PODs (Programming on Demand) are one credit, intensive courses generally offered for 15 hours either over a weekend or online. Three one-credit PODS equal one three-credit elective. PODs offer students hands-on experience in the hospitality and tourism industry and have provided a vehicle to teach soft skills and cutting-edge ideas. Earn credits faster by enrolling in a POD now!

If you need assistance registering for the course please contact your advisor. You may also visit the Advising office located HM 106 or call 305-919-4521.

Contact your advisor for more information

Fall 2024 PODs

  • CBD in the Food & Beverage Industry

    Dates: August 30 - September 29
    Time: 9am–1pm

    Cannabidiol (CBD) - a non-psychoactive, health ingredient extracted from hemp - has been touted as one of the top trends in the food and beverage industry for 2024-2025.

    During this POD, students will:

    • Get an insight into the CBD market
    • Learn about latest research on CBD-infused food products
    • Stay on the top of the ever-evolving regulatory framework
    • Practice developing a CBD business plan

    Course: HFT3930, HMG 5936

    Instructor: Dr. I. Ahmad and industry speakers

  • Hospitality Leadership in New York

    Dates: November 7th–10th, 2024

    During this POD, students will:

    • Spend 3 nights in New York City.
    • Meet with Leadership team from Union Square Hospitality Group.
    • Behind-the-scenes tour and meeting with leadership team of Triumph Hotels.
    • Other behind-the-scenes opportunities with FIU Hospitality Alumni.

    Course: HFT 3930

    Cost: $150 additional fee

    Contact:Dhawans@fiu.edu

  • Positive Organizations

    Dates: November 9th and 16th, 2024
    Time: 9am–5pm

    Positive Organizations are defined as workplaces with high performance and high employee engagement. This POD will allow you to master the following:

    • Develop skills that are necessary to run a purpose-based organization.
    • Manage practical, evidence-based interventions to generate well-being.
    • Implement processes aligning organizational and individual values.
    • Foster healthy, trusting, and respectful organizational relationships.

    Offered online / synchronous

    Course: HFT3930, HMG 5936

    Instructor: Dr. Sandro Formica

    Contact:sformica@fiu.edu

  • The Business of Spa

    Dates: October 12th and 13th, 2024
    Time: 10am–5:30pm

    The Business of Spa examines a variety of spa types in South Florida’s hospitality sector. The POD participant will be able to identify current trends in the local wellness space.

    During this 2-day wellness course, participants will:

    • Get real-world access to these wellness spaces.
    • Identify best practices necessary to create exceptional service ‘experiences’ for the guest and profitability for the spa.
    • Learn various spa types and categories.
    • A behind-the-scenes look at operations, management, marketing, leadership.
    • Explore the sustainability of wellness.

    Course: HFT 3930

  • Wedding Planning Certification

    Dates: Fall 2024

    This POD covers every aspect of wedding planning and is designed for students who are interested in a career as an independent wedding/event planner, or for students who will be seeking employment at a hotel, resort, country club, or other venue that hosts weddings.

    Participants will learn key skills in:

    • Running a successful wedding planning business.
    • Making connections in the hospitality industry.
    • Keeping their couples organized.
    • Run smooth wedding rehearsals.
    • Sustained business success and more.

    All participants will receive:

    • Lifetime certification.
    • Lifetime certified membership and support from the CWP Society.

    Course: Undergrad - HFT 3930, Graduate - HMG 5936

    Cost: FIU student rate $498

Spring 2024 PODs

  • Hospitality Leadership in Atlanta, GA

    February 29 - March 3, 2024

    Course: HFT 3930

    Cost: $130 + cost of arline ticket

    Includes the following:

    • 3 nights accommodation
    • Tour of Coca-Cola and other hospitality companies
    • Transportation around Atlanta

    To enroll email dhawans@fiu.edu

    Hospitality Leadership in Atlanta, GA PDF

  • Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics

    The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is the leading certification for undergraduate and graduate students in Hospitality and Tourism programs. This recognition provides evidence of a thorough knowledge of the foundational metrics, definitions, formulas and methodologies that are used by the hotel industry. The certification is based upon four core

    The certification is based upon four core content areas:

    • Hotel Industry Analytical Foundations
    • Hotel Math Fundamentals – the metrics used by the Hotel Industry
    • Property Level Benchmarking (STAR Reports and dSTAR)
    • Hotel Industry Performance Data & Reports (Trends, Development, P&L and Destination Reports)

    Dates: March 16th and March 17th

    Time: 10am - 5pm (both days)

    Course: HFT 3930, HMG 5936

    Instructor: Mohammad Qureshi

    Put the CHIA designation on your resume and business cards to demonstrate to future employers that you can not only do the math, but also interpret the results, allowing you to make better business decisions.

