After graduating from the University of Central Florida’s Rosen College of Hospitality Management this past spring as the first Japanese graduate of the Event Leadership Master’s Degree Program, Seiji Teramachi ’25MS has already made a major mark on the global stage—beginning in his hometown of Hokkaido, Japan.
Just days after earning his degree, Teramachi served as chief secretariat of the inaugural International Conference on Destinations, Events and Sports, held May 8–11 at Hokkaido University in Sapporo. The landmark event was co-hosted by UCF’s Rosen College, Hokkaido University, and The Hokkaido Shimbun Press, bringing together international experts to explore the future of tourism, sports, and event destinations.
“To help organize such a meaningful international conference in my hometown right after graduating from UCF … it was an incredible honor,” Teramachi said. “I was proud to represent UCF and contribute to advancing academic and professional conversations in this field I’m so passionate about.”
The conference featured a prestigious lineup of committees and scholars.
- Dr. Alan Fyall, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Visit Orlando Endowed Chair of Tourism Marketing at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, served as Chair of the Conference Committee.
- The Organizing Committee was chaired by Dr. Tadayuki Hara associate professor & senior research fellow at the Dick Pope Sr. Institute for Tourism Studies, with Fyall and Dr. Jeeyeon Jeannie Hahm, Associate Professor and Interim Chair of the Department of Tourism, Events, Entertainment, & Attractions at Rosen College, serving as co-chairs.
Professor Hiroyuki Kamiyama of Hokkaido University, who chaired the conference, emphasized the event’s broader impact. “One of the challenges facing society today is the sustainable development of tourist destinations,” Kamiyama said. “Tourism not only creates temporary economic benefits but also carries the responsibility of preserving regional cultures and natural environments, while contributing to peace through the appeal of these attractions and the exchange of people [and ideas].”
Fyall, a key figure in shaping UCF’s Event Leadership program, described Teramachi as an ideal embodiment of its mission. “The international event industry continues to grow and transform itself exponentially, with a recognized global shortfall of experienced and dynamic leaders to take the industry into the future,” he said. “Seiji was a perfect fit for the program due to his extensive experience in Japan and his passion to lead the industry through its next phase of transformation.”
Among the conference attendees was Risako Karasawa ’21, a Rosen College alumna and summa cum laude graduate in entertainment management. She reflected on the significance of Teramachi’s leadership. “Watching a Rosen graduate not only participate in global academic conversations but lead them with such clarity and professionalism is a powerful reflection of the strength of education and mentorship at Rosen College,” Karasawa said. “Seiji is a true role model—not only for Rosen students but for aspiring professionals around the world who dream of making a difference.”
For Teramachi, the conference marked a powerful culmination of a remarkable journey. With more than 20 years of experience organizing events—from marathons and exhibitions to the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival—he also served as operations manager for the marathon at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021.
“I collaborated with event directors from around the world. That experience made me realize I had skill gaps to address,” Teramachi said. “I wanted to approach event management from an academic angle, which led me to UCF’s Event Leadership program, one of the few of its kind globally.”
He made the bold decision to relocate from Japan to Orlando to pursue the degree. And despite challenges—including a language barrier and working full-time at The Hokkaido Shimbun Press, one of Japan’s leading newspapers—Teramachi successfully balanced graduate school with a demanding career.
“UCF’s Event Leadership program helped me move beyond intuition and experience,” he said. “It gave me the tools to lead with strategy, data, and innovation. Courses like Event Design and Event Marketing changed how I plan. I learned how to build meaningful relationships with stakeholders and how to apply data-driven insights.”
Fyall said the program is designed to prepare students for precisely that kind of transformation.
“The program immerses students in strategy, leadership, technology, and contemporary trends that will shape the industry over the next decade,” he said. “It prepares graduates like Seiji to navigate complex, international environments and lead with innovation.”
He also credited Rosen College’s real-world, research-driven faculty as central to the program’s success.
“Rosen faculty are deeply engaged with both industry and academia, in the U.S. and abroad,” Fyall said. “We are respected thought leaders, as evidenced by the success of the International Conference on Destinations, Events and Sports in Sapporo.”
The event also highlighted the value of international academic partnerships.
“These collaborations are vital for sharing perspectives across different regions,” Fyall said. “No single country holds all the answers for event success. As mega events expand beyond traditional hosts in Europe and North America, partnerships with regions like East Asia and the Middle East are essential.”
Now, as a UCF graduate, Teramachi is launching a new business in Tokyo focused on the MICE industry (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions). He is the president and CEO of EC Inc., a member of the Hokkaido Newspaper Press Group, which has overseas offices in Washington, D.C.; Seoul; Beijing; Moscow; and Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.
His team specializes in event management, international conferences, translation and interpretation, and guide training. As CEO, he aims to deliver globally competitive events that promote cultural exchange and sustainable development.
As the first Japanese graduate of the Event Leadership program, Teramachi said he feels both honored and deeply responsible.
“UCF gave me more than an education. It gave me a global perspective and a professional network that will shape the rest of my career,” he said. “I’m ready to take what I’ve learned and help transform the future of events in Japan and beyond.”
From the Olympic stage to international conferences, and now as a business founder, Seiji Teramachi exemplifies what it means to lead with vision, purpose and innovation—just as he learned to do at UCF Rosen College.