ASSOCIATIONS:

GW is fortunate to have many tourism, event, and hospitality associations and/or association chapters based in the Washington DC area. Accordingly, there are many opportunities for students to be engaged in professional development within your areas of interest, and students are strongly encouraged to join and volunteer with associations, attend association events, and network with industry professionals. 

For the purposes of this special recognition opportunity, the MSTHEM program strongly recommends the following industry associations. You can focus on one association for your three events, or choose multiple associations if you prefer. The association event attendance requirements are as follows:

Students are responsible for choosing, registering, and attending association events, from the list of association options below. 

  • Attendance must be in person 
  • Events attended must have an educational component (not simply networking)
  • For each event, students must upload (a) event registration documentation and (b) a photo of themselves at the event, and (c) a 300 to 500 word reflection, specifically your three major insights/takeaways of the event 

Several of the associations below have local and national chapters which may be hosting in-person events. Accordingly, both national and DC-area chapter links are provided, when available. In addition, we have provided student membership links to selected organizations, when available. Student memberships are often a great way to fully participate as an association member at greatly reduced rates. For specific association events, you are encouraged to contact the event organizers to ask if they are in need of volunteers in exchange for reduced/free admission for event attendance

 

EVENT AND MEETING MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS

  • PCMA (Professional Convention Management Association)

    - National: Events; Membership (FREE for students) 

    - Capital (DC) Chapter: Events; Mentorship Program

  • MPI (Meeting Professionals International):

      - National: Events; Membership

      - MPI Potomac (DC) Chapter: Events; Mentorship Program

  • ILEA

      - National: Events; Membership

      - Greater Washington DC Chapter: Events

  • SGMP (Society of Government Meeting Professionals)

      - National: Membership

       - National Capital (DC) Chapter: Events

  • NACE (National Association for Catering and Events)

      - National: Events;  Membership

      - Greater Washington DC Chapter: Events

 

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATIONS

  • HSMAI (Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International)

      - National: About

      - Washington DC Chapter: Events; Membership

  • HFTP (Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals)

      - National: Events; Membership

      - Washington Metropolitan Chapter: About

  • AH&LA (American Hotel & Lodging Association)

     - National: Events;  Membership

  • NRA (National Restaurant Association)

    - National: Events;  Membership

 

TOURISM ASSOCIATIONS

 

*Other events organized by Destination Management and Marketing Organizations by having confirmation of Dr. Tosun (ctosun@gwu.edu)