For decades, the gesture of a mint on the pillow has been synonymous with luxury, and more importantly, care, thoughtfulness, and a warm welcome. In that same spirit, San José State University’s Hospitality Summit, with its breadth of offerings for student attendees, is itself the “mint on the pillow” for Spartans pursuing careers in hospitality, tourism and event management. 

This year’s summit, held October 3, brought together leading industry professionals who candidly shared their unique paths into their profession, offered their collective wisdom on a variety of progressive topics, and fielded thought-provoking questions from students. 

The summit commenced with introductory remarks emphasizing the importance of events like this one for students who are just embarking on their career journeys within the hospitality profession.

“In the Lucas College of Business (LCoB), experiential learning is our number one priority,” Rangapriya Kannan, LCoB dean, said in her welcome message to attendees. “…Summits like this, where you have learning, practice and opportunity come together — that helps our graduates find excellent jobs upon graduation and also helps make meaningful connections as they are in the program.”  

With a full agenda ahead, the gathering kicked off with a deeply insightful fireside chat between Lucy Giovando Watts, vice president of sales and marketing at Streamlinevents, and Melia Tano,’26 Business Administration: Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management. Giovando Watts detailed how she navigated through career decisions and even how she found herself venturing into entrepreneurship when she developed a product out of necessity. One bit of advice she drove home to the audience was the need to say yes to opportunities, even when you want to say no. 

“The more you say yes, the more opportunities will come,” said Giovando Watts, acknowledging that it’s normal to experience fear and ruminate about not being qualified enough, not having enough experience, or not liking public speaking. “Take a look at your fears, put them to the side, and just yes to opportunity,” she added, while pointing out the current scenario as a prime example. 

“But let’s take Melia here, who’s killing it, right?” said Giovando Watts as she encouraged the audience to give Tano a round of applause for her role as interviewer. Giovando Watts explained that when she was approached to do the keynote address, she suggested having a student come and do a fireside chat. “Melia raised her hand, and here she is on stage. She said yes to an opportunity, and now she can put on her resume that she did a fireside chat at a summit.”  

Lucy Giovando Watts, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Streamlinevents, and Melia Tano,’26 Business Administration: Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management. (Photo courtesy of Streamlinevents)

From Tano’s perspective, she revealed that the experience brought about nervousness about not having public speaking experience, but the result was worth it, and working with Giovando Watts was an enjoyable process. 

“..This challenge made my success all the more rewarding, and it was amazing to hear positive feedback from my peers, professors and mentors at the event,” Tano said. She went on to admit that during the fireside chat she would catch herself getting in her own head, but she knew she had to remain composed and listen actively despite having to keep an eye on the time while being ready for the next question.

“I think this is especially helpful for hospitality professionals, as we have to maintain composure and greet guests with a smile at all times, regardless of what may be going on behind the scenes,” Tano observed.

Other components of the summit included an Entrepreneurship and Technology panel discussion, a Birds of a Feather Fireside Chat, and a resource fair with representation from Marriott International, IAEE Northern California, Maritz Global Events, Beets Hospitality Group, IntBot, and Team San José, among others. 

All told, the event boasted nearly 120 students across several major concentrations, and its success could not have been possible without collaborative efforts from this year’s hosts, the LCoB, SJSU Career Center, Department of Marketing & Business Analytics, and Hospitality, Tourism & Event Management. Additionally, support was provided by the summit’s co-hosts,  Meeting Professionals International Northern California Chapter, SJSU Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurship, and Cal Poly Pomona Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.