Wendy Bingham '04

Senior Sales Manager,
Embassy Suites Orlando - International Drive

Master of Science, Hospitality and Tourism Management '04

q: What do you do?

a: Manage the convention and association market sales for a 244-suite hotel. Because of our location on International Drive, 60% of the people who stay at this Embassy Suites are part of a group. My day can include reviewing contracts, responding to request for proposals, cold calling, following up with potential and past clients, site visits, and working on special marketing projects.

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

a: Negotiating - yes, in a sick, twisted way, I enjoy teaching people about our brand and why our rates are worth it. I also love the relationship-driven nature of sales. In addition to previously working as a wedding planner for a local company, my progression with Hilton Hotels Corporation over seven years has been from Front Desk to Sales Coordinator to Catering Manager to Sales Manager to Senior Sales Manager.

q: What's the greatest challenge?

a: Competitors are slashing their rates to unrealistic levels. Additionally they will throw in a free reception and free breakfast, which were some of the advantages of our property. We are staying tough though and it's working. When I can get potential clients to come see the difference in person, they will choose Embassy Suites practically 100% of the time.

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

a: Tiffany Littlefield Perez '04 is our Director of Front Office Operations. I also stay in touch with Wendy Rosales Malik '07 and Lee Malik '06, Nila Kusher '99, M.S. '05 and Hope Wehrle '02, M.S. '04, as well as professors Deborah Breiter, Judy Holcomb and Scott Smith. Scott takes credit for my marriage since he encouraged me to pursue a position at Embassy Suites North, where I met my husband Warren, UCF '05.

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

a: At home, with my husband and seven month old son.

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

a: My family. I have a great marriage.

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

a: The hands-on experiences, like working on a fund raiser for Dr. Mary Jo Ross, helped us "cut our teeth" and get some direction for our careers. It's one thing to say you want to go into hospitality or events, but there are so many different niches and you don't know what's going to be for you until you explore them in real life.

q: How could the hospitality program have been better?

a: It could have been even more hands-on. Also, students need to be given a reality check of what the industry's all about. We interview graduating students who have the perception that they can go right into management, but they need to work up the ranks like I did.

q: A UCF memory?

a: Going behind the scenes at the IAAPA (International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions) convention with Dr. Breiter. Our class got to go up on the rigging and catwalk. The show featured everything that was cutting edge for theme parks; seeing it was an experience I'll never forget.

q: Favorite meal in Orlando?

a: Fondue at The Melting Pot. I look forward to going there for my birthday in November. I like that it's a process, not just a meal.

q: On your iPod?

a: I don't have an iPod. I'm pretty low-tech except for my Tivo! I mostly play children's songs in my car, but also listen to 80's and country.

q: Little known fact about you?

a: My undergraduate degree from the University of Florida was in Forest Science. I worked on the genetic optimization of trees, to make them more disease resistant, and worked at International Paper after graduation. I still have an interest in Forestry.

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.