Temple hosting virtual conference for sports, tourism industries

The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) is hitting many industries and businesses across the region hard — as non-essential businesses remain closed and people are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible. Among the industries impacted are the hospitality, tourism and sports industries.

In response to what is happening in the industry — Temple University’s School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management is moving ahead with its annual Connect & Converse Event — but in a different format.

The conference will now be a virtual conference, scheduled for Wednesday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to noon, and conducted via Zoom. Normally an in-person event, the Connect & Converse conference has been opened to all industry professionals — free of charge.

The event will feature panel discussions focusing on topics that include crisis management, applying for the job you want, virtual interviewing, tips and tricks for interviewing in person and Linkedin. There will also be networking and human resource “toolkit” sessions including virtual interviewing tips, and maximizing a LinkedIn presence, according to the school.

According to Christine Cleaver, assistant professor, School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management at Temple

University, the annual event had already been planned for April 1 as an in-person event, but the spread of the virus required the school to make a change.

“The agenda did change. We had to go to a panel and seminar format vs. face to face conversation format,” she said, adding the in-person format would have allowed for networking talks and mock interviews.

Cleaver added that the event will provide valuable information and skills to students, recent graduates and industry professionals.

“We have made a large effort to make sure all parties will gain insight,” she added.

As of Monday morning, nearly 200 attendees had registered for the event. The event will feature speakers and panelists from a variety of organizations including: Booking.com, the Cleveland Indians, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Atlanta Braves, Lower Makefield Township Parks & Recreation, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, Lokal Artisan Foods, HelmBriscoe, Aramark, Spectra, Zenspire Communications, J. Cooperstein Hospitality Consulting, Jaws Youth Playbook, Destination DC and the Philadelphia Flower Show.

To register, visit the Connect & Converse website at https:// sthm.temple.edu/events/connect-and-converse-2020/

The School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management (STHM) at Temple University was established in 1998.