Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It’s Time to Celebrate Excellence: Nominate for the 2026 International CHRIE Awards!

As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible contributions of your colleagues. In March 2026, nominations for the prestigious 2026 International CHRIE Awards will officially open. Let’s honor those who make a difference—perhaps even yourself!

Who Can Be Nominated?

Any current International CHRIE member, with the following exceptions:

New Webinars & Train the Trainer Sessions Schedules! The CoStar Group Academic Engagement Team (formerly CoStar SHARE Center) is available to serve the hospitality and tourism academic community.

If we can help in any way, please contact us at [email protected]

A Three-Year Hospitality Degree That Signals a Global Shift in Workforce Education

A Workforce Center, Not Just a Classroom

The Mesa Workforce Development Center expands the degree into a full workforce ecosystem. In addition to delivering the three-year program in person, the Center provides non-credit credentials in culinary training, soft skills, and technical hospitality competencies that are in high demand.

Press Release by Galen Collins, Ph.D. and Fred DeMicco, Ph.D

Shaking Things Up in Vegas: A Sneak Peek at Our Summer ICHRIE Conference Experience

There is nothing quite like stepping into Las Vegas, the energy, the movement, the hospitality. Our recent site visit to Mandalay Bay and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) confirmed one thing loud and clear: THIS YEAR’S ICHRIE GLOBAL CONFERENCE IS GOING TO BE UNFORGETTABLE!

Engage 360: Adventure | Innovation | Immersive Impact

March 27–29, 2026
Kalahari Resorts & Conventions – Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania

Student Registration: $75
Hotel Rate: $199 per night (share and save)
Website: nenachrie.com/2026-spring-conference

ICHRIE FutureFund™ Recognizes Best Paper Winners

The ICHRIE FutureFund™ recognizes the Best Paper Winners from the 31^st Annual Graduate Education & Graduate Student Research Conference in Hospitality & Tourism, held at Auburn University on 8-10 January 2026. With over 350 attendees' competition for the Best Paper was challenging and all the graduate students attending and presenting should be proud of their accomplishment.

There were four Best Paper Winners, and each will receive a complimentary 2026 ICHRIE Global Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada USA registration, a one-year complimentary ICHRIE membership, and a $500 gift card. We hope to see each winner in Las Vegas, possibly presenting another paper or a poster.

 Call for Papers

Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Research (JHTR)
Special Issue: The Impact of the Political Environment on Tourism and Hospitality

EuroCHRIE 2025 Conference Wrap-Up

The Hague, The Netherlands | 10–13 November 2025
Theme: Hospitality & Tourism Innovation: Exploring Inspiration Across Industry Lines

Signing Off with Gratitude (and a Smile!)

Dear ICHRIE Friends and Colleagues,

After 4½ incredible years, it’s time for me to sign off from ICHRIE with an official announcement my family applauds – retirement! What a journey it has been — full of collaboration, creativity, and a shared passion for advancing hospitality education around the world.

CentralCHRIE 2025: “A Day in the Life” Bridging the Generational Gap

This year’s CentralCHRIE Conference, hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Advanced Event Planning students, brought together hospitality educators, professionals, and students for three days of connection, collaboration, and discovery. The theme, “A Day in the Life: Bridging the Generational Gap,” centered on one important goal: building empathy with educators and industry leaders to better understand how to engage with today’s students in a post-pandemic, technology-driven world.

From October 16-18, attendees gathered at the brand new University of Nebraska Hospitality Space within the Scarlet Hotel for a conference unlike any other. Designed and executed entirely by students, the event provided hands-on opportunities for faculty and professionals to experience what life looks like for students in 2025, in and out of the classroom.

Your New Hub for Connection & Collaboration

We’re excited to announce the launch of the ICHRIE CommUnity (CU) — an exclusive online platform designed to bring members together like never before. Whether you're looking to connect with colleagues in your regional Federation, join conversations in other Federations, participate in Special Interest Groups (SIGs), ESD communities, closed board rooms, or committees — CommUnity is your new go-to space.

This powerful new member benefit allows you to network, share ideas, and stay informed through forums, direct messaging, and email updates (with a mobile app coming soon!). Start by logging in at chrie.connectedcommunity.org. Once you're in, don't forget to complete your profile with a photo, contact information, and your institutional affiliation — it helps others find and connect with you more easily.

We congratulate all of the participants and the 2025-Q4 winners...

     1st PLACE: Mel Gelnar – Oklahoma State University
     2nd PLACE: Carrie Bailey – Oklahoma State University
     3rd PLACE: Kathy Lau – University of Surrey

Congratulations and thank you to Knowledge Matters for their continued partnership and support of hospitality and tourism education.

Highlights from APacCHRIE2025 in Chiang Mai, Thailand

The APacCHRIE2025 Conference brought together a vibrant community of hospitality and tourism educators, researchers, and industry leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. With over 320 delegates representing 27+ countries/regions and 50+ organizations, the event was a powerful display of collaboration, innovation, and global connection.

We’re delighted to welcome the newly instated ICHRIE Board of Directors for 2025–2026, featuring leadership voices from our six global Federations—APac, Central, Euro, NENA, SECSA, and West CHRIE. Together, these regional Federation Presidents unite excellence across the globe to guide our shared mission in hospitality and tourism education this year.

Racing, Research, & Results: #ICHRIE2025 in Indy Was Unforgettable!

The 2025 ICHRIE Global Conference in Indianapolis, held 18–20 June 2025 and co‑located with HITEC®, brought together hospitality and tourism educators, researchers, and industry leaders for three dynamic days of innovation, connection, and celebration at the JW Marriott IndyPlace.