Alumni Spotlight

Zsuzsanna Popu

TISOH:  What brought you to TISOH?

Zsuzsanna:  I wanted to move forward in the hospitality industry, and I was looking for the fastest solution to get my degree. I got accepted into two colleges, but the four years seemed too long. I wanted to learn a lot in a short period. I knew what I wanted and what my desired position was. My TISOH Executive Diploma program covered all the knowledge I needed. It was the perfect seven-month length, and also within my budget.

TISOH:  What are you doing now?

Zsuzsanna:  After eight years as an Executive Housekeeper at the Marriott, I have accepted a General Manager position in a brand-new boutique hotel in my town. Without TISOH, it could not have happened. After I received my diploma, I felt more confident to apply for this position. 

My hotel is opening in December. It is exciting and a tremendous amount of work, but I am pleased to lead this hotel to success. I feel that I now have an excellent foundation for my career.

TISOH:  What was your favorite school memory?

Zsuzsanna:  I enjoyed doing my market analysis assignment as it helped me discover all the possibilities of managing a hotel in a small town. I currently live in Danville, Virginia and TISOH has assisted me in my career progression to become a general manager along with resources on how to open a new hotel property. 

TISOH:  What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry? 

Zsuzsanna:  First, you must know the direction you are heading. What department and what position you want to land in. When you clear with that, you know what knowledge you are missing. TISOH has a variety of programs to find the one that fits for you. You must be determined, and you must know why you want that position. Talk, ask questions, and learn from people who are successful in the field you want to enter. Listen to their stories to find your own inspiration and motivation.

Kathleen Laming

Kathleen received her Executive Diploma in Hospitality Operations with an emphasis in Event Management from the International School of Hospitality (TISOH) in 2017.  After graduation, Kathleen received a promotion to Production Coordinator, and eventually landed as a Project Manager with Encore Event Technologies in September 2019.   Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, she was placed on furlough in March 2020.  Never one to sit still for long, Kathleen decided to put her hospitality skills to task when she was asked by a high school acquaintance to help launch a start-up company.  Kathleen joined LinkedHelpers in July 2020, a virtual assistant start-up company, and they are already up and running with a growing client list. 

Here we ask Kathleen to fill us in on how her education and experience helped her on her path. 

TISOH:  Kathleen, thank you for joining us today.  Congratulations on your new venture.  We have so many questions to ask, but I want to start from the beginning. You received your Executive Diploma in Hospitality Operations with an emphasis on Event Management.  You took courses in Conference Management & Event Planning, Event Design & Production, Hospitality Human Resources, and Hospitality Leadership & Supervision. Shortly after graduation you received a promotion at Encore Event Technologies where you were promoted from a clerk position to a production coordinator.  Then a year later, you received another promotion and another one the year after that.  Tell us more about this trajectory that you were on and how you got there.

KATHLEEN:  I was working at Encore in the Business Center as a front desk clerk and I had a lot of extra time so I thought this would be a really good time to go back to school.  I was pregnant during my time at TISOH and I missed my graduation because I went into labor that day.  After I had my baby I knew I needed to get a promotion so when I went back to work, I talked to my supervisor about my classes at TISOH and told them I was interested in doing more so they moved me into production.  Every year after that I received another promotion and eventually became a Project Manager. The classes gave me knowledge and confidence to be successful in my work.

TISOH:  When everything closed in March due to COVID-19, many people thought “give it a month or two and we’ll be back to business soon.”  But then April came, followed by May and June and so on.  At what point, did you begin to put serious thought into this new venture?  Did you ever see yourself becoming an entrepreneur?

KATHLEEN: No, becoming an entrepreneur was never something I had considered before.  I was always that person that took care of operations.  Give me a task and I will take care of it, but I never considered becoming an entrepreneur. In March, when everything closed, I had just returned from a month-long vacation in Asia.  So, when I was placed on furlough, it just felt like another vacation. That is when I decided to join a networking group called Asian Corporate & Entrepreneur Leaders (ACEL).  It is a nonprofit that connects Asian American professionals.  Through ACEL, I reconnected with my high school friend Janine Valentin.  Janine had just started the virtual assistant business, but she was more sales than operations.  She is a great salesperson, but she was using WhatsApp for everything and was feeling overwhelmed.  I told her I wanted to help her get it off the ground.

TISOH: What classes at TISOH do you think benefitted you most in your role as Project Manager and now as partner for a start-up?

KATHLEEN: All of them.  With the event planning and design portion they literally had you start from scratch.  You start with an objective and then TISOH shows you what steps you need to even start.  From there, how do you manage everything?  It is all connected.  With LinkedHelpers, we had to define the objectives such as how do we get more people to read our blogs, and how do we get more people to like our Facebook page and social media platforms.  We had to find a way to put everything in writing so that it was not all just thoughts over coffee.  If you do not organize and document, you can lose important ideas.  That is where Trello came in.  I did not use it until I started working at Encore but it is a great app to document, organize and share steps with clients so everyone can communicate effectively and there are no surprises. 

