SECSA-CHRIE Conference
Bay to the Future: Navigating for Hospitality’s New Era
11th Annual
Tampa, FL
Conference Sponsors
Rosen College of Hospitality Management
Silver
SECSA President’s Message
Greetings & Salutations to our 2026 SECSA-CHRIE Conference Attendees,
Welcome to the 11th Annual SECSA-CHRIE Conference, proudly hosted by the Muma College of Business School of Hospitality and Sport Management at the University of South Florida in the vibrant and historic city of Tampa, Florida! Our theme, Bay to the Future: Navigating for Hospitality’s New Era, perfectly captures both the energy of our industry and the spirit of this dynamic waterfront destination.
Over the next few days, we invite you to fully engage in an experience intentionally designed for connection, collaboration, and inspiration. This conference brings together leading scholars, industry professionals, and emerging voices in hospitality and tourism to share ideas, spark meaningful dialogue, and strengthen our collective impact. We hope you leave with fresh insights, renewed enthusiasm, and an expanded professional network.
I extend heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding team at the University of South Florida — especially our host team, Trishna Mistry, Ph.D., Seden Dogan, Ph.D., and Emily Pacula and all of our federation Board of Directors — whose dedication and leadership brought this conference to life. Their commitment to excellence ensures an exceptional experience for us all.
Now, enjoy the SECSA 2026 experience! Immerse yourself in Tampa’s rich history, vibrant culture, and unmistakable Florida hospitality. Savor the flavors, explore the waterfront, and — most importantly — be a tourist for the weekend!
We are so glad you are here.
L. Kate Price-Howard President, SECSA-CHRIE Federation Associate Professor Troy University
President
Kate Price-Howard, Ph.D. Troy University
Secretary
Jessica Wiitala, Ph.D. High Point University
Director of Industry Services
Seden Dogan, Ph.D. University of South Florida
Board of Directors 2025-2026
Immediate Past President James Williams, Ph.D. University of Tennessee
Director of Marketing
Haemi Kim, Ph.D. University of Alabama
Director of Member Services & Development
Suzanne Bagnera, Ph.D. Florida International University
Vice President Trishna Mistry, Ph.D. University of South Florida
Director of Research
Wei Wei, Ph.D. University of Central Florida
Director of Education Eun-Kyong (Cindy) Choi, Ph.D. University of Mississippi
Treasurer Fang Shu, Ph.D. Florida International University
Director of Networking
Soyoung Park, Ph.D. Florida Atlantic University
Dean’s Welcome
Dear ICHRIE-SECSA Hospitality Conference Attendees,
On behalf of the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business and our School of Hospitality and Sport Management, I am pleased to welcome you to our Tampa campus. We are honored to host this distinguished group of educators, professionals and leaders in the hospitality field.
Throughout the conference, we look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions, sharing best practices, and continuing to reshape the future of hospitality through our collaborative efforts. We are committed to providing a dynamic and engaging platform where academic and industry experts can present and exchange some of the most innovative and impactful research.
The knowledge generated and shared through the conference is an important endeavor that will impact tomorrow’s hospitality leaders. I also hope that you will spend time building and strengthening relationships with your peers across institutions, working together to advance the practice and profession of hospitality.
We are delighted to have you with us at the University of South Florida, and hope you find this conference both inspiring and rewarding.
Sincerely,
David W. Blackwell, Ph.D.
Lynn Pippenger Dean Muma College of Business | University of South Florida
Conference Host Welcome
Dear ICHRIE-SECSA Conference Attendees,
Welcome to the 11th Annual SECSA Conference! It is my honor to serve as your Conference Chair and to host you here at the University of South Florida in beautiful Tampa Bay. This year’s theme, “Bay to the Future: Navigating for Hospitality’s New Era,” reflects our collective commitment to charting new directions for hospitality education, research, and practice. We are excited to feature a dynamic lineup of sessions that reflect the spirit of this year’s conference.
SECSA holds a special place in my heart. Having served on the Board as Director of Research in the past, and now as Vice President and President-Elect, I have witnessed firsthand the remarkable community we have built together. This organization thrives because of your scholarship, your dedication to mentoring the next generation of hospitality leaders, and your genuine collegiality. Hosting this conference at my home institution during this chapter of service makes this occasion especially significant, and I could not be more excited to welcome you here.
