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.
Thursday Evening: Kicking Off with Connection
The conference opened with a casual rooftop social at the Scarlet Hotel’s Barred Owl Lounge. Attendees enjoyed relaxed networking over food, music, and panoramic views of Lincoln, setting the perfect tone for a weekend focused on meaningful relationships and open dialogue.
Friday: “A Day in the Life”
According to the attendee evaluations, Friday’s immersive experience was a highlight for many. After breakfast and orientation, participants received their “Bid Day Cards” and joined a student experience: Greek Life, Athletic Life, and Work Life. The idea was simple but powerful - for attendees to step into the shoes of students.
Throughout the day, groups experienced life as students do: grabbing lunch in different dining halls, being immersed in Greek houses, participating in athletics, and actually working shifts in a local hotel. The day concluded with a themed “Monday Night Dinner” and optional evening outings, offering a fun glimpse into student social life.
Saturday: Collaboration and Reflection
Saturday brought everyone back together for a day focused on discussion, reflection, and professional growth. Attendees participated in student-led panels and breakout sessions exploring how faculty and industry professionals can better connect with, mentor, and motivate the next generation of hospitality leaders. Conversations were candid, collaborative, and energizing, leaving many inspired to bring new approaches back to their classrooms and organizations.
Building Bridges Between Generations
Many attendees noted that experiencing the event through a student’s perspective gave them valuable insight for future use. One attendee said in their event evaluation, “The Greek house tour was a lifetime best moment and truly immersed me into the college student life!” Students, in turn, expressed gratitude for the chance to showcase their skills and creativity while connecting with leaders in the field. As one student shared afterward, “Seeing how excited the attendees were about something we built from the ground up was the best part of the entire weekend.”
Looking Ahead
The success of CentralCHRIE 2025 was made possible by the collaboration of the CentralCHRIE board, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Hospitality, Restaurant, and Tourism Management program, and the dedication of the Advanced Event Planning students who designed every detail of the experience.
To everyone who participated, supported, or followed along from afar, thank you for helping make this year’s event a success. The conversations sparked in Lincoln will continue to guide and inspire how we connect across generations in hospitality education.
We look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s CentralCHRIE Conference and continuing to bridge the gap between today’s students and tomorrow’s leaders.
Enjoy these photos and videos from the event, taken and put together by the UNL Advanced Events Students!
