Megan Casey '07

Event Planner,
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau

q: What do you do?

a: I help plan events for the 1300 or so members of our private, not-for-profit trade association. Also, I assist the PR and convention sales departments with media blitzes and press trips. In June, I'll be in Chicago promoting Orlando.

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

a: I'm doing something different every day, and get to interact with our members.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Juggling a large number of projects. We have them scheduled for the entire year, but with the tumultuous economy, some are canceled or changed at the last minute. New projects are often added at the last minute.

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

a: Even better...the professors! I see Dr. Deborah Breiter and Suzan Bunn on a regular basis at Meeting Professionals International (MPI) events.

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

a: In Downtown Orlando.

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

a: Buying my first home in Avalon Park.

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

a: Completely - since I wouldn't have my job if it weren't for Rosen College. Misty Johantgen, V.P. of Member Services for the Orlando CVB was a guest speaker in one of my classes and offered an internship opportunity. Since positions at the association pretty much never become available, I was thankful to be able to stay on after graduation. Rosen College professors provided valuable information because they weren't just teachers, but experts who actually worked in the industry.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I feel the requirement of a paid internship was to my detriment. I had to turn down two amazing internship opportunities because they wouldn't pay me, and work as a hostess. That did not provide a valuable learning experience. After I completed my required three semesters in that paid job, the unpaid Orlando CVB internship is where I became inspired and immersed in the industry.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Football games and tailgating, without a doubt. Because Rosen College is secluded, and such a distance from Main Campus, football games were what made me feel like a UCF student.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The tuna roll and seaweed salad at Shari Sushi.

q: On your iPod?

a: Everything from Britney Spears to Billy Joel.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm afraid of all lizards.

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.