UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management students representing the MPI Knights student chapter recently gained valuable industry experience at IMEX America 2025, the largest trade show in the U.S. for the global meetings, incentives, conferences, and events industry.
Through a special partnership with Visit Orlando, students had the opportunity to assist with on-site activations, network with industry professionals, and observe the inner workings of one of the most influential events in the meetings and hospitality sector.
Students volunteered at Visit Orlando’s signature Wake Up with Visit Orlando breakfast, welcoming and directing more than 400 guests, ensuring a smooth and engaging experience for attendees. Following the event, students shadowed Visit Orlando’s sales team during scheduled business appointments, gaining firsthand exposure to destination marketing, client engagement, and relationship-building within a dynamic international trade show environment.
In addition to their volunteer work, the group attended Visit Orlando’s booth presentation, where they learned how Orlando’s hospitality community presents itself to global buyers. The session offered a behind-the-scenes look at how destination marketing organizations communicate brand identity, foster business connections, and drive tourism through storytelling and collaboration.
Beyond their partnership with Visit Orlando, the students took full advantage of all that IMEX America had to offer. Over the four-day conference, they participated in educational sessions, networking events, and the Future Leaders Forum, where they connected with professionals, explored the show floor, and discovered emerging trends shaping the meetings and events industry. They also visited two major hospitality sites in Las Vegas, exploring the Universal Horror Unleashed attraction and the Four Seasons at Mandalay Bay for an up-close look at innovative event and venue operations.
For the MPI Knights, this immersive experience served as both professional development and a glimpse into the global scale of the industry they are preparing to join.
“This partnership with Visit Orlando gives our students invaluable exposure to real-world practices in meetings and events,” said faculty advisor and Interim Chair of the Department of Tourism, Events, Entertainment and Attractions, Dr. Jeeyeon (Jeannie) Hahm. “They’re not just observing, they’re participating, representing Rosen College, and learning directly from leading professionals.”
The collaboration between Visit Orlando and UCF Rosen College highlights the strong connection between the university and Central Florida’s tourism industry. By actively engaging students in high-profile industry events, both organizations are investing in future leaders and reinforcing Orlando’s reputation as a global meetings destination.
If you’re ready to build your future in the meetings and events industry, explore our Event Management (BS) degree. Plus, connect with MPI Knights on LinkedIn and Instagram to see how students turn classroom learning into real-world experience.
Stay tuned for more stories, where we celebrate the hands-on learning and professional accomplishments of our students and alumni.