Summer 2025 Edition of the Feiertag Collection Newsletter

Dr. Nancy McGehee

Mostly TTRA (Travel and Tourism Research Association) 

TTRA Board of Directors meeting in Galway, Ireland in June. I’m on the TTRA board, serving on the membership committee, developing a TTRA Fellows Program.

TTRA Scholar Mindset Reset Pledge workshop (Co-led a workshop with over 40 academic attendees interested in creating a Pledge for Academics in Tourism Research to address issue of ethics, integrity, and mental health)

TTRA Think Tank on Democratizing Research. A collaborative session with tourism industry partners aimed at increasing awareness and fostering partnerships between industry and the academy. The session focused on hoe academic research can be shared and utilized by practitioners.

JTR Editorial Board meeting held annually at TTRA where we (myself and my co-editor-in-chief Jim Petrick of Texas A&M) update the Editorial Board on journal data and initiatives.

Nancy McGehee recently was invited to rejoin the Board of Directors for VIA International, an organization that engages in cultural heritage and social justice initiatives along the border in the San Diego/Baja region. One of their initiatives is GOVia, which offers transformative travel opportunities for a variety of groups and ages. Nancy has collaborated on research and outreach with Via for nearly 15 years. The board met in early September on both sides of the border. Pictured above is the board during its meeting at Via Headquarters in San Diego as well as during the Fandango Fronterizo Celebration on the Baja side of the border. 

Dr. Shaniel Bernard:

Research

(Study 1) Sustainable Horizons: Rethinking ESG in Hospitality, published in the Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research

Bernard, S. et al., (2025) full article: https://doi.org/10.1177/10963480251352232

Background info:

ESG reporting in hospitality is no longer optional—it’s strategic. But are we doing it right? Hospitality firms often rely on generic ESG frameworks that miss the mark on sector-specific needs. This research analyzed 140 ESG reports and interviewed industry experts to uncover a better way. Key takeaway? ESG priorities vary dramatically across subsectors, hotels care about employee inclusion, restaurants about food waste, and casinos about governance. We propose a tailored ESG reporting model grounded in stakeholder salience and materiality. It’s a call to move beyond checklists and toward meaningful, stakeholder-driven sustainability communication.

 (Study 2) Emotions, Culture & Green Hotels: What Really Drives Guest Reviews? published in the Journal of Travel Research

Bernard, S., et al. (2025) Full article: https://doi.org/10.1177/00472875251353798

Background info:

Green practices don’t always lead to glowing reviews. So what does? Using 694 online reviews from U.S. and Malaysian green hotels, this research found that emotions, not sustainability, drive guest satisfaction. Cultural context and traveler type also play a big role. For example, U.S. solo female travelers praised green efforts when service was strong, while Malaysian guests mentioned sustainability more broadly, both positively and critically. We find that sustainability must be paired with emotional resonance and cultural awareness. The study offer a practical intervention model for hoteliers to boost guest engagement with green initiatives through habit-based nudges, social norm messaging, and emotion-driven strategies.

When Shaniel was not busy doing research, writing papers and preparing classes she also found time to organize and lead the events for Pamplin inspiring possibilities for HTM where 31  bright and motivated rising high school seniors from across the U.S students for a transformative 10-day experiential learning journey on campus, which included the etiquette luncheon and HTM workshop.  Way to impact future Hokies!  

NINIA ROBINOS - MSBA-HTM STUDENT

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a Food & Beverage Intern at the Army Navy Country Club. My role allowed me to gain hands-on experience in both restaurant and banquet operations, from serving and managing daily service to assisting with event planning and execution.

During my internship, I supported management in overseeing food and beverage operations for both daily service and special events. I coordinated service flow, assisted in planning and executing events, and ensured a seamless guest experience by training and guiding staff during peak service times. This role allowed me to develop leadership and operational skills while contributing to high-quality service delivery and successful event execution in a prestigious hospitality setting.

One of the highlights of my internship was collaborating with fellow interns to plan and bring to life a themed member event. From coordinating food, décor, and vendors to ensuring a seamless guest experience, I learned firsthand how teamwork, attention to detail, and strategic planning come together to create memorable hospitality experiences.