    An Additional $75 fee is required for the CHIA exam on Sunday, March 17th reimbursed by school.

    This POD is also available online via Zoom.

    Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics flyer

  • Brightline

    As leaders in hospitality service excellence, students will take a trip on the Brightline from Miami to Orlando and back. This POD includes one-night accommodation in Orlando. 

    During this POD, students will:

    • Assess Brightline's current strategic initiatives 
    • Understand potential partnerships between Brightline and the hospitality & tourism businesses across Florida
    • Evaluate strategic opportunities for Brightline
    • Develop a guest experience strategic plan for Brightline to enchance the company's connection with the hospitality industry in South & Central Florida

    Dates: March 29 - 30th

    Course: HFT 3930

    Questions? Contact Sanjay Shawan at dhawans@fiu.edu or 305-919-4145

    Regiser: Search for course in your my.fiu.edu account

    Brightline flyer

     

  • Hospitality Leadership in Las Vegas, NV

    Hospitality Leadership in Las Vegas with Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group

    Dates: March 7 -10th

    Course: HFT 3930

    Fee: $100

    Includes:

    • 3 nights in Las Vegas, Nevada
    • Meet with Leadership from 
    • Behind-the-scenes experiences of various Vida & Estilo properties
    • Tour of Fontainebleau Hotel and Casino and other hospitality properties

    Register: email dhawans@fiu.edu

    Vida & Estilo Hospitality Group flyer

  • Hospitality Leadership in Orlando, FL

    As leaders in hospitality service excellence, students will take a trip to some of the most notable theme parks in the world. These are exclusive experiencesfor FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management Students. 

    • Enjoy 3 nights accommodation
    • Transportation to Orlando
    • Theme Park access
    • Behind-the-scenes tours and meetings with several Hospitality Alumni

    Dates: April 4 -7

    Fee: $100

    Course: HFT 3930

    Register: dhawans@fiu.edu

    Orlando Hospitality Leadership flyer

  • Conrad Fort Lauderdale

    As a leader in hospitality service excellence, Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach is bold and empowering - enabling guests to discover the destination and make a positive impact through their purposeful service, passionately delivered. This two-day POD, led by Dr. Oren Hertz and Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach's leadership team, will showcase a comprehensive overview of how Conrad is dedicated to enhancing each guest's stay at their picturesque resort.

    Dates: April 5th & April 12th

    Time: 9am - 5pm (both days)

    Course: HFT 3930

    Conrad Fort Lauderdale flyer

  • Hospitality Leadership in Tampa

    Hospitality Leadership in Tampa with Bloomin Brands

    Includes

    • Exclusive behind the scenes opportunity with Bloomin' Brands Senior Leadership
    • Accommodations for 3 nights
    • Transportation to and from Tampa
    • Behind the scences tour of Tropicana Field

    Dates: April 11-14th

    Fee: $100

    Course: HFT 3930

    Register: dhawans@fiu.edu

    Hospitality Leadership in Tampa flyer

Spring 2022 PODs

  • Outstanding Spaces Cultural Institutions, Hospitality and Events

    Professor: Hollie Altman

    Dates: February 12-13th

    Section: R6A

    Description: This POD will examine how non-traditional venues like cultural institutions (museums, theaters, historical sites, parks, etc.) find their place in the competitive national event marketplace, incorporate hospitality into their daily operations, and fulfill their mission to serve their communities. Students will learn though case studies and experiential exercises how an organization’s charitable mission can successfully co-exist with a competitive events business model. Students will also be able to plan their own fundraising or community awareness event using the same principles that guide local and national non-profit organizations.

  • Barrel to Back Bar

    barrel.jpg

    Professor: Steven Von Oehsen

    Dates: March 18th & 25th, April 1st & 7th

    Section: R6B

    Description: This dynamic, interactive POD will bring students together with executives at Miami’s own, world’s largest wine and spirits wholesaler, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. This POD is an intimate journey through the entire wholesaler value chain from strategy to sales and marketing to order-to-cash to pick-pack-and-ship.

  • CBD POD

    Professor: Imran Ahmad

    Dates: TBA

    Section: R6C

    Description: Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive, health-oriented compound extracted from hemp and cannabis, has been touted as one of the top healthy ingredient trends in the food and beverage industry for 2022-23. This course will provide an introduction to the fast-growing market for CBD as a signature ingredient in mainstream U.S. food and beverage product development.

