dialogue and series of educational seminars to drive necessary conversations around diversity, equity and inclusion. Howard hospitality week is one of the many ways we are challenging ourselves to remove barriers and improve access to career and entrepreneur opportunities at the highest levels. The development of the Marriott-Sorenson Center along with innovative events, like howard hospitality week, is intended to build a pipeline of diverse leadership talent, which is a priority for Marriott and our industry,” said Anthony Capuano, CEO, Marriott International.

“We are very excited to welcome Marriott International to Howard University’s campus for this inaugural convening that will deepen Howard students’ knowledge of opportunities in the hospitality industry. From the beginning, our partnership with The J Willard and Alice S Marriott Foundation and Marriott International has been about engaging Howard students in ways that will drive opportunity and impact in the hospitality sector. This event will serve to inspire and educate Howard students while giving them space to offer ideas and insights that will make a tremendous difference in the industry,”  said Dr Wayne AI Frederick, President, Howard University.

Howard hospitality week will include virtual and in-person access to a variety of on-campus events planned for students, including, case competition, educational sessions, love travels summit. “The inaugural Howard hospitality week will allow students to understand what a career in hospitality leadership could mean for them and how they can achieve their goal of making a difference in the world through careers in this comprehensive industry. The Howard University School of Business is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to host this convening on our campus, and we know this will kick-start many of our students’ engagement with the Marriott-Sorenson Center for Hospitality Leadership,” said Anthony Wilbon, Dean, Howard University School of Business.