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(Cincinnati, OH – Nov. 18, 2016) The Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau has announced the formation of a task force to lead its efforts in creating the Cincinnati USA Institute for Hospitality Leadership. The Institute will create an education program for students in grades seven through college, preparing them to be career professionals in the hospitality and tourism industry. Members of the task force include leaders from various fields of the hospitality and tourism sector, as well as educators. They will oversee the creation of the curriculum and its implementation into schools. “This group represents the best in our business working with educators to create a program that will give students the tools needed for a successful career,” said Dan Lincoln, president and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We are a growing industry and we soon will need a larger, deeper and more diverse pool of talent in our region.” In Cincinnati, the tourism industry brings nearly $4.5 billion in direct visitor spending and supports 74,000 local jobs. In fact, 1 in 14 jobs in Hamilton County is tourism related. From 2011-2015, hospitality and tourism grew 12.5 percent, making it the second fastest growing sector during that time in the state. “Tourism is a fast growth, big business for our state,” said Melinda Huntley, executive director of the Ohio Travel Association. “Ohio ranks seventh in the nation in the number of jobs in the leisure and hospitality industry, and the members of this task force understand why this initiative is needed.” Members of the task force range from state and local tourism officials to leaders of hospitality businesses and educators. Jason Dunn, vice president of multicultural and community development for the CVB is leading the task force. Task force members are: |
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