Kelly Dunn '08

Marketing & Membership Coordinator
Boca Greens Country Club

q: What do you do?

a: Three different jobs all at once! I manage marketing, membership and catering for a semi-private, member-owned country club in Boca Raton, Florida.

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

a: I love to coordinate weddings! So much detail goes into planning a wedding and you get to be creative. I am in the beginning stages of hosting a bridal showcase and it's very hard work but exciting at the same time. I also love working at a Country Club because the food is delicious!.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Selling any type of event. In this hard economic period, no one is spending money like they used to. Booking a wedding at $100 per person is extremely hard.

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

a: I do! Laura Guelzow '08, Brittany Andrews '08, Sarah Wilkins '09, Jillian Kahn '08 and Erica Seypura '08.

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

a: At home! I just recently moved to South Florida and I only know a few people. I visit Orlando frequently to see friends.

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

a: Living on my own! When I was in college, I did not truly appreciate my parents' financial support. But I am proud that I have made a pretty comfortable home for myself.

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

a: It wasn't about the technique of chopping an onion or learning to prepare a financial statement. Even though I flinched at the phrase "Group Project," it really prepared me for the real world. Building relationships with people is an everyday occurrence. I work closely with our General Manager, Food and Beverage Director and our Accountant. There is no "I" in "Team" right?

q: Your favorite class?

a: Seminar in Quality Brewing and Fine Beer. It was not your typical college lecture. Not only was it interesting, it was fun and interactive. My #2 favorite was Yacht, Country and City Club Management.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I wish they could have offered more "Club Management" style classes. Overall, I was very pleased with the program.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Football games will always be good memories! However, I will never forget the day that I moved to Orlando from Loveland, OH to start at UCF. Boy was that a change! It was the best decision I have ever made.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: At UCF: Pita Pit (Suvlaki). In Orlando: Texas de Brazil!

q: On your iPod?

a: My iPod is currently empty. My computer crashed and I lost all my songs!

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'll admit it. I watch Teen Nick!

Rachael Vogel '05

Director of Corporate Catering & Special Events,

Levan's Catering

q: What do you do?

a: Manage all planning of corporate and social events. This includes the menu, logistics and set-up. About 70% of our events are weddings, but the sky's the limit on what I could be working on! Right now, it ranges from a Super Bowl party at a private residence...to a formal plated lunch for 575 people at the UCF Student Union.

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

a: Every event is different. It's not the same banquet and awards ceremony year after year. I love how trends change too. For instance, Tiffany Blue was big in weddings for a while. Lately we see brides thinking outside the box, with colors as non-traditional as black with neon.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: The economy. I've worked here five years and many corporate clients would hold the same extravagant holiday parties every December. Now they tell us they're having a potluck so don't need our services. People are of course still getting married, but on much smaller budgets than I saw earlier in my career.

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

a: Julie Noda '05, Brittany Andrews '08, Holly Steinebronn '07 and Tanya Weir Irizarry '08, who also works at Levan's.

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

a: Out-and-about...Downtown with friends, or traveling.

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

a: Five years out of college, I know who I am and where I want to go.

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

a: The course content was geared toward our industry. For instance, I could have taken Financial Accounting anywhere, but the examples used at Rosen are specifically for concepts and procedures used in hotels, restaurants and clubs.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Exploring Wines of the World, Quantity Food Production and Hospitality Law. Rosemary Krebs who taught the law class really made you think; for example, if eight guests cram into a hotel room booked for two people, are they really all "guests" and where does the business' liability begin and end?

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Incorporate more alumni guest speakers who are successful in their careers but been out of school 10 years or less. Vice presidents of big companies have information to share about the industry, but students can relate more with younger professionals. It would be helpful to learning the day-to-day operations in the jobs and departments where they'll find themselves after graduation.

q: A UCF memory?

a: My friends. I was born and raised in Gainesville so 100% of my friends I have here in Orlando are those I made at UCF.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The filet at Del Frisco's, but I'm always up for sushi.

q: On your iPod?

a: I have an iHome alarm clock hooked to my iPod with a random shuffle, so I never know if I'll wake up to a country song or Old School Rap. I listen to everything depending on my mood; when I have lots of work to do and a need for adrenalin, I'll play Rock or Alternative at my desk.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My new hobby is making jewelry, and I've already sold a few pieces. Like my job, I love that I'm hands-on - it keeps me busy and uses my creativity.

Julie Noda '05

Owner and CEO,

Something Borrowed Weddings & Events

q: What do you do?

a: I'm a full-service wedding consultant - handling all of the details from "I will" to "I do." After having managed events at the Orange County Regional History Center and the Ritz-Carlton Orlando, it's a pleasure to be on the opposite end, representing the client. I problem-solve to get everything done according to the bride's plan. My job is to put out fires before they happen, making sure everyone can relax and enjoy the big day!

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

a: I get to be there for someone's special day. It feels like I'm part of their family for a day and it's a truly rewarding experience.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Adapting to different personalities.

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

a: Brittany Andrews '08, Holly Steinebronn '07, Kim Hawkes '07, Jason Ring '07, Adam Bailey '05, Rachael Vogel '05 and Rachel Perez '07.

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

a: I love to cook, so in the kitchen or at the Farmer's Market. I'm even going to the Food and Wine Festival in Miami. I also could be Downtown having brunch with friends.

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

a: Being my own boss and setting my own rules.

