Student leader rewarded with international learning opportunity
Explore all opportunities - you never know where it will lead
Third-year Bachelor of Tourism Management student Taryn Lomas followed this sage advice and it paid off in spades. She is one of five students recently selected from across North America to receive the 2019 Future Leaders scholarship from the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA).
“I feel so fortunate to receive this scholarship and to be able to attend one of the best conferences for meeting and event planners in the world. It goes to show that hard work and commitment can pay off,” says Lomas.
The scholarship awards her $1,000 toward her tuition, as well as complimentary registration, accommodation and roundtrip airfare to attend the PCMA Convening Leaders conference in San Francisco in January 2020. Plus, she also receives an opportunity to shadow staff at SmithBucklin, a leading association management and services company, in Chicago or Washington DC.
PCMA’s Convening Leaders conference brings together top leaders in the industry for a four-day networking and learning experience, as well as a phenomenal line up of speakers who will share their stories about leadership, overcoming adversity and making a difference in the world, explains Joanna Jagger, Convenor and Instructor with CapU’s School of Tourism Management.
“The conference will be a great opportunity to practice my networking skills and learn from some of the best leaders in the industry. I know I will come away with ideas and knowledge that I can apply to the rest of my learning at Capilano University,” says Lomas.
Taryn, who comes from Leeds, UK, chose CapU for our Bachelor of Tourism Management degree program, small class sizes and location at the doorstep to nature. Following graduation, she has her sights set on a career in event planning and marketing. She is currently exploring opportunities to promote Vancouver as an events destination or design experiential event concepts.
“Taryn is a leader with CapU's PATA Student Chapter and was the visionary for an event for female tourism and hospitality students called Inspire Her. We are thrilled to see our students get access to conferences and real world experiences in the industry," says Jagger.
Interested in learning more about how a career in tourism management can take you places? Check out the Tourism Management programs at www.capilanou.ca/tourism and meet the team at our upcoming information night on December 5th.
Submitted by: Linda Munro