    This POD examines the growing public interest in CBD and CBD-derived products and how this shift affects the food and beverage industry. This POD aims to educate consumers and prospective producers of the cannabis industry on current research, regulatory status, and market trends of various forms of CBD-infused products.

  • Wedding Planning

    wedding.jpg

    Professor: Sanjay Dhawan

    Dates: TBA

    Section: RVC

    This POD covers every aspect of wedding planning and is designed for students who are interested in a career as an independent wedding/event planner or for students who will be seeking employment at a hotel, resort, country club or another venue that hosts weddings.

    Participants will learn key skills in running a successful wedding planning business, making connections in the hospitality industry, keeping their couples organized, running smooth wedding rehearsals, sustained business success, and much more. All participants receive lifetime certification, lifetime membership, and lifetime support from The Bridal Society.

    Join the nation's largest group of Certified Wedding Planners and Wedding Venue Professionals.

    The Bridal Society's fees are as follows (these are in addition to the FIU Course Fee):
    Regular Rate: $690 — FIU Student Rate: $395.
    This is a savings Of $295.

  • AFWC Wine

    Professor: Nathan Dodge

    Dates: TBA

    Section: R6D

  • AFWC Catering

    Professor: John Masi

    Dates: TBA

    Section: R6E

  • Hospitality Leadership in Washington, DC

    Professor: Sanjay Dhawan

    Spend 3 nights in Washington, DC and explore hospitality with several behind the scenes opportunities. Meet with management from Hilton Worldwide Corporate Offices, staff at FIU in DC offices, and other hospitality related companies. Students will also have an opportunity to meet with staff at our FIU office in Washington, D.C. Course has an additional $150 fee. The fee includes the following: 3 nights’ accommodation, and limited transportation to Hilton Corporate Offices.

    For more information, contact Sanjay Dhawan at dhawans@fiu.edu.

     

  • Hospitality Leadership in Hershey, PA

    Professor: Samjay Dhawan

    Spend 3 nights in Hershey, PA and explore hospitality with several behind the scenes opportunities. Meet with management from Hershey Park, and other hospitality related companies. Course has an additional $150 fee. The fee includes the following: 3 nights’ accommodation, and limited transportation to Hershey Park.

    For more information, contact Sanjay Dhawan at dhawans@fiu.edu.

  • Hospitality Leadership in Orlando, FL

    universal.jpg

    Professor: Sanjay Dhawan

    Spend 3 nights in Orlando and explore theme parks and leadership development at some of the most well-known amusement parks in the world. Attend a leadership development seminar at Universal Studios along with various behind-the-scenes opportunities. The course has an additional $100 fee and students must attend a zoom informational session to qualify to attend.

    For more information, contact Sanjay Dhawan at dhawans@fiu.edu.

  • MeToo – I know what to do (and not to do!)

    Dates : May 21, 22

    Time: 9-5pm

    In this interactive class, students, in collaboration with the professor, will develop a step-by-step action guide addressing sexual harassment helpful to both the managers and the employees.  The students will visit one of our incredibly popular, high-end restaurants, Bulla Gastrobar or Pisco y Nazca, for a day of educational games and Q&A with our talented team.

    For more information, contact Sanjay Dhawan at dhawans@fiu.edu.

  • Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA)

    certification-in-hotel-industry-analytics-mq.jpg

    The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is the leading certification for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professors, in Hospitality and Tourism programs. This recognition provides evidence of a thorough knowledge of the foundational metrics, definitions, formulas and methodologies that are used by the hotel industry.

    Note: students in the fully online program can get reimbursed by FIU Online, up to $250, for successfully completing the cert and CEG 5000.

Summer 2022 PODs

  • Me Too - I Know What To Do (And Not To Do!)
    me-too-pod-course.jpg

    Professor: Asiya Centurion

    Dates : May 21, 22

    In this interactive class, students, in collaboration with the professor, will develop a step-by-step action guide addressing sexual harassment helpful to both the managers and the employees. The students will visit one of our incredibly popular, high-end restaurants, Bulla Gastrobar, for a day of educational games and Q&A with our talented team.

    For more information, contact Sanjay Dhawan at dhawans@fiu.edu.

  • Wedding Planner Certification

    tbs-pod-fiu-2022-3.jpg

    This POD covers every aspect of a career in wedding planning, whether you want to work as an independent wedding/event planner or are seeking employment at a hotel, resort, country club, or private venue that hosts weddings. Participants will learn key skills in running a successful wedding planning business and how to make connections in the hospitality industry.

    All participants receive lifetime certification, membership, and support!

