If you are looking to hire well-trained meeting planners or hospitality professionals—or are seeking a degree or certificate yourself—you will find many leading event planning and hospitality programs at Southwestern universities. Also keep in mind the many community colleges in the region that often have recent grads with extensive hands-on experience.
Arizona State University in Tempe offers a bachelor’s degree in tourism development and management and a bachelor’s in business with a concentration in tourism, as well as a certificate in special events management. asu.edu
The Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas, affords students an education in a city with a plethora
of opportunities for planning and hospitality internships and jobs for grads. CEO World magazine ranks the Harrah College of Hospitality the best in the world. unlv.edu
The School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces offers in-person or online bachelor’s and master’s programs in hotel, restaurant, and tourism management and is home to the Marriott Hospitality Futures Center, which connects grads with hospitality employers. hrtm.nmsu.edu
Flagstaff’s Northern Arizona University School of Hotel and Restaurant Management awards a bachelor’s in hospitality leadership and hotel restaurant management, as well as multiple related undergraduate and graduate certificates. nau.edu