In this episode of Alumni Voices, I speak with Hatsumi Abuku, Country Manager at FutureLog in Japan. As well as, Director of Sales for FCS Solutions. From her early dreams of hotel work to leadership in hospitality tech, Hatsumi shares how internships helped her grow professionally—and personally.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Hatsumi’s internships in banquet and sales departments gave her firsthand experience that helped shape her understanding of hotel operations and career direction.
• She reflects on how those early roles pushed her to speak more, overcome her shyness, and develop the communication skills essential for her future in sales.
• A difficult experience with harassment during her internship taught her the importance of advocating for herself and helped her realize the strength of her own voice.
• She emphasizes the value of rotating through different departments during internships and wishes she had been exposed to more cross-functional learning.
• Now working in hospitality technology, she encourages Japan’s hotel industry to embrace more tech-forward approaches to reduce labor challenges and improve work-life balance.

In this Alumni Voices episode Pedram Pakneshan, Vice President of Convention Sales at Wynn Las Vegas, shares how he built a 20-year career in hospitality sales starting from food service roles in college. Pedram discusses the power of networking, the value of structured mentorship, and the importance of personal branding for students entering the industry. His story is a masterclass in determination, humility, and readiness.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Pedram started his career in entry-level campus dining roles, gradually advancing through leadership positions that taught him organization, attention to detail, and communication.
• A summer at UNLV and a hands-on event experience in Las Vegas sparked his passion for the scale and energy of the hospitality industry in that city.
• He landed his career-making opportunity at Wynn through strategic networking, follow-through, and taking initiative — including a cold follow-up to a contact from Dr. Jones.
• Though he didn’t complete a formal internship, he created a customized experiential learning plan with a supervisor, mirroring the best aspects of an internship model.
• Pedram now mentors students and interns, emphasizing that internship experiences should be tailored to each individual’s learning goals — and that employers should listen, not just teach.
• He encourages students to develop their personal brand, do their research, and polish their professional presentation — these basic yet powerful steps often set candidates apart.
• If he could do it again, he would pursue a rotational internship to better understand all departments — from front desk to housekeeping — as preparation for cross-functional leadership.

If this is your first time to the IOI podcast, it is recommended you start with this episode

In this Alumni Voices episode, Candice Lam, Events Consultant for Mothers Choice, shares how three internships during her studies in San Francisco shaped a 20-year career in hotel event sales and nonprofit event consulting across Hong Kong and Berlin. From front desk training to navigating event logistics, Candice reflects on growth, resilience, and why being proactive matters more than ever for student interns.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Completed three internships at major hotels, building confidence through hands-on work in front desk and event services.
• Emphasizes the importance of people skills and client interaction as foundations for a career in events.
• Advises students to be realistic about the hard work behind glamorous event roles — and to always be detail-oriented.
• Recommends having alternatives ready for clients instead of saying “no” — a service mindset she developed through experience.
• Believes interns should be proactive and thoughtful during their internship to truly benefit, especially when staff are too busy to guide them daily.

In this episode Alumni Voices episode, I speak with Eon Yang, Manager for Commercial Support and Revenue Management at Apra Hotel Advisors in Singapore. She shares how intentional choices, immersive learning, and a focus on contributing meaningfully helped her turn internships into powerful career springboards.

📌 Key Takeaways:•    

• A first-year revenue management module (course) ignited her passion for the field and motivated her to actively pursue internships aligned with her career goals.
• Early roles in a GDS-focused distribution team and an eight-month placement at the flagship Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore provided hands-on exposure to strategy, pricing, promotions, and rate management.
• Discovering a preference for revenue management over finance came from appreciating its dynamic, top-line focus compared to the more limited scope of cost control.
• Listening to meetings and informal conversations offered some of the most valuable learning by revealing decision-making processes and sparking new ideas.
• Entering internships with a clear objective enables interns to contribute beyond assigned tasks and build expertise that will serve them long after graduation.