    The Bridal Society's fee is as follows (these are in addition to the FIU Course Fee):

    Regular Rate: $540 — FIU Student Rate: $395 + Receive One Credit

    THIS IS A SAVINGS OF $145 | USE DISCOUNT CODE: FIUCREDIT

    www.thebridalsociety.com

  • Building A Hospitality Concept

    building-a-hospitality-concept-x-nicole-ponseca.jpg

    Building a successful restaurant goes beyond menu and ambiance. For NYC-based restaurateur, NicolePonseca, the development of a strong concept is a crucial first step. This POD is an introduction toconcept development for aspiring restaurateurs or entrepreneurs. You will learn 6 Core Advantages to consider when building your concept to utilize in future development of business plans, creative briefs,business models and in conversations with investors or business partners.

Fall 2022 PODs

  • Authentic Ecotourism

    authentic-ecotourism-pod-mehta.jpg

    Be part of THE first Authentic Ecotourism class ever offered in the world! One of the planet’s leading Ecotourism authorities- Prof. Hitesh Mehta FASLA FRIBA FAAK, will conduct a one-of-a-kind, longweekend theory class and fieldtrip. Theory and information-gathering classes will be combined with a field trip to the Seminole Big Cypress Reservation (1.5 hr drive) to attend the Native American Arts Celebration where students will observe and research Ecotourism activities. This POD will involve out-ofclass assignments and in-class team-building exercises.

    Professor: Hitesh Mehta

    Dates:
    November 4 FIU BBC | 5PM - 7PM
    November 5 Seminole Reservation | 9AM - overnight
    November 6 Seminole Reservation / FIU BBC | 9AM - 6PM
    VAN TRANSPORTATION TO RESERVATION PROVIDED

    Additional Costs:
    TOTAL: $45 - $60
    ( Accommodation: $35 -$50
    Museum and Arts Celebration : $10 )

  • Luxury and Lifestyle Brand

    luxury-and-lifestyle-brands-hft-3930-and-hmg-5936.jpg

    This course will examine the various facets of luxury and the fundamental values and mindsets that create a demand for it; the ways in which luxury has changed; what global luxury travelers/ consumers are ultimately seeking; and how hotels and other hospitality related organizations are responding in order to lead and succeed in this highly competitive vertical. 

    The POD is an intimate journey through with hands-on executive experience using economics, operations to executive committee decision making and re-defining luxury in hospitality. 

    Professor: Gabriela Yidi

    Dates:
    September 10* FIU BBC | 9AM - 5PM 
    October 8* FIU BBC | 10AM - 7PM 
    *Mandatory in-person attendance* 
    Transportation will be provided from BBC to Miami Beach and Brickell hotels 
    LUNCH provided by hotels 

  • Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA)

    certification-chia---qureshi-intensive-pod.jpg

    The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is the leading certification for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professors, in Hospitality and Tourism programs. This recognition provides evidence of a thorough knowledge of the foundational metrics, definitions, formulas and methodologies that are used by the hotel industry.

    Note: students in the fully online program can get reimbursed by FIU Online, up to $250, for successfully completing the cert and CEG 5000.

    Professor: Mohammad Qureshi

    Dates: October 15th & 16th

  • Wedding Planner Certification

    tbs-pod-fiu-2022.jpg

    This POD covers every aspect of a career in wedding planning, whether you want to work as an independent wedding/event planner or are seeking employment at a hotel, resort, country club, or private venue that hosts weddings. Participants will learn key skills in running a successful wedding planning business and how to make connections in the hospitality industry.

    All participants receive lifetime certification, membership, and support!

    The Bridal Society's fee is as follows (these are in addition to the FIU Course Fee):

    Regular Rate: $540 — FIU Student Rate: $395 + Receive One Credit

    THIS IS A SAVINGS OF $145 | USE DISCOUNT CODE: FIU2022

    www.thebridalsociety.com

  • IMEX Experience
    imex-experience.png

    Each year FIU students participate in the IMEX America conference, including learning at Meeting Professionals' International workshops and visiting a sprawling trade show floor.On our last day in Las Vegas we also have exclusive tours of the MGM Special Events Facility, the GES Warehouse (where two Titanics could be docked), and the experiential activities area of Area 15.

    Trip costs to anticipate are the flight to Las Vegas, discounted hotel rooms (usually under $50 per night for a room shared with one other), and food costs.Note that you may also opt to participate in this trip without needing to register for the one-credit POD.