I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the SECSA Board, our speakers and panelists, and the faculty, staff, and students at USF, whose tireless efforts have brought this conference to life. A special thank you to our sponsors and industry partners for their generous support.
We are delighted to have you with us in Tampa, and I hope you find this conference engaging, inspiring, and rewarding. Let us navigate toward hospitality’s new era together.
Warm regards,
Trishna G. Mistry, Ph.D.
Conference Chair & SECSA Vice President
Graduate Program Director, Hospitality Management
School of Hospitality and Sport Management
Muma College of Business | University of South Florida
Schedule at a Glance
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
Keynote Speaker
Santiago Corrada President and CEO of
Santiago C. Corrada is an accomplished, recognized leader with over twenty-five years of public service experience, with proven success in effectively and efficiently transforming the professional culture of many diverse institutions. His outstanding relationship building skills result in the resolution of highly complex issues through consensus. Corrada has the demonstrated ability to soundly and fiscally manage a convention center resulting in record surplus revenues.
As President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay for the past ten years, Corrada has consistently elevated organizations to higher levels of productivity by empowering team members and stakeholders. With his leadership and guidance, the local hospitality industry has experienced 25 consecutive months of record bed tax collections and hotel taxable revenue.
Recognized as Hillsborough County’s Hispanic Man of the Year in 2013, Tampa Organization of Black Affairs Corporate Leader in 2019, and named to the Power 100 by the Tampa Bay Business Journal for the past decade. He has been recognized in the Florida Trend 500 and Black Meetings and Tourism and is currently being considered for recognition by the International Civil Rights Walk of Fame.
His current board affiliations include: Destinations International Board, Florida Aquarium-Board & Executive Committee, Hillsborough County Hotel Motel Association-Board & Executive Committee, ReliaQuest Bowl, Hillsborough County Human Trafficking, Hillsborough County Cultural Assets, Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Tampa Bay Hospitality Alliance Board, Tampa Bay Sports Commission, Tampa Hillsborough Film and Digital Media Commission, USF CAMLS HEALTH Professions Conferencing Corporation, Tampa Theatre, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo-Board & Executive Committee, US Travel Executive Board, Destinations Florida-Past Chair, Gasparilla Board.
Corrada graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Miami with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Exceptional Student Education as well as a Master’s in Education.
Visit Tampa Bay
Aaron Hoefen
Dual Hotel Manager at the Tampa Marriott and JW Marriott Water Street Tampa
Industry Panelists
Aaron Hoefen is a seasoned hospitality executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in hotel operations, financial management, and organizational culture development. He currently serves as Dual Hotel Manager of the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and the Tampa Marriott Water Street, a 1,246-room complex with over 150,000 square feet of meeting and event space and 8 food & beverage outlets located in Tampa’s premier Water Street District.
Aaron brings deep expertise in strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting, labor optimization, revenue management, and owner relations. His background includes opening and stabilizing lifestyle hotels, overseeing large-scale full-service and extended-stay assets, and managing complex operations. He is recognized for building disciplined operating environments that drive accountability while fostering high-performing, service-oriented teams.
Aaron is highly active in industry and civic leadership. He serves as Executive Board member for the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Chair of the Marriott Business Council of Tampa Bay, and holds board or advisory roles with Visit Tampa Bay, the Hillsborough County Hotel & Lodging Association, and multiple hospitality and tourism education advisory boards. Aaron holds a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Administration from Florida State University and has completed advanced accounting coursework at the University of Central Florida. He is valued by boards for his operational insight, financial discipline, governance mindset, and commitment to community and workforce development.
Natalia Levey Founder of Hi Hospitality and Restauranteur
Natalia Levey is the founder of Hi Hospitality Group (includes Speaks Clam Bar, KOJO, Bar Hana, Palm Avenue Deli, and Central Park St. Pete Food Hall). Nurturing appetites, uplifting spirits, and shaping the hospitality sector, Natalia brings to the table a rich tapestry of international culinary and wellness expertise, enriched by her travels through over 40 countries. Trained at the Art Institute of New York and a graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, she’s also a certified nutritional consultant accredited by the American Association of Nutritional Consultants.
