HSMAI South Florida continued the awarding of its annual Dr. Peter Ricci Scholarship at the 2023 Annual GALA held at the Margaritaville Resort in Hollywood, Florida on October 30, 2023. Professor Greg Bohan, Instructor in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), accompanied by Karima Lanfranco, Hospitality Management Professor and Program Coordinator at Lynn University took to the stage to present checks to three students: Lauren Dwen (Lynn), Ariana Bukovac (FAU) and Aiden Lake (FAU).

This scholarship fund, created by HSMAI South Florida former president Carmen Ackerman, was designed to provide educational funds for students pursuing degrees at either undergraduate or graduate levels in hospitality, tourism, or culinary across South Florida’s various institutions of higher learning. Dr. Ricci was singled out for the naming of this scholarship honor based on his years of service to HSMAI, his passion for education and his experience in the hospitality industry.

Students can apply and receive funding based upon the merit of their application, their personal achievements, and their career goals. The career interests must align with HSMAI in the areas of hospitality sales, marketing, or revenue management including ancillary areas of eCommerce, digital marketing, travel product/service distribution, personal sales, and related niche segments.

About Dr. Peter Ricci

Dr. Peter Ricci is the Director of the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). He has over 40 years of industry and teaching experience in the hospitality industry from the ages of 14-56. Feel free to reach out by email or on LinkedIn.

About HSMAI

HSMAI is a global organization of sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI leads the way in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry. Operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and for the sales, marketing, and revenue optimization disciplines, HSMAI connects its members with customers. Founded in the United States in 1927, HSMAI is a membership organization comprising 5,000 members from 35 countries and chapters worldwide. HSMAI operates around the globe via regional boards of directors and staff. There are four regions: the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, with a Latin America region under development. Each region has geographic chapters and signature programs and services for association members. HSMAI has a Global board which is made up of delegates from each region.