2019–2021 PODS

  • Fall 2021

    Wedding Planning Certification Conference

    Course: HFT 3930 – RVC

    This POD covers every aspect of wedding planning and is designed for students who are interested in a career as an independent wedding/event planner or for students who will be seeking employment at a hotel, resort, country club or another venue that hosts weddings.

    Participants will learn key skills in running a successful wedding planning business, making connections in the hospitality industry, keeping their couples organized, running smooth wedding rehearsals, sustained business success, and much more. All participants receive lifetime certification, lifetime membership, and lifetime support from The Bridal Society.

    Join the nation's largest group of Certified Wedding Planners and Wedding Venue Professionals.

    The Bridal Society's fees are as follows (these are in addition to the FIU Course Fee):
    Regular Rate: $690 — FIU Student Rate: $395.
    This is a savings Of $295.

    IMEX America Convention

    Course: HFT 3930 - R6C

    Join event and meeting planners in their largest gathering in this hemisphere, regularly attracting over 13,000 professionals to the program. Students attending may participate in the “Future Leaders Forum”, a two-day workshop for the top students studying event planning and conducted by leaders in Meeting Professionals International.

    You also have the opportunity to attend a Monday of activities coordinated by MPI, and an additional day on Friday where we will be given exclusive tours of MGM Special Events warehouse and the huge GES warehouse which coordinates many of the trade shows in Las Vegas (both tentative, based on student numbers).

    The Monday workshops, the IMEX conference and Friday’s tours are all without registration cost, leaving four primary costs for participating students – 1) airfare to Las Vegas, 2) hotel accommodations (which we have generally been able to keep low through students sharing rooms with another student), and 3) a share of the van rental, which allows for airport pick-up and drop-off, as well as transportation of the group to off-site locations.

    The fourth cost is the charge for POD credit by FIU. Students may also attend without POD credit, if they so choose.

    Positive Organization

    Course: HFT3930 R6A

    Onsite, 3 full-days, 24-hour content POD covering, among other subjects and tools:

    • Environmental, personal and interpersonal factors creating and sustaining happiness at work
    • Work stress and wellbeing
    • Employee engagement and flow
    • Personality, attitudes, and happiness
    • Happiness and emotional intelligence
    • Planning and incorporating happiness tools and strategies in the workplace

    Plenary and breakout sessions will alternate, allowing participants to apply, in small groups, the concepts and competencies learned during this intensive weekend. We will have guest speakers, including Karen Guggenheim, Co-Founder of WOHASU® Foundation and the World Happiness Summit®️.

    Participants will have a “competencies notebook” where they will design the right happiness practices for their organization supported by one or more of the four core competencies of a Positive Organization's manager.

    Goodtime Hotel

    Course: HMG 5936 R6B & HFT 3930 R6B

    The Goodtime Hotel experience is designed to give students a hands-on understanding of the Hospitality Industry.

    This program covers a wide range of content, including both front of house and back of house. Students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience within multiple facets of a trending, successful, and fully operational hotel.

    Dates: November 5th and 12th, 2021; 9 am to 5 pm.

    Contact person: Dana Foligno

    HMG 5936 R6B & HFT 3930 R6B

    New Orleans

    Course: HFT 3930 R6D

    Spend 2 nights in New Orleans and explore southern hospitality with several behind-the-scenes opportunities at various hospitality-related companies. The course has an additional $200 fee.

    Orlando

    Course: HFT 3930 R6E

    Spend 3 nights in Orlando and explore theme parks and leadership development at some of the most well-known amusement parks in the world. Attend a leadership development seminar at Universal Studios along with various behind-the-scenes opportunities. The course has an additional $100 fee and students must attend a zoom informational session to qualify to attend.

    For more information and to register for the info session, contact Melissa Rosado at (305) 919-4521 or email mrosado@fiu.edu.

    Barrel to Bar

    Course: HFT 3930 R6F
    Description: This dynamic, interactive POD will bring students together with executives at Miami’s own, world’s largest wine and spirits wholesaler, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. This POD is an intimate journey through the entire wholesaler value chain from strategy to sales and marketing to order-to-cash to pick-pack-and-ship.

  • Summer 2021

    You, Me, I and Us (online)

    Course: HFT 3930 – RVCC

    Description: This POD focuses on the intersection of self, diversity, inclusion, and hospitality. Key diversity and inclusion topics are examined. Current social issues are explored. Optional digital badges are offered as part of this POD. No materials are required for purchase. Access your course. There is an additional $30 per credit fee (up to $90) for this online course. This online course may require up to two proctored exams. For more information about proctored exams, please visit FIU Online.

    Catering @ American Fine Wine Competition

    Course: HFT 3930 - R6N

    This practical, experiential POD will give students hands-on experience and first-hand knowledge of the catering industry, and how to cater for a multi-day event.

