2025 Hospitality Leadership Summit

Thursday, April 3, 2025
Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences (CDS)
17th Floor
665 Commonwealth Ave. Boston MA 02215

The Hospitality Leadership Summit brings together students and faculty with hospitality industry colleagues for a day-long conference of inspiration and networking, spotlighting exceptional speakers who are revolutionizing the bounds of hospitality. Further highlighting “Experience Innovation” in hospitality, student teams vying for top prizes at the $50k Hospitality Innovation Competition & $12.5k Student Wellbeing Competition will give their final presentations pitching new ventures, followed by awarding the cash prizes to the winning teams by a panel of judges. To cap off this exhilarating day, the 2025 ICON Award will be bestowed upon a visionary changemaker who has significantly transformed the paradigms of hospitality.

Morning Panel: 

Winning Experiences: Hospitality’s Game-Changing Impact on the Fan Journey at Sports & Entertainment Events

Hear from industry leaders who bring the electrifying action on the field to life through unforgettable fan experiences. Learn how they collaborate with athletes and combine thoughtful planning, seamless execution, and exceptional service to create iconic events for the Paris Olympics, Super Bowl, Boston Marathon, Fenway Park, and FIFA World Cup. 

Afternoon Panel: 

Union Square Hospitality Group: Hiring Hospitalitarians

Great teams are often defined by a positive organizational culture. The panel, Hiring Hospitalitarians showcases the ways that Enlightened Hospitality can be applied to foster a culture of care. Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) was founded by modern-day restaurant pioneer Danny Meyer, 2021 SHA ICON awardee and the author of the New York Times bestseller Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business. Learn how Enlightened Hospitality, the bedrock of USHG’s success, can empower you to develop your Hospitality Quotient.

2025 ICON Award: 

A special feature of the Summit is the presentation of the ICON, recognizing an “Experience Innovator” each year who creates new and transformative paradigms in hospitality. This year’s honoree, Martha J. Sheridan has reimagined Boston’s tourism landscape since assuming her role at Meet Boston—formerly the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau, rebranded in 2022. As a seasoned tourism leader, she now guides a 1,000-plus partnership dedicated to fostering a robust and equitable visitor economy in the region. Her leadership has been pivotal in securing major events, including seven FIFA World Cup 2026 matches at Gillette Stadium and the historic hosting of the 2023 Army-Navy Game in New England. 

Event FAQ

Full Event Agenda

8:00am-9:00 am: Check-in* (17th floor of CDS)
*It is recommended to arrive early for check-in to take your seat.

9:00am-9:15 am: Welcome: Arun Upneja, School of Hospitality Administration Dean
Opening Remarks: Gloria Waters, University Provost and Chief Academic Officer

9:15 am – 10:15 am: Morning Panel
Winning Experiences: Hospitality’s Game-Changing Impact on the Fan Journey at Sports & Entertainment Events
Moderator: Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston 

10:15 am – 10:30 am: Morning Panel Q&A 

10:30 am – 10:55 am: Networking Break

11:00 am – 1:00 pm: $50k Hospitality Innovation Competition & $12.5k Student Wellbeing Competition – Final Round 

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch & Networking

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Afternoon Panel
Union Square Hospitality Group: Hiring Hospitalitarians

  • Patti Simpson, Chief Administrative Officer, Union Square Hospitality Group
  • Abe Monzon, Head of Talent, Union Square Hospitality Group
  • Megan Sullivan, Director of Operations, Union Square Hospitality Group
  • Joe Tarasco, Director of Operations, Daily Provisions, Union Square Hospitality Group

2:45 pm – 3:00 pm: Afternoon Panel Q&A

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm: Break

3:15 pm – 4:00 pm: Presentation of the ICON Award to Martha Sheridan, President and CEO of Meet Boston
Conversation with Dean Arun Upneja 

4:00 pm – 4:15 pm: Announcement of Hospitality Innovation Competition Winners  

4:15 pm – 5:30 pm: Networking Reception and celebration of winners and
Speed Networking with Sponsors and Speakers 

 

2025 Summit Sponsors

BU SHA is grateful for the generous support from our Summit Sponsors who make this event possible.

Become a Sponsor

Platinum:

                       


Gold:
             

             

      


Silver:

Supporters:
Hyatt Boston
New England Inns & Resorts Association (NEIRA) 

Current as of 3.31.25