From festivals and sporting events to conventions and luxury weddings, every great
event is the product of careful planning and flawless execution. Hilton College is
preparing the next generation of professionals to deliver both through its Event &
Meeting Management track, introduced last year within the B.S. in Global Hospitality
Leadership program.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of meeting, convention,
and event planners is projected to rise 6% through 2035, faster than the average for
all occupations. Student interest is climbing as well, with 54 students enrolled in
the track as of fall 2026.
"Students are recognizing how rewarding and diverse a career in event management can
be," said Raymond Arevelo, director of student recruitment.
This track prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities across the hospitality industry. While many people immediately associate event planning with weddings, Erin Kenyan, instructional associate professor and faculty advisor to Hilton College's National Association for Catering and Events (NACE) student chapter, said the field extends far beyond social events. "I want them to know that there's more to event planning than being a wedding planner.”
In her class, students explore paths in convention services, destination marketing, venue management, catering, tourism, event sales, production, and much more.
Learning by Running Real Events
The track's defining feature is experiential learning. In the Event Production course, every student is required to help implement an event, from creating agendas and coordinating vendors to managing décor, setup, and breakdown. Students have helped deliver events including the Admitted Student Dinner, Welcome Picnic, Experience Hilton College, and Counselor's Luncheon.
"I work closely with these students on the design, planning, and execution of these events, giving them an opportunity to apply what they are learning in the classroom to real-world experiences," Arevelo said.
For Hilton College student Arilene Bonilla, the track opened up a side of hospitality she hadn't considered. "I had primarily been working in restaurants, and I was interested in learning more about the events side of hospitality and exploring a different career path within the industry," Bonilla said.
Since joining the track, she has completed an event management internship with a nonprofit organization, helped plan the Admitted Student Dinner, and now serves as HR & Marketing Manager for Gourmet Night.
"Being able to work on events like the Admitted Student Dinner and Gourmet Night has helped me better understand what goes into planning and executing an event and has made me more confident in pursuing this area of hospitality," she said.
What it Means for Employers
Students are already looking for event-focused internships and jobs. "We're working to educate our employer partners about the new track and the growing interest among our students so we can help connect them with relevant opportunities," said Ashley Shepherd, director of career development.
Employers interested in recruiting graduates or partnering on events can contact the Career Development office: ghlcareerdev@uh.edu. The payoff is a pipeline of graduates who have already helped plan and deliver real events before their first day on the job.