In this Alumni Voices episode, Nathalie Toribio, Director of Human Resources at Evolution Hospitality, shares her journey from student intern to hospitality executive. With warmth and insight, she reflects on family roots in the industry, the value of hands-on learning, and how leading with empathy shapes great teams.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Internships helped Nathalie grow from shy student to confident professional.
• Her career path included front desk, sales, and now HR leadership.
• Family connections in hospitality shaped her early interest in the industry.
• She stresses the power of observation and service tailoring, especially in union hotels.
• HR internships reveal company culture and help build strong internal teams.
• Modern apps (like Beekeeper) enhance team engagement and communication.
• Relationships and reputation matter — hospitality is a small, interconnected industry.
• Interns should lead with intention, curiosity, and heart.

In this Alumni Voices episode, Katie Marek, former Director of Operations Development and Business Analysis at Loews Hotels at Universal Orlando, reflects on the pivotal role internships played in shaping her hospitality career. From front desk training at MGM Grand to insights on business intelligence, Katie shares lessons that continue to guide her work and mentorship.

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Katie completed internships at MGM Grand and Ritz-Carlton San Francisco, gaining both immersive and traditional experiences.
• Her MGM internship gave her a strong foundation in front office operations — and an unexpected appearance on Dateline as a shining example of proper guest service!
• She emphasizes the value of hands-on roles over shadowing and the benefit of working alongside fellow interns for networking and peer support.
• Early exposure to different hotel types (mega-resort vs. luxury boutique) helped her understand varied operational styles.
• She encourages students to choose internships that align with company culture and offer active learning, not just observation.
• Katie highlights how data literacy and business analysis have become critical in modern hospitality decision-making.
• She recommends interns be proactive, curious, and open to learning even from repetitive or “boring” tasks — they often build lasting career value.
• Building relationships with mentors and peers during internships can lead to long-term support and professional growth.

I recommend you start by listening to this episode as it will better prepare you for how to maximize the podcast benefit to you.

In this episode of the Real Time chapter, Professor Jones demystifies hotel pricing and explains the logic behind what guests often see as confusing rate differences. Drawing from a career in hotel sales and real-time front desk work, he covers key revenue management concepts—from distribution channels to dynamic pricing—and how interns can engage with them. Whether you're interning in hotels or event planning, understanding revenue strategy will shape your effectiveness as a future manager.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand the "why" behind pricing – Rates vary daily due to occupancy forecasts, booking pace, and market conditions. Revenue management is data-driven—not random.
• Know your channels – Learn the differences between OTAs (e.g., Expedia), direct bookings, and corporate/travel agent systems like GDS. Each affects pricing and availability differently.
• Track dynamic pricing in real time – Rates shift with demand. One room might cost $246 on Tuesday and $664 on Thursday if it’s the last one available before a sold-out night.
• Master key metrics – Concepts like RevPAR, booking window, compression, rate parity, and pace are foundational. Get familiar with the terminology used in revenue meetings and reports (e.g., STR, Lighthouse).
• Ask insightful questions – Use your internship to understand strategy. Ask how pricing decisions are made, how competitor rates are tracked, how overbooking is handled, and how group/events affect rate strategy.

Drawing on his front-line experience and past career in hotel and destination sales Professor Jones explores how group business — including meetings, incentives, conventions, and events (MICE) — drives hotel performance. From understanding departmental coordination to identifying guest segments, this episode offers insights valuable for both hotel and event management students.

Key Takeaways:

• Group business is often the key to filling hotels during slow periods, such as weekdays or off-season months.
• The sales department, though often physically removed from operations, plays a critical behind-the-scenes role in generating occupancy and revenue.
• Understanding who the group customer is — and their diverse event types (MICE: Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) — helps staff better serve their needs.
• Interns and front-line employees benefit by learning how different departments collaborate to support group business.
• Experiencing both hotel operations and event planning helps build mutual understanding across industry roles, which is vital for future managers.