Her steadfast commitment to wellness and optimism is a catalyst for transformative shifts within the hospitality landscape. Honored as a 2021 Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership fellow by the James Beard Foundation and distinguished as that year’s Top Entrepreneur, Natalia believes that a meal isn’t just a meal—it’s a step towards global wellbeing and connection. She is a distinguished TEDx speaker, she pioneers the intersection of hospitality and emerging technology and serves on the USF Advisory Board for Hospitality and Sport Management.
Juan Lopez Sales and Marketing Manager at the Tampa Convention Center
Juan Lopez, CMP CVP is the Tampa Convention Center Sales & Marketing Manager. As a member of the Executive Team, Lopez oversees all of the marketing, selling and booking of events for TCC. With over 27 years of experience in the hospitality industry, Lopez has previously held venue management roles at the Yuengling Center and the Kaseya Center. Lopez is a graduate of both the University of Florida and the University of South Florida where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sports Management & Finance. Lopez is a member of several industry associations including CSPI, where he currently serves on the Board of Directors and IAVM where he is currently the state representative for Region V.
Federation Speaker
Jessica Wiitala, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor of Event Management at High Point University, where she teaches courses in experience design, event marketing, sponsorship, risk management, and event finance. Her teaching and pedagogical scholarship focus on experience design, design thinking, and human-centered approaches to problem-solving in events and hospitality education. Dr. Wiitala is known for integrating interdisciplinary theories and design thinking methodologies into her curriculum to help students develop empathy, creativity, and real-world problem-solving skills.
Her research explores marketing, consumer behavior, tourism risk perception, experience design, and emerging trends such as AI adoption and design thinking in hospitality and event contexts. Dr. Wiitala’s work has been published in leading journals, including the International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management and Event Management, and she regularly presents at national and international academic and industry conferences.
Workshop Speaker
Evan Fruehauf is an academic librarian and researcher at the University of South Florida with a passion for how people learn, create, and share knowledge. His interests span artificial intelligence, open access, and the evolving role of information in everyday life. Outside academia, he’s an avid cook, Dungeons & Dragons game master, and outdoors enthusiast exploring Florida’s trails and coasts.
Elevate your career
The master’s program has helped me to grow more in terms of the hospitality industry, learning more about it and what the future holds for us, and how we as leaders can change the future.
Kristoff Ellis, MS ’24
Corporate Food and Beverage Manager McKibbon Hospitality
With 24 million annual visitors, 600,000 convention a endees and more than 1,000 local business partners, Hillsborough County is a tourism powerhouse. We pioneered the area ’ s MICHELIN-recognized restaurants, world-renowned a ractions and industry-leading campaigns. Tourism generates over $9 billion annually and supports 62,000 local jobs, and Visit Tampa Bay drives destination growth through strategic partnerships and visitation.
VisitTampaBay. com
TOP THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA BAY
THE TAMPA RIVERWALK
Stroll along the scenic waterfront on this 2.6-mile Riverwalk, connecting a ractions, parks, and neighborhoods. It’s perfect for biking, walking, or catching a Pirate Water Taxi
THRILLING ATTRACTIONS
Experience thrilling coasters and animal encounters at Busch Gardens®, explore award-winning exhibits and family-friendly fun at ZooTampa, and dive into hands-on marine adventures at The Florida Aquarium
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Tampa Bay offers endless outdoor activities, from kayaking through lush waterways to biking on scenic trails. Whether you enjoy birdwatching, paddleboarding, or a quiet picnic, Tampa’s natural parks and waterfront locations provide a perfect escape into nature.
Discover Tampa Bay’s Cuban heritage in Ybor City. Wander historic streets, taste authentic Cuban sandwiches, and learn about cigar-making history.
ART AND CULTURE
YBOR CITY
Conference Schedule
12:30 PM – 5:30 PM Registration
1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
Pre-Conference Workshop - Future Proofing Hospitality: Research & Teaching with AI
Evan Fruehauf, University of South Florida
This workshop will cover the essentials, walk through practice use cases, and unpack key policies and considerations every educator and researcher and know. Participants will experiment directly with AI toolsets, engage in thoughtful discussions about their impact and implications, and leave with sharpened skills they can immediately apply. Whether you're just getting started or looking to elevate your AI practice, this session will help you confidently upskill and innovate in your academic work.
