Hospitality Management Students Explore Real-World Sustainability at Exhibition Place

HLOs:

Fourth-semester students in the Hospitality - Hotel and Restaurant Operations Management program participated in an enriching field trip as part of their HRT 282: International and Sustainable Tourism course. The visit to the historic Automotive Building offered an in-depth look at sustainability in action within a large-scale hospitality venue.

Laura Purdy, General Manager at Exhibition Place and a valued member of the Program Advisory Committee, welcomed the group and shared insights into the site’s sustainability achievements. Her presentation highlighted the building’s impressive eco-conscious initiatives and how they align with broader industry standards and expectations.

Recognized as a LEED Silver-certified facility, the Automotive Building incorporates numerous sustainable features, from energy and water efficiency to waste reduction efforts. Students learned how these practices are integrated into day-to-day operations, offering a model of responsible tourism and event management.

This hands-on experience allowed students to see the direct application of sustainable strategies in a real-world hospitality setting. The visit sparked meaningful discussions and deepened students’ understanding of the critical role that environmental stewardship plays in the future of tourism and hospitality.

Thank you to Laura Purdy and the Exhibition Place team for their continued support and for helping bring course concepts to life in an impactful way.

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