Michelle Devitt '03

Account Executive,

Audio Visual Solutions,
Freeman

q: What do you do?

a: Manage audio visual solutions for the largest trade show services company in the U.S. This includes talking to show managers to find out about their A/V and lighting needs, building a proposal, selling it and then making it happen. I travel with accounts to ensure event consistency.

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

a: When things come together, like the creative scenery for a general session that the client really loves. I feel great when I know I have fulfilled my client’s wish list.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Audio visual needs are usually decided late in the game, when show managers don't have much money left in their budgets. It's a challenge to create something wonderful and unique without compromising service or quality.

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

a: Working in this industry, I encounter a whole lot of Rosen grads. Some include Nila Kusher '99 M.S. '05, Tiffany Mora '06, Dean Treuren '98, and Michelle Trias '05.

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

a: I love to be outside worshipping the sun and playing with my daughter Taylor, who's one year old.

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

a: My family; I got married, bought a house, had my daughter and have a Doberman Pinscher who's almost four years old.

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

a: Since the program was small then, we had several classes with each professor and built great relationships with them. Dr. Deborah Breiter introduced me to people in the industry and helped me get my job. My internships at the Orange County Convention Center and installing A/V for events at the UCF Student Union were valuable experience.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: The professors really talk you up and make you think you'll get a glamorous job right out of school. In real life, the industry isn't used to four year degrees, and you still need to pay your dues through years of experience.

q: A UCF memory?

a: The friends I made in the Honors Dorm. Even though most have moved out of state, they will be my family forever.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Volcano Roll and Super Crunch Roll at Amura.

q: On your iPod?

a: Upbeat workout music.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My dog is literally bigger than me! He loves to lie on my lap and watch T.V.

Annette Udziela '98

Sales and Marketing Account Executive,
Convention Planning Services

q: What do you do?

a: I work for a family-owned destination management company (DMC). CPS has been in the business for over 33 years and has about 40 full-time employees and 250+ part-time event coordinators. We have been the in-house DMC at the Gaylord Palms since 2001 and will be in-house at the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek (opening October 1, 2009). We operate in all hotels and even the Orange County Convention Center. My job is to market and sell our services to association, corporate and incentive clients who have selected a Florida destination for their program. Following is just a sampling of the services we can provide: transportation (hotel shuttles, VIP moves, airport meet & greet), theme parties, entertainment, off-site events, tour programs and discounted attraction ticket programs.

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

a: Building relationships with my clients and vendors.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Keeping the perfect balance of managing new leads, following up with leads-in-progress to close the deal, and managing current projects. Also, groups are making their decisions very last-minute; whereas in the past they might finalize the details of their trip a year in advance, some will wait until even the last two weeks.

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

a: Summer Hansen Davey '97, Nila Kushner '99 MS '05, Ellen Ouellette '98, Dean Treuren '98 and Megan Williams '07.

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

a: It depends on the day. Currently I live in Winter Park, but spent many years downtown in Thornton Park. The local Farmer’s Markets have been quite fun. I like to make appearances at local special events. I also volunteer at Coalition for the Homeless.

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

a: Buying a condo in Winter Park.

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

a: I quote Dr. Bill Quain: “it's 20% what you know, but 80% who you know”. I landed my first job at the Orlando CVB back in May 1998 shortly after volunteering for a SITE (Society of Incentive Travel Executives) Convention and made a lasting connection with the CVB representative that was working the group. I was in shock that only two students took that opportunity to volunteer out of a class size of 150 or more. I attribute my success in my career to networking. Some colleagues have referred to me as "the Mayor of Orlando" since I seem to know someone, where ever we go. (Interviewer note: Annette's the first UCF hospitality alum I've interviewed that I had personally met before, so maybe she does know everyone.)

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: Can't think of anything; it was a great experience.

q: A UCF memory?

a: I loved the group projects, perhaps because I'm a people person. When it came time to choose group members for our classes (then in the College of Business), everyone felt they needed a Finance major and a Marketing manager for their teams, but Hospitality Management? I let everyone know I'd provide the food and beverages! One group project that stands out was for Ben and Jerry's, for my Cornerstone class. Another time we conducted a feasibility study for a new hotel concept. Our group ended up making a video recapping the study and based it on Beatles music because the professor was a huge Beatles fan.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Hmm...so many choices. Depends on the mood, but I always like having brunch with friends.

q: On your iPod?

a: Don’t frequently change, but it's my goal to clear out the memory and put some new music on it.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I try to always remain positive and portray a positive attitude. Service with a smile!

Dean Treuren '98

Guest Services Administrator,
Orange County Convention Center

q: What do you do?

a: I work with the in-house staff, service providers and Orlando/Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau to ensure we're providing the best possible guest service experience. The Orange County Convention Center is the second largest in the country and we strive to make customer service our competitive advantage.

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

a: Working with people: employees, exhibitors and attendees. My goal is to give each and every show manager such a positive experience that he or she will, without a doubt, return to the Orange County Convention Center.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Because my position's new, I'm devising creative ways to "wow" the client. Then once that happens, I need to be creative all over again - outdoing myself with another unexpected special something, making the show manager's return experience even better than before.

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

a: I've seen and worked with a large number of them including Karen Babcock '85 , Stephanie Fleisher '05, Nila Kushner '99, and Annette Udziela '98.

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

a: Playing with trains with my three year-old son or sitting in a rocking chair, holding my eight week-old daughter.

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

a: Marrying my beautiful wife, Aidbimari Treuren '96, M.S. '00. Although she's not in hospitality, I never would have met her if I didn't go to UCF.

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

a: The extra-curricular activities made me well-rounded and put what we learned in class into action. For my 800 hours of internship, I worked as the senior building manager for the Student Union which we opened in 1998. I led a team of 64 students to set up the rooms, including A/V equipment and hold special events. My public speaking for the Consultants for Effective Leadership group and Campus Activities Board make me more effective in my job today.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: I wish the Rosen College campus had been open. Being a small degree program within the College of Business wasn't the same. I actually started as an engineering major but heard Dr. Robert Ford, the chair of the hospitality management degree speak, which inspired me to change over to hospitality. With fewer than 100 students graduating each year, it didn't have the exposure or prestige it does today.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Standing center stage in the Arena, introducing James Earl Jones. This was part of my job as Speakers Director for the Campus Activities Board.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: The Melting Pot - our favorite destination for special occasions.

q: On your iPod?

a: If it sounds good and has a good beat, it's on my iPod. This includes a diverse mix of rap, country, jazz, R & B and more.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: I'm originally from Holland and speak both Dutch and Spanish fluently.