    This POD will be conducted by Chef John Masi during the American Fine Wine Competition, the premier All-American wine invitational in the country, taking place at the Wine Spectator Restaurant at the Chaplin School of Hospitality.

    Over the course of 3 days, students will participate in food preparation and cooking for catering the wine competition, as well as get exposure to foodservice operations, such as menu development, and production flow. Students will also gain experience in front of the house while assisting with service.

    Wine Event Management @ American Fine Wine Competition

    Course: HFT3930 R60

    This dynamic, interactive POD will give students hands-on experience and first-hand knowledge of the wine industry, and how to run a world-class wine competition.

    This POD will be conducted by the American Fine Wine Competition, the premier All-American wine invitational in the country. Over the course of 5 days, students will be able to network with leaders of the industry, learn and taste different wine varietals, help execute a wine competition, discover different career possibilities in the hospitality industry, while assisting in conducting the 15th annual American Fine Wine Competition, taking place at the Wine Spectator Restaurant at the Chaplin School of Hospitality.

    Students interested in wine and a career in the wine industry, and/or event planning would benefit from this POD.

  • Spring 2021

    Wedding Planning Certification Conference

    Students with an interest in wedding planning will not want to miss this opportunity. Wedding Planners and Catering Managers from around the state will also be in attendance. An additional fee of $495 includes lifetime certification, lifetime membership, lifetime continuing education and support from The Bridal Society.

    Diversity and Inclusion in the Hospitality Industry

    Spend two nights in Islamorada on the world’s 3rd largest barrier reef and learn first-hand about how to balance marine tourism with conservation and preservation of the reef and ocean. Learn about dive and fishing tourism, go on a dive boat, learn about coral reefs, environmental attitudes and behavior and management of marine tourism providers. The course has an additional $195 fee. The fee includes the following: dinner Friday, 3 meals on Saturday, 2 meals on Sunday, 2 nights accommodation and the boat trips. C/L with HMG 5936.

    Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) POD

    Only meets March 13th & March 14th. An additional $75 fee is required for the CHIA exam.

     X-Culture StartUp POD

    Enrolled students will be placed on a global, virtual team to work on a real social problem. Each team will hear from leading experts in the field, learn about concept validation, and participate in a real pitch competition. Throughout the course, you will gain real international experience, develop your entrepreneurial skills, and tackle some of today’s greatest challenges.

     From Barrel to Back Bar POD

    This dynamic, interactive POD will bring students together with executives at Miami's own, world's largest wine and spirits wholesaler, Southern Glazers Wine and Spirits. This POD is an intimate journey through the entire wholesaler value chain from strategy to sales and marketing to order-to-cash to pick-pack-and-ship.

  • Fall 2020

    Leveraging Social Media

    This POD examines current trends and best practices regarding social media marketing, use, and management in the hospitality industry. In this POD, you will be analyzing the social media presence and messaging of an industry organization and creating a social media use proposal to maximize brand awareness, reputation, and positioning for the organization.

    Enhancing Financial Capability and Overcoming Financial Fragility

    This POD provides a measure of financial literacy and defines the root causes and common outcomes of financial fragility. This POD will illustrate the financial value of educational attainment in career fields of hospitality, business, and other professions with regard to employment and income-earning capacity in building financial capability.

    Social Justice and the Tourism Industry

    This POD will examine what effects social injustice plays within the Hospitality and Tourism industry. We will define and identify the roles that different types of power, privilege and oppression play within the Hospitality and Tourism space. Also, we will redefine what it means to be socially just within the service industry, not only to the treatment of our guests but also of the workforce. Does the Hospitality and Tourism industry owe it to the world to re-examine itself when it comes to representation and authenticity within its tours and experiences?

    Building Brand Standards

    A hotel room is about a lot more than clean sheets and a bed. In this exercise, you will have a chance to run a hotel company, create the culture, and then design a guestroom that embodies those ideas. We will be exploring what Brand Standards are, how they are designed, and create our own. By the time you have finished this exercise, you will be prepared to walk into any public space and dissect the brand reasoning for including everything in that space. Get ready to move your hospitality dreams from ideas to reality as you build your own brand standards book.

    Helping Jobs in the Events Profession

    This POD will examine the point where the events profession meets the helping profession. This POD is geared towards students interested in contributing to their communities while doing what they love – events! We will explore how non-traditional non-profit venues like cultural institutions (museums, theaters, historical sites, etc.) use events as a source of vital revenue supporting their overall missions. We will explore other professions like fundraising, sponsorship, marketing and PR from the helping perspective and meet real-life professionals from these fields. We will analyze a sample fundraising event from idea conceptualization to final debrief and students will be able to create their own fundraising/awareness events.

