Holly Steinebronn '07

Account Executive,

Odyssey Creative

q: What do you do?

a: Business development for a digital video company. My job is to increase brand awareness - did you know that our video for UCF's annual Black & Gold Gala won awards?

q: What's your favorite part of the job?

a: The atmosphere of the company, its structure and its people - including company president Marc Collins, UCF '96.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Helping to educate businesses on the importance and benefit of marketing during a down economy.

q: Do you stay in touch with any other UCF hospitality alums?

a: Most frequently Brittany Andrews '08 and Laura Ball '07, who also work in Downtown Orlando.

q: Outside work...you're most likely to be seen?

a: I'm active in the Orlando chapters of the International Special Events Society (ISES), National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) and Society for Marketing Professional Services (SMPS) so am constantly at association events. On nights without an event or meeting, I might be at Eola Wine Company or Ceviche.

q: Your biggest accomplishment since graduating, outside your career?

a: Moving into a high-rise condo in Downtown Orlando. I walk to work!

q: How did UCF prepare you for what you do?

a: The program forced me to get a job in the industry before graduating. I had been coaching gymnastics and loved it, so would have kept doing that if it weren't for the required internship. Thanks to the invaluable work experience in the hospitality industry, I received five job offers after graduation.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: The quality of the students needs to be improved. Admission should only be given to students who will take the program very seriously, and genuinely want a management job after graduation.

q: A UCF memory?

a: In our Catering Management course, we hosted and planned a dinner for Skål International Orlando, an elite group of travel and tourism leaders. Two groups within the class got to "pitch" our themes to the prospective client. Our theme was chosen; it was so much fun coming up with our presentation, impressing the client and then executing our ideas into a real-life event.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: At Fishbone's: the filet with gorgonzola butter and port wine glaze.

q: On your iPod?

a: Frank Sinatra and Jack Johnson.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: In high school, I was voted Class Clown.