TEYLA PITASSI
INDUSTRY CONNECTIONS
MESA LA TRIP FALL 2014
Meetings & Events Student Association
The Meetings and Events Student Association Fall LA Trip was the second major trip I was able to take part in. It is a three-day tour of specific meetings and events venues around the Los Angeles County that we were able to connect with the meeting planner at the specific locations. There they would provide tours of the facility and then open up for any questions. We really got a deep understanding of the jobs and responsibilities of the planners at each location. The jobs varied from location to location to the facility. We had the amazing opportunity to connect with the meeting planners from the following locations: The Graystone Manner Night Club, The Walt Disney Music Concert Hall, The Birch Aquarium of the Pacific, The Queen Mary, Rolando Beach Library, and the SLS Hotel. Just being able to see the different types of events that can be held in unique spaces and what it takes to make it successful is truly amazing. During the three days, I was able to connect with many meeting professionals and learn so much about the industry.
IMEX- FUTURE LEADERS FORUM 2016
"Future Leader" Participant
In October of 2015, I knew a couple of students that were given the opportunity to attend IMEX- Future Leaders Forum. Hearing the networking connections they made and how the experience changed them, I knew right at that moment I had to go in 2016. I told my professor that I want to attend in the following year and one year later I was able to take part of an amazing opportunity along with seven other students. Being one of eight students out of 500 students in the Hospitality Program was just an amazing opportunity I was given. I am so blessed I was able to experience the close networks the meetings and events field has. IMEX is a tradeshow for the incentive travel, meetings, and events industry around the world. There were exhibitors from tourism organizations, exhibitions services, vendors, and professional associations showcasing what they have to offer to attendees. Specifically the Future Leaders Forum encompassed of a 2-day workshop for students. There were panel discussions, interactive team building exercises, round table sessions, and an opportunity to be guided on the trade floor. This was for “Future Leaders”, so every industry professional helped the students and myself in any way, providing us tips and passing their knowledge of the industry to us.
Once at the conference I learned so much and was exposed to so many things I never thought was possible. From seeing the variety of directions one can take in the hospitality field, to it being like a family reunion for most since everyone are friends. Unfortunately, from this amazing opportunity, it has confused me even more on the direction I want to take after graduation. For the last year and a half I have been saying I would like to pursue a career in food and beverage/ catering field. However when I met an employee from Signs Company during a breakout session, my thought process changed. She told me, “Sometimes we put ourselves in a daze. Saying we want to do this or go in this direction, over and over again. We end up convincing ourselves that this is the only direction for us rather than being open minded to other opportunities that come in our path.” This has stuck with me and influenced me tremendously, as I feel like I have fallen in this trap. Food and beverage/ catering is what I am convincing myself to pursue. This has only helped me to see other options. That is why I have accepted the temporary position with Cadence Travel to see if this is true. Not only from this perspective, but the professional network that I received has expanded it tremendously. I am so grateful for this opportunity because it has truly changed me for the better.
IAAPA LEADERSHIP ROLES JANUARY 2016
International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions
I was asked to participate in the IAAPA Conference as the AV Tech on the SDSU campus in January 2016. IAAPA is the International Association of Amusement Parks & Attractions. This is a conference where 20 industry professionals from around the world who work with or in an amusement park or attraction. There were participants from China, Canada, Minnesota, Sweden, and many more. It is a weeklong conference where the industry professionals learn about leadership and how to take the information learned and implement it in their own parks. They also conduct real case studies on the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld San Diego and then present it to the executives of that park. This is a very intensive training for these professionals.
As part of my responsibility I would make sure all the equipment was set up properly and have music playing during their breakout sessions to making sure all the AV was set in the destinations like the Zoo and SeaWorld. I was also able to walk around SeaWorld with a group of 5 professionals, take notes and feedback for their presentation. I would have to create a PowerPoint for them to present. This opportunity was very informative and allowed me to learn so much about the amusement parks and attractions field of hospitality. Not only being able to connect with these industry professionals and get to know them on a personal level during the week was a big blessing.