Posted on September 4, 2026 by University College, Chloe Johnson
Students in the hospitality and events management program traveled to Chicago this summer for hands-on learning at the National Restaurant Association Show, an influential conference for restaurant, foodservice and hospitality professionals.
Senior Michelle Erazo at the National Restaurant Association Show in May.
This summer, UT San Antonio students in the mulitidisciplinary studies – hospitality and events management (HEM) program traveled to Chicago to attend the National Restaurant Association Show, an influential conference for restaurant, foodservice and hospitality professionals.
During the conference, students got to learn more about the industry, discover current trends and network with professionals from both name brands and small businesses, all essential for building a career in the hospitality field.
For senior Michelle Erazo, who grew up helping her family’s restaurant business, the conference was the perfect opportunity to gain even more behind-the-scenes knowledge of the restaurant and hospitality industry.
“Attending the National Restaurant Show in Chicago was a very eye-opening experience,” Erazo said. “One of my key takeaways from the conference is that restaurants are one of the biggest industries across America and are constantly evolving.”
“The conference also complemented a lot of the subjects covered in my classes, such as marketing, product control and event planning,” Erazo added.
Tucker Johnson, professor of practice and associate director of community engagement and partnerships for the HEM program, helped coordinate the summer learning experience for his students.
“Hospitality is a very hands-on career, so we want to prepare our students by providing them with as many real-world learning opportunities as possible,” Johnson said. “This conference is one of many ways that our students are learning outside the classroom, while also getting exposure to different career paths.”
Watch this video to learn more about Erazo’s summer experience in Chicago:
— University College, Chloe Johnson
