Redefining Hospitality Through Innovation
At UCF’s Hospitality+ Center for Innovation and Training, we transform hospitality education through bold innovation, cutting-edge technology, and immersive student experiences. Our programs are designed to empower learners at all levels, using AI, real-world challenges, and inclusive design to help more than 6,500 learners reach their full potential.
6,500+
Learners Impacted
$8.4M+
Industry Contracts Secured
15+
Strategic Partnerships
20+
Research & Consulting Projects
10+
Custom Corporate Programs
10000 hours
Experiential Hours for Students
About Us
The Hospitality+ Center for Innovation and Training at UCF’s Rosen College pioneers a new era of hospitality education. Rooted in research and powered by innovation, our Center designs e-learning experiences that are student-centric, tech-forward, and deeply immersive. We go beyond hospitality’s traditional borders, bridging sectors like healthcare, cultural policy, tourism, and entertainment to prepare the next generation of global professionals.
Our Vision
To be the global platform for training, consulting, and applied research that expands the definition of hospitality, connecting it to healthcare, education, tourism, and other industries, while positioning UCF as a leader in cross-sector workforce development and interdisciplinary education.
Guiding Principles
- Design future-ready, student-centered learning using immersive and AI-supported tools
- Promote inclusivity and global relevance in hospitality practice
- Advance interdisciplinary innovation through real-world partnerships
- Empower learners with applied, research-informed training
- Foster cultural competence, creativity, and professional readiness
Our Team
Meet the visionary faculty, researchers, and industry collaborators behind the Hospitality+ Center. Our team brings deep expertise across hospitality, education, public policy, and innovation. Together, we design programs, lead partnerships, and shape strategies that prepare learners for impact, locally and globally.
What We Do
Research
We lead applied research focused on workforce development, service design, healthcare hospitality, and tourism strategy. By translating data into action, we provide evidence-based insights that inform policy, guide business innovation, and shape the future of hospitality and experience design across sectors.
Training & Development
We offer executive education, custom workshops, and e-learning credentials that prepare professionals for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities. Our training spans leadership, sustainability, guest experience, revenue strategy, and more, equipping participants with practical, in-demand skills aligned to real-world industry needs.
Public Service
We collaborate with governments, nonprofits, and local communities to advance economic development through education. Our work supports tourism growth, small business resiliency, and inclusive access to training, empowering underserved populations through programs that deliver measurable social and economic outcomes.
Curriculum Innovation
Our academic programs and corporate learning tools embed immersive case studies, industry simulations, and global best practices. We align our offerings with employer expectations, emerging technologies, and cultural intelligence to ensure learners are prepared for impact in dynamic, multicultural settings.
Program Design & Workforce Alignment
Our offerings are grounded in rigorous research and designed around real workforce challenges. We develop targeted upskilling and reskilling programs for various industries, ensuring learners gain job-ready competencies that support career transitions, advancement, and sustainable employability.
Global Partnerships & Custom Solutions
We co-create solutions with international ministries, global brands, and regional leaders. Whether launching a national upskilling program or designing cultural training for a specific market, we develop scalable, locally relevant programs that position hospitality as a driver of innovation and economic growth.
Our Impact and Partners
With a strong foundation of partnerships, including Mazda, Wild Fork Foods, and tourism boards across the Caribbean, our Center has generated over $8 million in industry collaboration. We support Vision 2030 in Saudi Arabia and co-lead innovations in education, events, and cultural engagement around the world.
