  University to Launch New Website Designed to Steer PROVIDENCE, R.I. – March 1, 2007 – Many American teenagers wonder what is next for them once they graduate from high school. Recent federal statistics that point to the hospitality industry as a high growth industry and a new website launched by Johnson & Wales University will, for many, answer that question. www.whatsnext4me.com, a bilingual website, will be launched officially at the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance Showcase of the Stars to be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Wed., March 14. The website is targeted towards high school students. It is designed to enhance the image of the hospitality industry and promote awareness of the wide range of career opportunities available in the industry. One of the largest career exploration events ever hosted by and about the lodging, foodservice and manufacturing industries, Showcase is an information-packed program that promotes careers in the industry, featuring over 40 industry professionals from Union Square Hospitality Group, Coca Cola, Hyatt Hotels, Darden, Aramark and Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants among others. The professionals will participate in a panel discussion which highlights careers in the lodging and foodservice industries and a networking lunch. Funded in part by a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, whatsnext4me was designed and developed by Johnson & Wales University; its partner, the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance; and its subcontractors, NIIT/Cognitive Arts and Advertising Ventures LLC.. whatsnext4me.com addresses the forecasted future shortage of qualified workers in the hospitality industry by providing its visitors with a wealth of hospitality career information, resources, and opportunities. "The site will be a great asset for industry and for American high school students," said John Bowen, University president, Johnson & Wales. "As America's Career University® and America's largest food service and hospitality educator, it is critical that Johnson & Wales continually brings new thinking to the table on how we (along with employers) can increase the number of young adults entering the industry and reduce turnover. This can only happen when people select the hospitality industry as a career choice, rather than simply a place to get a front-line job for a few months." Designed in a fun and interactive way to appeal to youth while providing in-depth information on the hospitality industry, whatsnext4me.com includes real people in real jobs. On the site, are scores of profiles of people in real careers – from corporate chefs, to marketing mangers, and other hospitality professionals. These real people share information on their salaries, education, home lives, and hobbies as an incentive to get young people thinking about careers in the industry. In addition to the positions and profiles of real people in real jobs, there is information about and links to resources on general industry data, education, scholarship and training requirements and opportunities, industry associations and organizations, industry news, MFHA's Showcase of the Stars program, and the U.S. Department of Labor. There is also a feature – "Imagine your Future"– which allows users to explore jobs and profiles by selecting lifestyles and interests that are appealing to them. The website has generated its own buzz through two recent awards. On January 2, 2007, the Interactive Media Association whatsnext4me.com received the 'Best in Class' award for website design in the Youth category. On February 2, Adobe selected whatsnext4me.com as its site of the day. Adobe recognizes websites based on their use of strong visual designs, superior functionalities, and innovative uses of Adobe products. statistics point to job growth in hospitality industryThe U.S. Department of Labor has identified the hospitality industry as a high growth industry that will generate an estimated 1.6 million new jobs by 2012, and will experience a serious shortage of qualified workers as a result. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Labor awarded Johnson & Wales University and its partner in this project, the Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance, a grant of approximately $1 million to design and operate the teen-oriented website to stimulate interest in the hospitality industry. It is anticipated that the website will help address the forecasted future shortage of qualified workers in the hospitality industry by helping to change the sometimes negative perception that teens hold about the industry as a career option. about MFHA and showcase of the stars MFHA developed Showcase of the Stars with support from partners including New York City Schools, Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) and Johnson & Wales University. For more information, visit www.mfhashowcase.net. program highlights for showcase of the stars
10:00 a.m. -Motivational welcome by Gerry A. Fernandez, founder & president, MFHA 10:30am – 11:45am -Industry Presentation, Richard Grausman, founder of Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) -Launch of whatsnext4me.com, Career Exploration Website -Students questions and answers
11:45a.m. – 1 p.m. -Networking lunch with Students -Expected industry professionals from: Union Square Hospitality, Coca Cola, Hyatt, Darden, Aramark, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, Magnolia Bakery, Mandarin Oriental, Dunkin Donuts, The Palm, Sofitel, Marriott and The Palm. 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Career Resources Scholarship Information Internship Application
Johnson & Wales University, founded in 1914, is a nonprofit, private institution. A recognized leader in career education, we offer accredited degrees in business, hospitality, culinary arts, technology and education. With a diverse student body of more than 16,000 graduate and undergraduate students, representing all 50 states and 89 countries, JWU prepares students for personal and professional success by integrating rigorous academics and professional skills, community leadership opportunities and our unique career education model. The university is committed to urban revitalization and thoughtful historic renovation. Through active civic participation and by offering unique learning opportunities, JWU improves the quality of life in its campus communities in Providence, R.I., North Miami, Fla., Denver, Colo., and Charlotte, N.C. For more information visit www.jwu.edu.
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