The School of Hospitality, Sport and Tourism Management conducted its HSTM Colloquium Thursday and Friday in the Stadium Club at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

The event, which brought TROY students together with students from other colleges in the region, is designed to give the students a better perspective of the professional side of the field, and hear from industry representatives from across a wide spectrum.

“This is a great opportunity for students not only to learn, but to improve their network and, hopefully, to prepare to be professionals in this field,” said Dr. Fred Green, co-director of the Colloquium.

“This is a gathering of various professionals in the field of hospitality, sport, athletics, and tourism, and these professionals are taking time out of their busy schedules to talk to the students about what it is like to work in their own areas,” he said.

A connected internship fair also expanded students’ networks.

Speakers included Senior Vice Chancellor for Athletics Brent Jones, Orlando Cure Bowl CEO Alan Gooch, Montgomery Biscuits General Manager Mike Murphy, Melanie Johnson, general manager of Embassy Suites Montgomery, Camellia Bowl liaison Carol Gunter and Lynn Firmin, a corporate relations coordinator with Troy University’s Marketing and Communication office.

“We try to mix it up with our speakers, including those from hospitality, hotel-motel, and athletics professionals,” Green said.

In addition, the  event hosted young professionals panel discussions in sport and hospitality, as well as a panel discussion from Troy Hampton and Marriott management.