Prosper Catalyst Experience – Usha Tamang

My name is Usha Tamang, and I am a graduate student in the MSBA-HTM program from Nepal. I was honored to be selected as a Prosper Catalyst, which gave me the opportunity to attend the Prosper Forum in Florida this Summer. It was an incredible experience to connect with leaders across the food service and hospitality industries while gaining valuable insights into leadership, career development, and the future of our field. I was especially inspired by the keynote speakers who emphasized values such as integrity, authenticity, emotional intelligence, empathy, and networking. One of the most memorable messages came from Greg Creed (CEO of Creed Unco), who encouraged us to embrace detours, stay true to ourselves, and take bold risks in our careers.

The forum also featured a dynamic panel of executives who shared their perspectives on AI, leadership potential, cultural integrity, and navigating change. I appreciated their reassurance that AI is meant to support and enhance our work rather than replace the human element that makes hospitality unique. One of the highlights for me was the chance to personally network with CEOs, COOs, and executives from organizations such as Subway, Chipotle, PepsiCo, Marriott, Ritz-Carlton, and many more. They were welcoming, encouraging, and open to sharing advice about career paths and future opportunities. This experience truly motivated me, and I would highly recommend the Prosper Catalyst program to other students who want to connect with inspiring role models and grow in their hospitality careers.

Source HTM Linkedin post

2025 Prosper Forum | August 24-27, 2025, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, Florida

 We are so proud of our students who embraced this unique opportunity at the hashtag#ProsperForum, a community of transformative leaders shaping the future of foodservice & hospitality. Guided by Prof. Paul Carolan and Prof. Eojina Kim, Ph.D., our students immersed themselves in meaningful learning experiences, industry networking, and professional growth. ✨ Catalyst Program Participants: Aiden Buckner, Andrew McKinnis, and Usha Tamang connected with inspiring leaders and peers across the industry. Aiden and Andrew—together with Prof. Paul—also had the special opportunity to share their perspectives on the hashtag#ProsperPodcast. ✨ Event Interns: Gracyn Redding and Haley Early worked behind the scenes to support the Forum’s success, gaining hands-on experience in event operations while building connections with hospitality professionals. We were also honored to have Starlette B. Johnson—Member of the Board of Visitors at Virginia Tech and Advisory Board Member of HTM VT—join the Forum, strengthening our bridge between academia and industry. We are truly grateful for this opportunity and extend our heartfelt thanks to the Prosper Company leadership team for welcoming our students and creating such a meaningful platform for future leaders in hospitality.

Many of our undergrad students spend their summers in Internships, clocking field study hours and gaining experience in the workplace.  Here is Mavika’s story from NY City!

My name is Mavika Nzuonkwelle, and I’m a junior at Virginia Tech, double majoring in Accounting & Information Systems (ACIS) and Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM). This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) in New York, NY.

Founded in 1985 by Danny Meyer with the opening of Union Square Café, USHG has since developed some of America’s most beloved restaurants, including Shake Shack, Eleven Madison Park, and Gramercy Tavern. I discovered the company through its website and was drawn to apply after learning more about its mission and impact. What especially stood out to me was USHG’s commitment to education and professional development within and beyond the hospitality industry, offering consulting and learning resources for other organizations. The company proudly upholds six core values, which are not only posted throughout its home office but are truly lived out by every employee I encountered. As the finance intern, I worked directly under the Corporate Controller and gained handson experience across various accounting and finance functions. A significant portion of my role involved fixed asset management—verifying that the physical assets owned by the company aligned with what was reported in its financial records. I also collaborated with the accounts payable team to reconcile statements and approve vendor invoices. Additionally, I updated prepaid expenses and created journal entries to ensure the accuracy of financial data.

Through this experience, I gained valuable insight into what it’s like to work as an accountant for a multi-million dollar company. I saw firsthand how a hospitality group operating some of the busiest restaurants in one of the world’s most dynamic cities manages its revenue, expenses, inventory, and assets.

Overall, my time at USHG solidified my passion for the intersection of finance and hospitality, and it deepened my understanding of how thoughtful financial management supports long-term business success. I’m excited to carry these lessons forward as I continue to grow professionally.