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!

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!