“The RHIT faculty is discussing the possibility of a new baccalaureate program,” said Dr. Linda Brothers, chair of the department. “We have taken under consideration the ever changing global tourism needs that encompass a wide array of business enterprises involving services. We must keep the students best interests in mind to better prepare them for positions of this ever changing market that tourism has effected” commented Dr. Brothers.

   “The first step we took towards addressing these global needs was to offer the Tourism Specialist Certificate in 1995.”

    “No longer will the market be looking for just restaurant or hotel managers. We need to broaden our students’ management skills to enable them to follow careers in the “greater” tourism industry, such as with hotels, restaurants, clubs, conference centers, catering halls, convention centers, sports stadiums, museums, and theme parks, just to name a few”, added Dr. Brothers.

   The courses for both the existing and the proposed program would be offered to accommodate students enrolled in the old program as well as those enrolled in the new one. Students enrolled in the old program would be grandfathered into the new degree program if they so chose according to Dr. Brothers.

   Examples of future employment opportunities in tourism are listed on the Tourism Management flow chart on page 2. if the proposed program is approved in 1997 by the Higher Education Commission, it would then be available in the Spring of 1998.

Spring 1997 RHIT Courses Being Offered

FN 303 Essentials of Nutrition
   MW 2:30 pm-3:45 pm, Brothers

FN 309 Vegetarian Lifestyles
   TR 2:3Opm-3:45 pm, Brothers

FN 315 Fundamentals of Nutrition
   T 5:45 pm-8:25 pm

RHIT 100 Intro Food Serv./Lodging Industry
   M 5:45 pm-8:25 pm

RHIT 171 To Convention/Meeting Mgmt.
   M 5:45 pm-8:25 pm

RHIT 181 Lodging Management
   MW 4:00-5:l5pm, Bennett

RHIT 191 Food Service Sanitation
   W 5:45-8:25pm, Bennett

RHIT 212 RILI Organization & Management
   TR 9:30-l0:45 am

RIUT 221 Customer Relations
   TR 11:00 am-l2:15 pm

RHIT 251 Computer in Hospitality Industry
   MW 9:30-l0:45 am, Avgoustis
   MW 1:00-2:15 pm, Avgoustis
   R 5:45-8:25pm

RHIT 271 Mechanics of Meeting Planning
   TR l:00-2:l5 pm

RHIT 272 The Tourism System
   F 9:30 am-12:10 pm, Avgoustis

RHIT 299 Topics in RIUT-Hotel Sales
   M 5:45-8:25pm

RHIT 301 Practicum in RHI Management
   ARRANGED, Bennett

RHIT 302 Industry Practicum
   ARRANGED, Avgoustis & Brothers

RHIT 308 Wine Selection
   W 5:45pm-6:35 pm

RHIT 312 HRM for the Service Industry
   W 5:45pm-8:25 pm

RHIT 341 Cost Controls in Food Service and Lodging
   MW 11:00am-12:l5 pm, Bennett

RHIT 472 Global Tourism
   F 1 :00pm-3:20 pm

RHIT 492 Advanced Food Service Management
   Lecture: T 2:3Opm-3:20 pm
   Laboratory: T 3:30pm- 10:00 pm, Avgoustis

** Students must register for both the lecture and lab**
RHIT 499 Operational Analysis
   R 5:45 pm-8:25 pm, Avgoustis

Lions Clubs International Selects Indianapolis as Convention Site

Largest Convention Ever Comes to Indy in 2001
By Cathy Wineland

   The International Association of Lions Clubs, a worldwide service organization, today announced Indianapolis as the location for its International Convention on July 1-6, 2001. The announcement was made today by Joe Marcheggiani, Lions Club International Director from Cannel, Indiana, at the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Association (IC VA) Annual Board of Directors Meeting.

   This meeting represents the largest convention which has ever been held or is currently scheduled in the future for the city, based on a projected 45,305 hotel room-nights used by visitors. A hotel room-night is one room occupied for one night, regardless of the number of occupants and is a key measurement of impact to the city. Approximately 27,000 visitors at the Lions Clubs Convention will spend an estimated $23.3 million during their stay.

   Indianapolis was selected by the International Board of Directors as the 2001 site after the city received the endorsement of the state organization of Lions Clubs, the ICVA submitted an extensive written bid, and the International Lions Clubs staff and directors visited the city for site inspections. Indianapolis and ten other cities competed for conventions in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Indianapolis edged out ten other cities for the 2001 nod, including Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York City, Orlando and Sydney, Australia. Osaka, Japan and Denver were selected for the 2002 and 2003 conventions, respectively.

   According to Marcheggiani, who is a professor of accounting at Butler University, the International Directors were impressed with all Indianapolis has to offer. “The city of Indianapolis presented an aggressive marketing package to the Convention Committee,” explained Marcheggiani. “The Bid conveyed Indianapolis as a world-class city with its convention facilities, hotels and Circle Center. This convenience and connectivity downtown helped make the difference and will provide the backdrop for a very successful International. Convention.”

   Wm. K. McGowan Jr., President & CEO of the IC VA, added, “Joe Marcheggiani ‘s assistance in introducing Indianapolis to the 31 International Directors was extremely beneficial. He arranged for the International Directors who reside in the U.S. to visit Indiana so that the ICVA could show them first-hand Indianapolis’ incredible facilities and Hoosier hospitality.”

   Meetings for the Lions Clubs Convention will take place primarily at the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome. As many as 60 hotels in Central Indiana are expected to be used by delegates of the convention.

   More than 150 meetings and social events make up the Lions Clubs Convention, including educational seminars, and international entertainment extravaganza, and a downtown parade. The Indianapolis community will be able to enjoy the four-hour “Nations of Lionism” parade with approximately 15,000 participants. The Plenary Sessions, where officials Lions business is conducted, will require simultaneous translation in as many as ten languages.

   The International Association of Lions Clubs gathers annually to combine business and leisure during a week of international fellowship. The association’s 1.4 million members belong to more than 42,500 clubs in 178 countries and geographical locations.

   The ICVA is a membership organization that markets greater Indianapolis as a destination for conventions, meetings, trade shows, group tours and pleasure travel. Direct visitor spending accounts for $1.2 billion of the Marion County economy and supports nearly 37,000 full-time jobs.

Getaway Trips to Indianapolis
By Cathi Wineland

   The Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association has established a Toll-free telephone number for visitors to call for hotel reservations and package information.

   The new number, 1 -800-556-1NDY, will operate form 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Travel counselors will assist with reservations, provide information about hotel room cost and availability, and answer questions about attractions and upcoming events.

   Callers who request information during evenings and on weekends, will have calls returned the next business day.

   Through November 30, participating hotels will offer packages with romance, shopping, and family themes. Additional packages will be available during the holidays and through 1997. The packages are subject to availability and to travel agent commissions.