Tourism and Travel
Graduation Year: 2008
By the end of January 2011, Bethany Georgas will have traveled to California, Kenya, Egypt and Dubai, and all in less than two years. She is the Coordinator of Brand Development and Global Partnerships for Fairmont Hotels and Resorts.
Her overseas trip will focus on implementing Fairmont’s youth fitness program, RU Ready?, at several of the company’s hotels. Bethany is the Project Lead on this program, as well as Fairmont’s print and online magazines.
Much of her work involves travel a little closer to home, including trips to Montreal to meet with Fairmont partner Cirque du Soleil, and to Collingwood for the Wayne Gretzky Ford Golf Classic. Working with a roster of partners that includes EMI Music, Saks Fifth Avenue, Napa Valley Vintners and Adidas, Bethany is involved in several interesting and varied projects within any given month.
She feels particularly fortunate to play a role in maintaining and developing partnerships that involve charitable giving. “It is very rewarding to be part of a company that supports their partners and serves the community.”
Bethany began her training at the University of Guelph. After completing two years of study in the Hotel & Food Administration program, she decided to search for a more hands-on educational experience. Based in part on great feedback she received about Sheridan’s Tourism & Travel program - the smaller class sizes particularly appealed to her - Bethany switched to Sheridan. Having interned at Fairmont Hotels and Resorts while at Guelph, she resumed work with the firm during her co-op semester at Sheridan. After graduation Bethany was offered her current position.
She felt well-prepared to take on a marketing position at such a high profile company, thanks to the business training she received at Sheridan. “Unlike many colleges, Sheridan offers its Tourism and Travel program through the School of Business, says Program Coordinator, Victoria Renton. “As a result, our grads have a strong grasp of sales and they learn what’s expected of them in a business environment.”
Bethany, who graduated with high honours, found that she flourished under the hands-on, practical learning environment she was seeking. “The willingness of my professors to get to know me personally made all the difference. Their friendliness, patience and caring for my well-being really resonated with me.”