Hospitality and Tourism Programs Keep Talent Flowing to a Growing Industry in Blount County, TN
Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Blount County is a destination where natural beauty meets world-class hospitality. The region’s growing hospitality and tourism industry requires a steady flow of talent to support its growth. Innovative programs, like the Arconic Foundation Hospitality and Tourism Internships and Maryville College’s hospitality and regional identity major, provide students with hands-on experience to meet this demand.
“Tourism continues to increase in the state, and in Blount County, it’s the fourth-largest employer. Thanks to the incredible asset of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park being located in our community, we are able to offer a wealth of outdoor activities, exciting adventures and a diverse selection of premier dining and lodging experiences,” says Jessica Belitz, director of workforce development for Blount Partnership, the county’s economic development arm. “This unique combination makes our area an ideal setting for students to gain hands-on experience and launch successful careers in the hospitality and tourism industry.”
Turning Culture Into Careers
Maryville College’s hospitality and regional identity program launched as a response to increased tourism post-pandemic and was one of the first initiatives undertaken by the college’s new president, Bryan Coker.
“After meeting with local leaders, what I learned is that the region was in need of training for professionals in the hospitality industry. We saw an opportunity to make our program distinctive by offering a hospitality program that leans into our rich Appalachian culture, while also staying true to the college’s liberal arts approach,” Coker says.
In addition to relevant business courses, such as management, accounting, marketing, and food and beverage, Coker says students enrolled in the hospitality and regional identity majors are required to take courses on topics like the natural history of the Great Smoky Mountains. Students can also take courses in food traditions of Appalachia as well as study the religion and sociology of the region. The program is housed in the college’s Downtown Center, which functions as a community event space as well.
“The Downtown Center also houses the college’s fermentation sciences minor, which is a fantastic program for students interested in a career in the hospitality industry. It has a brewing laboratory and a large teaching/ demonstration kitchen, which gives students opportunities to learn from professional chefs and other food and beverage professionals,” Coker says.
Hands-On Hospitality
Coker says partnerships with local businesses, such as RT Lodge and Blackberry Farm, have been invaluable in allowing students to apply their classroom knowledge in real-world settings.
“Our local partners have been very enthusiastic about getting this new major off the ground, thus adding new professionals to the field. We are fortunate to be supported by numerous businesses who want to see this program thrive, and our list of partners keeps growing,” he says.
Likewise, the Arconic Foundation Hospitality and Tourism Internships connect young adults interested in careers in the tourism industry with training and work-based experiences with industry leaders, such as Blackberry Farm, Peaceful Side Brewery, Bella, Clayton Center for the Arts, Little Arrow Outdoor Resort and RT Lodge.
“The program connects students directly with some of Blount County’s most sought-after hospitality destinations.
These partners offer hands-on experience in luxury service, food and beverage, lodging, and guest engagement – skills that translate across the entire hospitality industry,” says Jackie Taylor, director of the internship program.
Taylor says interns also learn transferable soft skills, such as teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, time and project management, and personal branding.
Interns receive help with resume building and mock interviews and are exposed to multiple college and career paths.
“The internship program is important because it helps develop and retain local talent,” Belitz says. “By exposing students to a variety of roles and career pathways in the industry, the program inspires long-term interest in the field and serves as a valuable pipeline for cultivating skilled and passionate professionals locally for our hospitality and tourism businesses.”
Get to Know Blount County
Want to learn more about living and working in Blount County? Check out the latest edition of Livability Blount County.