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

a: My internship at The History Center set me on the path to meeting the right people. I got keyed into the industry and involved in organizations like NACE, ISES and ABC.

q: Your favorite class?

a: Hospitality Law with Rosemary Krebs was interesting and engaging. Catering Management with Kim Severt was hands-on, so most helpful to what I do every day. We learned the details of running an event, like table settings.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: More hands-on experience; instead of mock events in a controlled environment, the students should be working on more real-life events. The first time you tell a client they're in attrition, that's experience. Also, the guest speakers were older and very established in their careers. A mentor program with alumni who are just a few years out of school would be helpful, to help set realistic career expectations.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Roadtrips and, of course, football. Even now we're season ticket holders. It's fun to see how everything's grown with the new stadium and the hospitality program too. When I did my orientation as a Hospitality major, it was just me and one other student.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Super Crunch Roll at Amura.

q: On your iPod?

a: Anything but Rock. Happy, upbeat music - songs where you can understand the words, that have a good beat.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I fell down the stairs of the stage after receiving my high school diploma. Thankfully my UCF graduation went well and so has everything since.

Kimberly Hawkes '07

Sales and Marketing Manager,

B.B. King's Blues Club

q: What do you do?

a: I've handled sales and marketing for B.B. King's at Pointe Orlando since its December 2007 opening. We have live music seven nights a week and are one of the larger destinations for parties and dinners, being able to accommodate up to 1800 people. Everyone who works here gets along great and we're a well-oiled machine when it comes to events, right down to color-coded floor plans I make for the staff. I don't want events to just be special; I make them fantastic where everyone gets loud and dances their blues away.

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

a: Each event is so different and I can be creative. For a casino night I didn't just get the gaming tables but went the extra mile with large light-up dice and paid showgirls. We've had Cirque de Soleil cast members hang from the ceilings and 12-foot ice sculptures down to an intimate barbecue with a s'mores pit on our tropical patio.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Bringing locals to I-Drive. Also, juggling several events simultaneously. For instance, I may have 3-4 buy-out nights in a row (where clients have booked our whole facility) which is lots of current details to manage. My mind still needs to be on events that are two weeks out, requiring special themes or entertainment.

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

a: Brittany Andrews '08, Raj Mehta '06, Scott Mifsud '03, Holly Steinebronn '07 and Elaine Wechsler '07.

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

a: On Park Avenue in Winter Park, at Park Plaza Gardens or 310 Park South.

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

a: Making goals and completing them sooner than I anticipated: going to Rosen College, working at the Ritz-Carlton and then getting a management position that I really love. B.B. King's is a wonderful place to work and I'm excited about my transfer to the new location in West Palm Beach. It opens in October and I'll have the opportunity to help open a new restaurant, and the new experience of marketing in an area that's not as driven by convention business.

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

a: Rosen College was the perfect college experience for me because I'm a kinesthetic learner, absorbing knowledge best by actually seeing and doing something myself. Just reading about events in a textbook and attending class lectures could never compare to our required hours working in the industry, real-world class projects, volunteer work and participation in networking associations.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: It's too far from Main Campus, where I lived the first two years. It's not a bad thing, necessarily, but just a different college experience; while most UCF students were going to parties and tailgating, I was working at my internships.

q: A UCF memory?

a: For "The Event Industry" course, I volunteered at an event at the Orange County Regional History Center. Several of us ended up touring the museum and posed for a bunch of fun photos, like in front of museum's faux orange groves. I liked the event so much that I applied for an internship. How embarrassed I was when interviewer Julie Noda '05 said she had looked up all of the intern candidates on Facebook and was impressed with the photos of me in the History Center! So a word of advice: we all know employers check the Internet so don't post photos that could affect your image negatively, but also focus on positive ways to portray yourself - while not intentional, the pictures helped get me the job!

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Sunday brunch at Park Plaza Gardens, where I order the eggs benedict which comes on a croissant with cheddar smashed redskin potatoes. My favorite at B.B. King's is "Boil from the Bayou" which is shrimp, corn on the cob, and baby baker potatoes served with really good garlic bread.

q: On your iPod?

a: At work we listen to Pandora radio, with lots of 80's music including Journey and Phil Collins. I also like Kings of Leon (who I just saw at UCF), The Fray, Fall Out Boy and Carrie Underwood.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm obsessed with the Orlando Magic and Hedo Turkoglu. I've gone to every home game in the playoffs.

Brittany Andrews '08

Sales and Special Event Coordinator,
Orange County Regional History Center

q: What do you do?

a: I sell and service small to large corporate and social events including holiday parties, meetings, outside festivals, class reunions, filmings and fundraisers. Our building was the Orange County courthouse until the year 1997 and the former courtroom is a favorite spot for attorneys to get married. They love to talk about their memories of what happened in that room.

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

a: Getting the opportunity to work on every type of event possible. I'm not just limited to social or corporate clients and never know what I'm going to be working on next. Seeing a bride happy at the end of her wedding night is a great feeling too.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Working in an organization that's both a non-profit and a museum. Educating our community about local and different types of history is its focus, so events and rentals are never the primary concern. My department needs to be very creative when trying to "sell" the building.

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

a: Yes, Laura Ball '07, Kelly Dunn '08, Julie Noda '05, Jackie Scherer '08, Holly Steinebronn '07, Jamie Wagner '08 and Erica Yerton '08.

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

a: Downtown. I try not to move my car out of the Solaire garage.

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

a: Living Downtown and being able to walk to work in five minutes. It's amazing!

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

a: I started working with the History Center three years ago, volunteering at an event for a class project in "The Event Industry" class. The mandatory volunteer assignments and three internships play a critical role in helping you become successful in the industry. I'm thankful the teachers encouraged the students be involved with networking organizations, which becomes even more important after graduation.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: There should be more of a connection with Main Campus and Rosen. I missed the real college experience. Rosen students should be given the opportunity to help plan and produce some of the events that take place on Main Campus.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Tailgating at the Citrus Bowl. Those were the best times

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Bubba and Crunch rolls at Amura.

q: On your iPod?

a: Anything and everything. There are very few types of music that I don't like.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I love playing and watching football!

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.