Business Management Students Get Real-World Event Management Experience While Earning Hospitality Management Microcredentials

 

For Farmingdale State College Business Management students Giustina Gentile and Heather Mendes, event management this semester went far beyond the classroom. 
As part of the requirements for earning Farmingdale’s Hospitality Management microcredential, students must complete BUS 223: Event Management for Hospitality and Tourism.

During the Fall 2025 semester, Gentile and Mendes had the opportunity to put their coursework into action by traveling to Orlando, Florida, where they helped manage the 2025 Themed Experience and Attractions Academic Symposium (TEAAS) at the Orange County Convention Center. 

The one-day symposium is widely recognized as a leading academic gathering focused on the themed entertainment and attractions industry. Now in its eighth year, TEAAS brings together scholars and industry professionals from around the world to share research and ideas spanning disciplines including architecture, tourism, psychology, storytelling, and sociology, all connected through the business of themed experiences. 

This year’s program featured a full day of presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions, along with a lineup of high-profile guest speakers. Among them were Molly Murphy, President of Universal Creative for Universal Destinations & Experiences; Bob Weis, former President of Walt Disney Imagineering; and Jason Surrell, former Walt Disney Imagineer and Disney author. 

Dr. Martin Lewison, Associate Professor of Business Management at Farmingdale, teaches the Event Management course and serves as Program Chair for the annual symposium. Through an independent study with Dr. Lewison, Gentile and Mendes met weekly throughout the semester to explore the inner workings of the meetings, events, expositions, and conventions industry, a field that generates an estimated $400 billion annually in the United States and supports nearly two million jobs. 

The symposium takes place during IAAPA Expo, the global attractions industry’s largest annual conference and trade show. The event draws professionals from theme parks, water parks, zoos, and entertainment venues worldwide to explore emerging technologies, products, and trends shaping the future of the industry. 

On site in Orlando, Gentile and Mendes played an active role in ensuring the symposium ran smoothly from start to finish. They managed registration and guest check-in, assisted presenters, handled tech and timekeeping, and supported the overall flow of the event. Their work offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to execute a professional conference at a high level. 

After a successful day, the experience ended on a celebratory note with a visit to Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party alongside Dr. Lewison and his wife. 
Gentile completed her coursework in the fall, and Mendes is now in her final semester. Both students have earned the Farmingdale State College Hospitality Management microcredential and are preparing to graduate this spring, bringing with them real-world experience in one of the industry’s most dynamic fields.