The Exchange: Dean’s Message November 2024

Celebrating the Launch of the Hospitality Management Minor 

Dear Alumni, Students, Donors, and Employers, 

I am thrilled to share a remarkable milestone for the UofL College of Business—the launch of our new Hospitality Management Minor. This exciting development was celebrated with over 100 Louisville tourism business leaders, faculty, staff, students, and members of the press in our atrium, marking a significant step forward for both our students and the hospitality industry. 

Louisville’s tourism sector is on a rapid growth trajectory, now leading in salary growth among local industries. The sector employs over 27,000 individuals and generates approximately $3.5 billion in annual revenue. From the expansion of bourbon tourism to the city’s thriving music festivals, Louisville has become a hub for dynamic hospitality experiences. However, our city still lags behind in hotel capacity compared to neighboring cities like Nashville and Indianapolis. To address this gap, the Louisville Hotel Partnership (LHP) consortium was formed, and this summer, they generously committed $500,000 to support our College in launching this new program. 

The journey to this milestone began two years ago, thanks to the efforts of faculty and staff members Ryan Quinn and Allison Commings, who initiated the conversation with tourism leaders. Since then, we have strengthened our engagement with the industry. For example our Center for Free Enterprise hosted events like the Louisville Tourism Panel and Bourbon Industry Panel, which further connected us with the business community. These events reaffirm the value of gathering in person, sharing stories, and building relationships with industry leaders in ways that propel our mission forward. 

The celebration marks a significant step in our CONNECT and LEARN strategic goals, echoing the success of last spring’s Commercial Real Estate Minor launch, which continues to resonate with our partners. 

Thank you all for your ongoing support in helping us improve life through business! 

Warm regards, 

Dr. Jeff Guan
Interim Dean, UofL College of Business

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About the UofL College of Business:

Founded in 1953, the UofL College of Business fosters intellectual and economic vitality in our city, region, and the global business landscape. Our academic programs, research, community outreach initiatives, and commitment to student success inspire lives and businesses to flourish through entrepreneurship, innovation, critical thinking, diversity, and the power of people.

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