    WOHASU® organizer & producer of the World Happiness Summit®

    WOHASU® organizer & producer of the World Happiness Summit® and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University offers a non-credit Certification Program for managers, consultants and services industry professionals who intend to lead applying scientifically tested happiness and wellbeing practices and tools.

    Wholesaler - From Barrel to Bar

    This dynamic, interactive POD will bring students together—in-person onsite and virtually—with executives at Miami’s own, world’s largest wine and spirits wholesaler, Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits. The POD is an intimate journey through the entire wholesaler value chain from Strategy to Sales and Marketing to Order-to-Cash to Pick-Pack-and-Ship.

    Hospitality Sales Fundamentals

    Students will learn the fundamental sales techniques and work with international students while also obtaining an understanding of various sales roles within the hospitality industry. Applicable exercises will be incorporated.

  • Summer 2020

    #trending: Leveraging and Managing Social

    This POD examines current trends and best practices regarding social media marketing, use and management in the hospitality industry. In this POD, you will be analyzing the social media presence and messaging of an industry organization and creating a social media use proposal to maximize brand awareness, reputation and positioning for the organization.

    Employee Engagement

    This POD examines the manager’s role in shaping the right working conditions in order for employees to give their best every day. It explores management’s strategies to increase employee morale, motivation, and retention to improve productivity, efficiency, and business profitability in a multi-generational workforce and global business environment.

    Tourism is complex? Unpacking how marginalized groups travel and are marketed globally

    Explores the historic and current socio-cultural impacts of tourism on marginalized travelers (i.e. Black, Indigenous, people of color, solo-female travelers, people with disabilities, and LGTBQ+). Understand the complexities of tourism relationships from the host community and tourist perspective. Identifying the power dynamics within tourism planning and development of a tourism destination based on the marketing/advertising strategies analyzing how destinations market to these groups through travel websites and social media. Emphasis on the study of both historic and current socio-cultural impacts of tourism including the positive (empowerment) and negative (over-tourism) influences of social media.

  • Spring 2020

    Hotel Operations Management (Fontainebleau)

    The Fontainebleau Xperience is designed to give students a hands-on understanding of the Hospitality Industry, specifically in Hotel Operations Management. This program covers a wide range of content, from Rooms Operations to Food and Beverage and Culinary services, to Finances and Marketing. Students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience within multiple facets of a successful and fully operational Hotel.

    Wholesaler – From Barrel to Bar

    This experiential POD will take students on technology-enabled restaurant sales and marketing calls, educate them on the back-office order-to-cash process, and expose them to a highly automated the pick, pack and ship process in a 1 million square foot distribution center.

    SOBEWFF® Culinary Boot Camp

    This course is to prepare students for a culinary role at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Students will learn basic knife skills, time management and prep lists as well as get familiarized with the different culinary positions and events at the festival.

    Hospitality Leadership in Las Vegas

    Spend 3 nights in Las Vegas, Nevada and explore hospitality with several behind-the-scenes opportunities. Meet with management from Caesars Entertainment and go on a behind-the-scenes tour of Caesars Forum, the management staff at Bouchon by Thomas Keller. Tour UNLV’s International Gaming Institute and other hospitality-related companies. Course has an additional $150 fee. The fee includes the following: 3 nights’ accommodation, and limited transportation to UNLV’s Gaming Institute. Additional Cost: $150 + Cost of Airline ticket.

    KIDS JAMM AT PAMM! Inventing new events and bringing them to life!

    This POD will examine the process of conceptualizing a new event by analyzing a real-life event, Kids’ JAMM at PAMM, a new annual event developed and executed by the Pérez Art Museum Miami’s development and event teams. Lunch and parking included.

    Wedding Planning Certification Conference

    Students with an interest in wedding planning will not want to miss this opportunity. Wedding Planners and Catering Managers from around the state will also be in attendance. Additional fee: $395 includes lifetime certification, lifetime membership, lifetime continuing education and support from The Bridal Society.

    Magic Bands and Marketing Technology

    This course examines current trends in marketing technology focusing on wearables and personal devices, beacons, geo-fencing, and proximity marketing in the modern hospitality industry.

    Tourism for Marginalized Travelers

    Explores the historic and current socio-cultural impacts of tourism on marginalized travelers (i.e. people of color, solo-female travelers, people with disabilities, and LGTBQ+). We will unpack the power dynamics within tourism planning and development based on the marketing/advertising strategies of how destinations market to these groups through travel brochures and social media. We will also source trending hashtags like #TraevlingWhileBlack and/or #SoloFemaleTravel to better understand how these groups experience traveling.