Welcome Reception: Taste of Tampa Bay
Michelle Harrolle, Interim Director, School of Hospitality and Sport Management, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida
Dinner on your own
8:30 AM – 4:00 PM Registration
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast
Welcome Remarks
8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
FRIDAY, MARCH 20
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Kate Price-Howard, SECSA-CHRIE President, Troy University
Jean Kabongo, Senior Associate Dean for Academic and Faculty Affairs, Muma College of Business, University of South Florida
GENERAL SESSION I
Industry Panel Discussion - Bay to the Future: Navigating Tampa’s Hospitality Landscape
Aaron Hoefen, Dual Hotel Manager at the Marriott/JW Marriott Water Street Tampa
Natalia Levey, Founder of Hi Hospitality and Restauranteur
Juan Lopez, Sales and Marketing Manager at the Tampa Convention Center
Moderator: Seden Dogan, University of South Florida
10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Coffee Break
CONCURRENT SESSIONS I
Track 1 (Completed) Savoring Experiences: Food and Meaning
Moderator: Angad Dang 111
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM Tasting Time: Muscadine Wine, Culture, and the Heritage Tourism Experience
10:55 AM – 11:15 AM
Robin Back and Asli Tasci
Plating Aesthetics, Attractiveness, and WTP premium Across Restaurant Types
Zhenxian Piao and Wei Wei
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
10:55 AM – 11:15 AM
11:20 AM – 11:40 AM
Track 2 (Completed) Navigating AI at Work
Moderator: Jessica Wiitala 112
Humanlike Co-Workers, Human Reactions: Exploring the Role of Trust in Employee Adaptation to Service Robots
Osman Sesliokuyucu, Seden Dogan and Trishna Mistry
Extending TAM to AI Adoption: The Role of Resilience in Event Professionals’ Technology Acceptance
Jessica Wiitala, Trishna Mistry, Brianna Clark and Charlotte Miller
The Formation of Technology-Driven Job Crafting Behaviors: A JD-R Theory Perspective with Employee IT Mindfulness and Symbolic Technology Experience
Yao-Chin Wang, Yi-Sung Cheng, Yue Lu, Leelapattana Winitra and Po-Ju Chen
Track 3 (Completed) Storytelling for Impact
Moderator: Soyoung Park 118
10:30 AM – 10:50 AM
10:55 AM – 11:15 AM
11:20 AM – 11:40 AM
Detective, Open the Case! Gamified Storytelling for Anti-Human Trafficking in Hospitality: A Mixed-Methods Investigation
Aili Wu, Wei Wei and Lu Zhang
Mindful Gaze in Slow Travel Train: YouTubers’ Storytelling Approaches with Mindfulness-to-Meaning Theory Perspective
Chia-Hsin Lien and Yao-Chin Wang
Trust, Ease, and Intention in the Age of Automated Hotels
Omid Oshriyeh, Ercan Turk and Jianhong Feng
11:45 AM – 12:00 PM Transition Break
CONCURRENT SESSIONS II
Track 1 (Works in Progress) Social and Design Drivers of Consumer Behavior in Hospitality
Moderator: Muhittin Cavusoglu 111
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM Digital Tipping in Minimal-Service Settings: Service Efforts, Social Pressure, and Social Obligation
Fabian Rodriguez Gomez and Heejung Ro
12:20 PM – 12:35 PM Trust, Networks, and Norms: Applying Social Capital Theory to Consumer Restaurant Selection
Reynolds Kusi and Imran Rahman
12:40 PM – 12:55 PM
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
12:20 PM – 12:35 PM
From Design to Decision: Exploring Premium Theme Party Attributes and Consumer Behavioral Intentions in the Hospitality Industry
Iuliia Sintsova and Muhittin Cavusoglu
Track 2 (Works in Progress) Organizational Behavior and Employee Psychology
Moderator: Haemi Kim 112
Unveiling How Fear of Failure, Task Delay, and Change-Oriented Leadership Shape Hotel Employees’ Creative Behavior
Selim Bakir and Baker Ayoun
Coaching Leadership and Employee Outcomes: The Interplay of Job Crafting and Management Commitment to Service Quality in Norway’s Restaurant Industry
Ribat Islam, Kiran Giri and Huseyin Arasli
12:40 PM – 12:55 PM From Praise to Exit: The Psychological Mechanism Linking Workplace Flattery to Turnover Intention
Azmir Houssain and Huseyin Arasli
Track 3 (Pedagogy) 118
HIPs, COILs, and SDT, Oh My, Encourage Student Motivation and Engagement
