Future Hospitality Managers Association (FHMA), founded in 1993 by Beverly Johnson and Paul Weber, enhances the professional growth of the hotel student and has since evolved to include all hospitality students, according to Johnson.

Johnnetria Gardner, vice president of FHMA, added, “It’s a great organization for students in the hospitality program. The organization started at the West Campus back in 1993.”

The mission of the FHMA is to enhance the professional growth of the hospitality students by encouraging activities where they work together as mentors and mentees.  The goal is to offer an opportunity to obtain additional firsthand knowledge of hospitality and tourism operations through travel, tours, trade shows and conferences.

Johnson said that FHMA fundraises every semester to provide students the opportunity to attend conferences, trade shows and site visits. “This forum provides an opportunity for students and instructors to become informed about prevailing concerns affecting the industry. The conferences and trade shows focus on Wisconsin’s resources, new ways to market our tourism product and the accomplishments of the tourism industry.  It is a unique occasion for students from across the state to become informed about current issues impacting the hospitality industry, as well as an opportunity to network with industry leaders,” Johnson stated.

Gardner said, “Our organization does a lot of wonderful things. We have the opportunity to experience different aspects in the hospitality industry by traveling to destinations like Las Vegas, California and New Orleans and being able to tour the different hotels and restaurants to see firsthand what it takes to make it all happen behind the scenes. Through the FHMA program we are able to support a number of events here at MATC by organizing and coordinating ceremonies for graduation, PTK/NTS, academic honors, RN pinning, allied health, and my personal favorite, breakfast with Santa. We also support our community as well by volunteering at the St. Ben’s church assisting with their dinner service for the less fortunate.”

Johnson said, “We volunteer during our travels to Las Vegas and Orlando with Clean the World. We sort and package recycled soap and other discarded hygiene products from hotels and airlines. The organization collects and recycles soap and hygiene products discarded every day by the hospitality industry and other sectors that generate environmental waste.  Through the distribution of these and other donated products to impoverished people, we prevent millions of hygiene-related deaths each year, reduce the morbidity rate for hygiene-related illnesses and encourage vigorous childhood development.”

Students can benefit from this organization by making new friends, attending industry events, traveling and volunteering. According to Johnson, students develop soft skills, learn how to work in a team, gain networking opportunities and practical experience in a safe environment; and practice event planning, project management and fundraising in a supportive environment.  They learn how to engage with diverse population, gain leadership skills, give back to the community and expand their résumé .

Gardner added, “It’s a great way to network and connect with people in the industry who share your passion. I became the vice president of FHMA this year, I think it’s a great opportunity for me being a student in the Meeting and Event Management program.”

Through the FHMA’s partnership with local theaters, all MATC students have the opportunity to attend events at discounted rates. For information on upcoming shows, email [email protected]

“If you are interested in hospitality, travel, or tourism, this is definitely the organization to join. I have met some cool people and made new friends that I’m sure I wouldn’t have met if not for being in this organization. Being able to travel is a plus, but since my husband is a member as well and we get to travel together, it makes it even more fun.  I look forward to what’s next,” Gardner said.

Clean the World has a two-part mission:

1. Collect and recycle soap and hygiene products discarded every day by the hospitality industry and other sectors that generate environmental waste.
2. Through the distribution of these and other donated products to impoverished people, prevent millions of hygiene-related deaths each year, reduce the morbidity rate for hygiene-related illnesses, and encourage vigorous childhood development. 

The Future Hospitality Managers Association (FHMA) has served the Las Vegas site by sorting and packing products.  Below find information on how Clean the World is CHANGING the World:

• Pneumonia and diarrheal disease are two of the leading causes of death among children under 5 years old. According to the World Health Organization, millions of young lives could be saved with access to bar soap and hygiene education.
• More than 2 million bars of partially used hotel soap are thrown away every day in the United States.
• By recycling soap and other discarded hygiene products, Clean the World saves lives with items that traditionally end up in landfills.