The Hospitality Human Resources and Hospitality Leadership & Supervision classes at TISOH helped with project management, such as how to work with employees and how to react when things do not go the right way.  It seems like a small part, but it makes you understand that employees have feelings too and they need to know where to go when they have a question or problem.  When you are building a new company, you need to create a foundation.  I told Janine we needed to create a leadership and a company culture that worked well because if you do not have that, it is hard to retain employees.  If you have a high turnover rate, it is hard to get things done.  TISOH also taught me how to neutralize situations where the boss is asking for something, as bosses often do, and employees that become stressed as a result.

At TISOH, we had the opportunity to interact with people from different backgrounds, cultures, and with different personalities. It is a unique opportunity to be in a classroom setting and to be able to see the world through someone else’s point of view.  We had a German student in one of our classes and even her presentation style was different from everyone else. 

TISOH: Tell us more about your new company.  What are your services and who are your clients? 

KATHLEEN: LinkedHelpers offers virtual assistants to help for when you are feeling overwhelmed.  We can help by managing everything from scheduling appointments, to answering emails, sales, and even bookkeeping.  We help clients with projects big and small. This allows business owners to focus on the things they do well and allows them to source out what they do not want to do or do not have the time to do.  We offer customized plans to fit every business’s needs.  Whatever you need help with, we are going to be the person to lean on.

TISOH:  What would you say to someone who is considering going to TISOH?

KATHLEEN: Right now, is the perfect time because everything is slow in the events industry.  Everything is going to pick up again. Many people are leaving their jobs to go to different industries since our industry is not open right now. But when we do open, there is going to be a massive hiring.  A lot of people will have moved on to the next thing in their life and there will be a lot of open spots.  Going to school from home gives you something to do.  Makes you wake up and gets you ready for when the world does come back.  Now is the time.

Gary Bordman

We recently had a chance to catch up with International School of Hospitality graduate, Gary Bordman, CSEP, Interactive Experience Designer.  Gary completed his Event Design & Production Certificate in 2009 as a way to help him prepare for the Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) certification exam.  Which he successfully did!  Additionally, Gary was able to incorporate these skills in his own Las Vegas-based entertainment company, Amusement, Event & Event Services (AE & ES).  

Like many of us who are in the social gathering business, and not the social distancing business, Gary has implemented some exciting new changes to help adapt to the current times.  We wanted to talk to him to learn more about what exiting new things he has been working on and to learn about new trends happening in Virtual and Hybrid Events.

What are some the latest trends happening in the virtual gaming industry?  Tell us about the ones that you love and what trends need to improve.

What I see that works the best are programs that DO NOT use apps for people to join in.  Company phones or laptops do not like them, and IT has to get involved when downloading software.  I like seeing more people participate in games like Trivia and our Rock Star Music Bingo.  These are a lot of fun when the attendees know what to do in advance and can come prepared for the party.   

Programs that are not as successful are where the attendees do not understand what to do.  This often happens because the company putting on the game or event did not have a waiting room with instructions on what to do prior to the event starting.  I also see problems where they have the right tech team in the program, but they left it up to a salesperson to execute.  Short cuts and underpricing will not cut it in the virtual and hybrid world. 

Watch the video below to see how Gary brings the fun virtually! Experience it live by registering for our upcoming Game Night!

Can you share how your education at TISOH helped prepare you for this challenging time our industry?

Taking the Event Design & Production course at TISOH helped to keep me moving in our current event world by giving me the right tools.  It also gave me insight into which types events need to change.  The SWOT Analysis [Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats] taught in the classroom never included COVID but using those same ideas of breaking down what can go wrong helped.  Working through the budget on how to price these new programs that we are offering and creating a virtual event venue to host programs in came to light by way of conversations with other TISOH alumni and staff.   I constantly call on my instructor or I will chat with other TISOH grads when ideas come up because I want to bounce ideas off people that I respect.

Trust in those people you surround yourself with, bounce ideas off them and listen to their input.  We are all stronger working and collaborating as a group and more powerful than the ONE.  

Can you share what new exciting games you have been working on at AE&ES?

We are constantly working on creating new experiences and programs that will bring in that Real Life experience to the virtual event.  Currently I am working on a Virtual Golf Tournament that will be a feasible option for getting people together when they can play a round of golf together from their homes.  Just wait and see. It will be a game changer.