Vicki Lavendol
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Instructors: brainstorm new High Impact Practice courses or student COIL projects while meeting student needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
2:50 PM – 3:05 PM
3:10 PM – 3:25 PM
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
2:50 PM – 3:05 PM
3:10 PM – 3:25 PM
2:30 PM – 3:05 PM
3:10 PM – 3:45 PM
GENERAL SESSION II
Lunch and Keynote Address - Charting the Course for Tampa Bay Hospitality’s Future
Santiago Corrada, President & CEO of Visit Tampa Bay Atrium CONCURRENT SESSIONS III
Track 1 (Works in Progress) AI Adoption and Consumer Response
Moderator: Andrew Moreo 111
From Trust to Delight: Why Guests Choose to Use AI in Hotels
Zvijezdana Petkovic and Faizan Ali
Voices of Care: How Gender, Accent, and Disclosure Shape Guest Reactions to AI Concierges
Andrew Moreo, Lisa Cain, Wen Chang and Seden Dogan
AI-Powered Mindfulness Mobile Apps: Applications in Tourism and Hospitality Settings
Chia-Hsin Lien, Pei-Chi Wang and Yao-Chin Wang
Reasons For and Against: Understanding Consumer Attitudes Toward eVTOL Food Delivery
Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Maryam Charmchian Langroudi and Omid Oshriyeh
Track 2 (Works in Progress) Governance and Human Resources
Moderator: Suzanne Bagnera 112
From Activist Leaders to Unrelated Brands: Exploring the Mere Association Effects of CEO Activism in the Hospitality Context
Ahmad Almomani, Daniel Oliveira and Imran Rahman
Conflicts of Interest (CoI) in Multi-Brand Hotel Operations
Kamrul Hasan Bhuiyan and Israt Jahan
Assessment of Residents’ Perception of Community-based Homestay Tourism Development in Nigeria: An Application of Resource-Based Theory
Opemipo Ijose, Rojan Baniya, Imran Rahman and Yee Ming Lee
Track 3 (Pedagogy) 118
PED-Talk Roundtable: Engaging the Gen Z Student in the Classroom
Andrea White-McNeil
Formulate-Share-Listen-Create. A brainstorming session for engaging Post-Millennial, GenZ, iGen students in face-to-face and online classrooms
Enhancing Hospitality Education Through Active Learning: The Three I’s Framework
Keri Olivetti
Elevate hospitality education with Intentional, Innovative, and Inspiring active learning strategies that foster engagement, adaptability, and leadership excellence
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Coffee Break Atrium
CONCURRENT SESSIONS IV
Track 1 (Works in Progress) AI in Hospitality Education and Curriculum innovation
Moderator: Tingting Zhang 111
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
4:20 PM – 4:35 PM
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM
Governing Agentic AI: A Meta-Analysis of Autonomy, Fairness, and Trust in Hospitality and Tourism Education
Patience Ngcobo-Onunkwo and Alecia Douglas
Exploring the Role of Personalized Generative AI in Entrepreneurship Education
Yoo Ri Kim, Arthur Huang and Michael Kentz
Students’ Perceptions of Belonging in Hospitality Management with the Rise of AI: A work-in-progress report
Su Gibson
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
4:20 PM – 4:35 PM
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM
5:00 PM – 5:15 PM
Integrating AI-Powered Data Science Tools in First-Year Hospitality Curriculum: Impact on Data Literacy and Career Readiness
Randall S Upchurch, Earney Lasten and Leonard Jackson
Track 2 (Works in Progress) Consumer Engagement Across Leisure Experiences
Moderator: Heather Lewis
Traveling to sport events as a pathway to social connectedness in mid and later life: an ego-centric network analysis approach
Dahye Jung and Heather Gibson
The Influence of Social Media Engagement and Parasocial Interaction on Behavioral Intentions in Women’s Sports
Evelina Avleeva and Jeannie Hahm
The Making of a Memorable Dining Experience in Fine Dining: Roles of Authenticity, Innovativeness, Hospitableness, Value, and Nostalgia
Sarah Camp and Imran Rahman
Curious Minds and Haunted Sites: Exploring College Students’ Motivations for Dark Tourism
Heather Lewis and Nicole Sellars
Track 3 (Works in Progress) Technology and Workforce Adaptation