    The #BOSS – Being an effective Manager, Leader, and Mentor

    This POD provides an introduction to core aspects of management in the hospitality industry. Foundational management theory and associated best practices are explored through case studies, virtual role-play, and current global management trends/challenges. No materials are required for purchase.

    Florida 2030: The Future of Management and Economic Success

    Florida is preparing for a time of unprecedented change. By 2030, the state will be home to 26 million residents and one of the most diverse populations in the world. Technology and innovation are disrupting every industry and community. This POD examines Florida 2030: The Florida Chamber Foundation’s guide to securing the economic future for Florida. The six pillars of Florida’s future economy are explored. Implications for the hospitality industry are examined and discussed. No required materials for purchase.

  • Fall 2019

    Hotel Operations Management (Loews Miami Beach)

    The Loews experience is designed to give students a hands-on understanding of the Hospitality Industry, specifically in Hotel Operations Management. This program covers a wide range of content, from Rooms Operations to Food and Beverage and Culinary services, to Finances and Marketing. Students will have the opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience within multiple facets of a successful and fully operational Hotel.

    Mixology 101

    The POD examines Bar Management and Bar Essentials to include Mixology in a hospitality setting. The program is an education journey through operational basics, financials, sales and other essential components that support a successful bar operation.

    Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA)

    The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is the leading certification for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as professors, in Hospitality and Tourism programs. This recognition provides evidence of a thorough knowledge of the foundational metrics, definitions, formulas and methodologies that are used by the hotel industry. The exam was held on Sunday Oct. 27th, 2019.

    IMEX America Convention

    The largest gathering of meetings, events, and incentive travel planners in this hemisphere for conducting business, the students attending this will have an opportunity to attend the Future Leaders Forum, a gathering of the 100 top events students in North America. The event was in Las Vegas September 10-12, with an additional day of visits to the top event vendors in Las Vegas on September 13.

    Eco-Tourism

    Be part of THE first Authentic Ecotourism class ever offered in the world! One of the planet’s leading Ecotourism authorities- Hitesh MehtaFASLA FRIBA FAAK, will conduct a one-of -a-kind, long-weekend theory class and field-trip combined with a field trip to a local Native American Reservation where students will get to observe tourism activities. This POD will involve pre and post out-of-class assignments and in-class team-building exercises.

    Wines of Spain

    Spanish Wine Experience Certification Course. This is the most intensive and in-depth course available on the Spanish wine industry. It was created in 2006 by The Wine Academy of Spain for the Society of Wine Educators Annual Conference held in Monterrey, California. It has had the support of Wines from Spain, several Spanish wineries and numerous designations of origin.
    Since then it has been conducted in more than 85 cities in 25 countries. Wine professionals, sommeliers, Master's of Wine, winemakers, wine writers, importers, distributors, retailers, hotel staff, WSET students, universities and members of the Society of Wine Educators have attended the course.

    You, Me, I & Us

    This POD focuses on the intersection of self, diversity, inclusion, and hospitality. Key diversity and inclusion topics are examined. Current social issues are explored. Optional digital badges are offered as part of this POD. No materials are required for purchase. Access your course, an additional $30 per credit fee (up to $90) for this online course. This online course may require up to two proctored exams. For more information about proctored exams, please visit FIU Online's proctored exam page

    Hospitality Leadership in Washington, DC

    Spend 3 nights in Washington, DC and explore hospitality with several behind-the-scenes opportunities. Meet with management from Hilton Worldwide Corporate Offices, culinary staff from St. Anselm restaurant, and other hospitality-related companies. Students will also have an opportunity to meet with staff at our FIU office in Washington, D.C. Course has an additional $150 fee. The fee includes the following: 3 nights¿ accommodation, complimentary breakfast, and limited transportation to Hilton Corporate Offices. This course if for current Hospitality students only.

    Exploring Hospitality Leadership - Disney

    Spend 3 nights in Washington, DC and explore hospitality with several behind-the-scenes opportunities. Meet with management from Hilton Worldwide Corporate Offices, culinary staff from St. Anselm restaurant, and other hospitality-related companies. Students will also have an opportunity to meet with staff at our FIU office in Washington, D.C. Course has an additional $150 fee. The fee includes the following: 3 nights¿ accommodation, complimentary breakfast, and limited transportation to Hilton Corporate Offices. This course is for current Hospitality students only.