Hannah Mattar discovered the opportunity through the American Hotel and Lodging Education Foundation. The scholarship is given to hospitality management majors, and she was awarded the scholarship for her junior and senior year at Ashland University. Every year, AH&LEF hosts The Lodging Conference and selects ten universities across the country to select one student to attend the conference at no expense. There were several criteria that the student had to have to be eligible for the conference. Hannah Mattar was the only one at Ashland University to meet the criteria for the conference.
The Lodging Conference took place at the Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa, in Phoenix Arizona. It was a four-day event that covered new trends in the industry, profit maximization, and property renovation.
Hannah Mattar learned a tremendous amount of the lodging industry. When asked about the most important skill she gained, Hannah says the ability to network. She had the opportunity to meet CEO’s of prestigious companies from all around the world. As each day of the conference went on, she felt more in her element and at ease when speaking with high-end executives as her peers. Hannah states, “Many of the connections I made at the conference have led to potential job opportunities, which is exciting as I am getting closer to graduation. I am so very thankful that my professors believed in me because without their knowledge and guidance; I wouldn’t be where I am today.”
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