Moderator: Osman Sesliokuyucu
Humanc-Robot Collaboration and Vulnerability: The role of Employees’ Mindset and Task Structure
4:00 PM – 4:15 PM
4:20 PM – 4:35 PM
4:40 PM – 4:55 PM
5:30 PM – 7:00
Ghazal Shams and Kawon Kathy Kim
Working for the Algorithm: Resilience and Continuance in the Future of Food Delivery Platforms
Osman Sesliokuyucu, Ahmet Gunay, Inci Polat and Muhittin Cavusoglu
From Perception to Performance: Technology Values and Service Innovation in Hospitality
Priyanka Kafley, Trishna Mistry and Osman Sesliokuyucu
SESSION III
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
10:20 AM – 10:35 AM
10:40 AM – 10:55 AM
Track 1 (Works in Progress) Sustainability and Green
Moderator: Cindy Choi
Visible vs. Invisible Sustainability: Examining the Role of Green Practice Visibility in Shaping Consumer Perceptions in Green Hotels
Nusrat Jahan and Imran Rahman
Sustainable dining: Understanding consumer acceptance of 3D-printed upcycled foods
Souji Gopalakrishna Pillai, Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Shenee Douglas, Patience Ngcobo-Onunkwo and Alecia Douglas
Innovating Luxury: The Role of Smart Technologies in Enhancing Sustainability Practices in Five-Star Hotels
Kamila Arkhash, Muhittin Cavusoglu and Assem Kazhmukhametova
10:00 AM – 10:15 AM
10:20 AM – 10:35 AM
Track 2 (Works in Progress) Workforce Development and Career Trajectories
Moderator: Fang Shu
A Longitudinal Analysis Unlocking the Progression of the Wage, Benefits, And Job Satisfaction Levels of Hospitality and Event Management Professionals
Kate Price-Howard and Frank Tsai
Evolving Career Factor Experiences and Perceptions for Hospitality Management Graduates: A 15-Year Follow-Up Study
Eric Brown and Donald Schoffstall
10:40 AM – 10:55 AM
11:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Analyzing teacher perceptions of the structured hospitality education curriculum for high school students in an underserved Central-Florida community: Does it prepare students for entry-level industry careers, management careers, and university?
Blanche Greaux and Dénver Severt
The Impact of Active Learning on Emotional Intelligence and Academic Success in Event Management Students
Keri Olivetti
Track 3 (Pedagogy)
Are We There Yet? The GPS to Transformative Teaching
Ruth Smith
10:00 AM – 10:35 AM
10:40 AM – 11:15 AM
Interactive workshop using a GPS road-trip metaphor to help educators navigate inclusive, reflective, high-impact strategies for transformative, student-centered teaching success
Teaching with AI: Practical Strategies for Integrating Artificial Intelligence Tools into Hospitality and Tourism Education
Miranda Kitterlin, Michelle Russen, Lisa Cain and Nathan Dodge Interactive workshop offering ready to use AI classroom activities, ethics guidance, and assessment tools for hospitality and tourism educators
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM Coffee Break Atrium
CONCURRENT SESSIONS VI
Track 1 (Completed) Inclusion and Ethics in Hospitality
Moderator: Marketa Kubickova
Citizenship at Work: Service Employees’ Supportive Behaviors Toward LGBT Coworkers and Customers
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
11:55 AM – 12:15 PM
12:20 PM – 12:45 PM
11:30 AM – 11:50 AM
11:55 AM – 12:15 PM
12:20 PM – 12:45 PM
Heejung Ro and Juhee Kang
See the Person, Not the Disability: Management perspectives on Workplace Climate for people with Intellectual Disabilities
Ghazal Shams, Marketa Kubickova and Swechchha Subedi
Organizational Capital Commitment and Employee Proactive Behavior in Flood Preparedness
Ahmin Kwon and Swechchha Subedi
Track 2 (Completed) Consumer Response to Innovation
Moderator: Wei Wei
Service Robots at Airports: Exploring Travelers’ Preferences Between Reusing and Switching
M. Omar Parvez and Woo Gon Kim
Technology mindfulness and expected mystique in air taxi tours: A model matching theory perspective with directed imagination as a moderator
Minsung Kim, Yao-Chin Wang, Takumi Kato and Yue Lu
Beyond Push and Pull: Clean-Label Perception as a Critical Mooring Factor in Plant-Based Switching
Imran Ahmad and Omar Parvez