Thuy Diep (2-E Deep)

Since graduating from The International School of Hospitality (TISOH) in 2013 with a Diploma in Hospitality Operations with a dual emphasis in Conference Management and Events, Thuy Diep has been trailblazing her way through the industry. She has achieved a number of certifications since then: Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP), Destination Management Certified Professional (DMCP), and Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP). In 2016, she was named to the 22 Millennials to Watch list by Meetings & Conventions Magazine. In 2019, Thuy became a board member of the SEARCH Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides financial support for events, meetings, and catering professionals in crisis. Most recently, Thuy was elected as President of the International Live Events Association, Los Angeles Chapter (ILEA LA). Based in Venice Beach, California, you can often find Thuy roller skating on the boardwalk.

We had a chance to talk with Thuy about her thoughts on the current state of the industry and to see what new developments might be on the horizon, particularly in virtual events.

A NEW PERSPECTIVE TO ENGAGE THE VIRTUAL AUDIENCE

What would you like to see happen in virtual events?

I would love for event planners and trusted supplier partners to have an awareness on how they once planned and contributed to live events, and that it is much different in the virtual world. Instead of checking off tasks on their ‘to-do’ list using prior industry knowledge, these creative creators should continue to seek additional education, provide a sounding board of collaboration with others, and rewire the brain to all the possibilities of these technology platforms – the new opportunities to truly create lasting experiences is breathtaking! Once that can be done, the audiences will feel more engaged, clients and stakeholders will see more ROI (return on investment), and maybe we as an industry won’t feel so exhausted mentally staring at a computer screen all day.

Are there any trends you anticipate with virtual events?

I see more unique topics surfacing and fun interactive ways to incorporate into team building, CSR (corporate social responsibilities), and charity fundraisers. For example: ILEA Los Angeles in collaboration with the Las Vegas and Portland chapters, are hosting a Virtual Drag Bingo, on Monday, August 31st at 6pm PST and proceeds go to local LGTBQ+ nonprofits in those destinations. Another trend is moving from virtual events to hybrid events as city regulations and safety protocols are being implemented. If you’d like to hear more about professional hybrid events and opinions, check out the “What is a Hybrid Event?” episode on Event Brew Podcast. Lastly, keeping virtual events concise, short, and sweet with more compassion and understanding of life outside our professional lives. We are all in this together and trying our best to get by. That is a trend I hope sticks!

Juliet Douglas

What brought you to TISOH?  

I was planning on opening up my own independent wedding consulting business and wanted some additional education and networking opportunities. My resume already included a job as a wedding chapel coordinator on the Las Vegas Strip as well as experience at a banquet facility, to name a few. But, I wanted to take it to the next level. I called the school and spoke to Tim Lam and he was so warm and welcoming. From what I remember, I signed up right away. I was the 2nd graduating class!

What are you doing now?  

Due to COVID-19, my latest position was eliminated. I was working for The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas as an Account Executive with the Restaurant Group Sales team.  Fortunately, my husband and I signed a lease at the beginning of 2020 for our first specialty coffee bar. We hired a General Manager and Lead Barista to help us open our concept since neither of us had ever worked in coffee. I also really enjoyed my job and had planned on staying employed. However, with my new found free time, I've been pouring myself into additional digital marketing classes and really focusing on our marketing and social media efforts. The shop is called Golden Fog Coffee and we are located in the heart of the Downtown Las Vegas Arts District on the ground level of the new shareDOWNTOWN apartment building. We will be open around the first week of September!

What was your favorite school memory?  

I loved getting a chance to meet with industry professionals such as floral designers and photographers and being able to be on site for real events through my internship. We also had a fun, intimate group in class and I'm still friends with some of my former classmates to this day! 

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?  

Do your research and find out what area of hospitality interests you. I worked in all areas of hospitality and really found my home in events. You have to love people - working with them and serving them. Learning a second language may also give you an advantage.

Brenda Geller

What brought you to TISOH?

The reason I pursued a diploma program at TISOH is because I am a product designer at heart. However, my career at the time was in a totally different field. I knew that if I really wanted to change my focus to doing what I love, I needed to prepare and to learn the industry from the best people.

Even though I was 40 at the time, I did not stop chasing my dream! I knew the key was to be open-minded to returning to school so I could prepare properly for new challenges and opportunities.

What are you doing now?

I started my wedding and event planning business called Infinite Event Design in August of 2018. I joined the Alumni Board the next year as a Director and also became Chairperson of our TISOH Entrepreneur Committee (stay tuned for future meeting announcements). Most excitingly, I began teaching at TISOH where I am able to come full circle and apply my expertise and knowledge to a new group of event professionals.

What was your favorite school memory? 

I enjoyed being around so many top-notch people from the hospitality industry, going to site visits and most importantly, meeting new colleagues who became my friends.

What advice do you have for fellow alums looking to get into the hospitality industry?

Keep learning and never stop. Learning is what keeps us relevant and on top of industry trends. Also, do not be afraid of contacting people. Some will not respond back but others will surprise you. Lastly be ready to help, support, and collaborate with other fellow artists, planners, and vendors. Remember that being present reminds people of who you are.

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