Walters State promotes hospitality studies

Walters State Community College was prominently represented at the February 16 meeting of the Gatlinburg Lodging & Hospitality Association at Calhoun’s Banquet Hall. Ronnie Taylor, Director of Education Services, gave an overview of the community college, while Joe Fall, Director of Hospitality Business, spoke about their hotel and culinary programs. Hospitality students Patrick Beaudreau and Michele Blakeman spoke about how attending Walters State Community College has helped them in their careers. Taylor praised Sevier County for their support of the five-year old Sevier County campus of Walters State Community College, which was built with money donated by local citizens and the three cities. “I don’t know of another community that is so supportive of education,” said Taylor, adding that they are currently raising funds to expand the campus. Taylor said that WSCC is a two-year college that offers one-year certificate programs, two-year associate degrees, and two-year transfer programs to four-year colleges, as well as on-line programs. He explained that WSCC has a teacher/student ratio of 25-30 students per teacher, which makes it possible for the students to receive a lot of personal attention unlike in a large educational institution.Fall spoke in more detail about WSCC’s successful hospitality business programs, which include a culinary program and a hotel/restaurant management program, both of which support Sevier County’s strong tourism industry. He stressed that students are well prepared to enter the tourism workforce as professionals at an entry management level. Fall praised the Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce and the Gatlinburg Lodging & Hospitality Association for their support. “We’ve received thousands of dollars in scholarship help,” said Fall. “You get more loyal employees, when you invest in your employees. I can’t stress enough how important it is to invest in the employees working for us.” He is especially proud of the students that have gone through the program and are now working in Sevier County. Both Beaudreau and Blakeman praised the education that they have received from Walters State Community College’s Hospitality Business Program. Beaudreau is now the office manager at Highlands Condominiums in Gatlinburg and Blakeman moved up from front desk clerk to shift leader to sales coordinator at Clarion Inn & Suites in Gatlinburg. Beaudreau said that WSCC really helps you get out into the real world, while Blakeman said that WSCC has certainly helped her to get ahead. Members of the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism also spoke at the GLHA monthly meeting about upcoming special events for the spring and summer. George Hawkins, Director of GDOT Special Events, said that Gatlinburg’s Midnight Fourth of July Parade will be 30 years old today, and reminisced about the skepticism he encountered when he first proposed the event. “It’s now known as one of the most unique parades in the country,” said Hawkins. “I’m real proud of it.” Events Coordinator Jon Elder introduced the Sevier County Events Calendar and the Springfest brochure. “Eighty percent (of the visitors to Gatlinburg) are repeat visitors,” said Elder. “They’re looking for that extra special something to do that weekend.” Events Coordinator Sandra Donahue spoke about the April 21 Rib Fest, which is combined with the Flower and Garden Show this year. “ It’s a great event,” she said.GLHA members also learned about a brand new special event, the May 21 - 22 Fine Arts Festival, from Karl Thomas with Ripley’s Aquarium who is on the event’s organizing committee. “About eight or ten or us have been working about a year on this,” said Thomas. “We’re all volunteers. We thought Gatlinburg was a perfect venue for a Fine Arts Festival. It’s all non-profit with funds going to the Gatlinburg Gateway Foundation, the Sevier County Arts Council, and the Arrowmont School of Arts & Crafts.” Thomas said it will be a juried art event with high quality artwork represented. He said they’ve gotten excellent artists to participate and are now working to get the word out to potential visitors, especially people interested in the arts. In other business:• Steve Williams with Brochure Distribution talked about how their service has expanded since its beginning in the 1960’s. He said that they now distribute brochures not only locally but also in Knoxville and statewide through the welcome centers and most recently through Pilots, Wendy’s, and Burger King. “We do it as a break-even venture,” said Williams, “and give the savings back to the community (through reduced pricing.)” • Rich Benjamin with Dixie Stampede described their $2.3 million expansion of the Carriage Room and 2,300 square foot gift shop to GLHA members and said the construction should be finished in late March. He stated that Dixie Stampede is in its 17th season and sometimes does as many as five shows a day. “We never imagined we’d grow the way we have,” said Benjamin. “Dixie Stampede works with all three cities and all facets of lodging. We try to be a resource and a partner in your community.” • Trade Show Committee member Sam Chesser invited all present to participate in the March 16 4th Annual Allied Hospitality Trade Show, which is being sponsored by the area’s four lodging associations: the Gatlinburg Lodging & Hospitality Association, the Pigeon Forge Hotel & Lodging Association, the Sevierville Lodging Association, and the Smoky Mountain Lodging Association. “It’s a great opportunity to shop vendors,” said Chesser. “It’s been a great event the last three years.”