12:45 PM – 2:00 PM Networking Lunch
2:00 PM – 2:15 PM Transition Break
CONCURRENT SESSIONS VII
Track 1 (Works in Progress) Emerging Business and Industry Disruption
Moderator: Luana Nanu
The Impact of Biophilic Design on Restaurants: Moderating role of Generational Cohort
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
2:50 PM – 3:05 PM
3:10 PM – 3:25 PM
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM
Niffer Khan and Luana Nanu
Fostering Psychological Safety through HRM: Impacts on Employee Engagement and Retention in the Restaurant Industry
Amir Abbas and Murat Hancer
Military Values in Civilian Fields: A Mixed-Methods Study of Veteran Agritourism and Rural Sustainability
Anabel Dillingham and Imran Rahman
Emerging Opportunities and Risks: Cannabis-Infused Beverages in the Hospitality Industry
JB Ward and Sean Barth
Track 2 (Works in Progress) Luxury Design and Servicescapes
Moderator: Yao-Chin Wang
Designing Luxury Mindfulness Hotels: A Design Narrative Approach with Interior Designers’ Perspective
2:30 PM – 2:45 PM
2:50 PM – 3:05 PM
3:10 PM – 3:25 PM
Maddison Kunkel and Yao-Chin Wang
Assessing Mindfulness on Websites of Mindfulness-Centered Luxury Hotels and Resorts: A Zen Perspective
Maddison Kunkel and Yao-Chin Wang
Exploring Food in Premium Servicescapes: From Airport Lounges to Sports and Entertainment Locales
Katheldra Alexander and Scott Taylor Jr
3:30 PM – 3:45 PM Silver Lining and Cancellation Effects: Do Customers Feel the Wallet Pains of Luxury Pricing?
Farhad Tabatabaei
Track 3 (Pedagogy) 118
A Twist on Experiential Learning Leading to Better Career Decisions
Peter Ricci and JB Ward
2:30 PM – 3:05 PM
3:10 PM – 3:45 PM
An informal/interactive discussion of one university’s journey to engage students experientially for successful career exploration
Enhancing Pedagogy Through AI Integration: Practical Classroom Applications Using Brisk and NotebookLM
Carole Sox and Sheryl Kline
Discover practical, hands-on strategies to integrate Brisk and NotebookLM into your teaching and enhance student learning with AI
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM Closing Remarks and Conference Wrap-Up Atrium
President’s Thanks
As SECSA-CHRIE president, I want to extend my gratitude for the invaluable support of our sponsors. We are indebted to you all for the success of this endeavor:
• David Blackwell, Ph.D., Jean Kabongo, Ph.D., Michelle Harrolle, Ph.D., all faculty, staff, and students of the Muma College of Business, more specifically the team from the School of Hospitality and Sport Management, who served as our platinum sponsors and hosts. This would not have been possible without your generosity in opening your doors during spring break!
• Michael Sagast, Ph.D. and the University of South Carolina’s School of Hospitality, Sport & Tourism Management
• Michael Cheng, Ph.D. and the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at the Florida International University
• Cynthia Mejia, Ph.D. and the Rosen College of Hospitality at The University of Central Florida
• Kim Severt, Ph.D. and the Department of Human Nutrition, Hospitality and Sport Management at the University of Alabama
• Visit Tampa Bay
Additionally, I express my thanks to the conference planning team at the University of South Florida: Trishna G. Mistry, Ph.D., Seden Dogan, Ph.D., Emily Pacula, Andrea Carroz, and Ver’Shanti Lamb. Your behind-the-scenes work and support were invaluable to this process.
To the 2025-26 SECSA Board of Directors, I am appreciative of your dedication and hard work, your willingness to allow me to lead, and your support in executing. This year has been a truly humbling experience for me and I am grateful it was with this team!
To you our attendees, I hope this conference has left you inspired, rejuvenated and enthusiastic to continue the hospitality and tourism education journey as scholars, researchers and educators.
We continue to be #SECSASTRONG
Safe travels home!
L. Kate Price-Howard President, SECSA-CHRIE Federation Associate Professor, Troy University
MISSION & VALUES
INTERNATIONAL CHRIE
See you in Miami in 2027!