Hospitality students at the University of Wisconsin-Stout are leading the planning and coordination of this year’s STEMM Student Expo, scheduled for December 11. The event, which has been held for over a decade, will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Memorial Student Center Great Hall and ballrooms. It is open to the public and will feature nearly 100 research projects presented by more than 250 students across various fields.
This marks the first time that students from Professor Kristal Gerdes’ Hospitality Convention/Meeting Planning class are responsible for organizing the expo. Gerdes, who chairs the hospitality and technology innovation department, described the experience as an opportunity for practical learning: “This is the hands-on, minds-on aspect of the polytechnic experience,” she said. “The students get to plan and execute the whole event. It’s an opportunity for them to build their resumes and is a springboard for their careers. With this being the first year we’re taking charge of the expo, it’s a learning process. But we’re creating a base for future expos, and with the hospitality students’ help, the event will grow.”
Among this year’s exhibits is a demonstration by United Solutions of Automation and Robotics (U.S.A.R.), which will showcase Stokes Robotics’ SHEP Quadruped Robot—a robotic dog designed to demonstrate advancements in quadruped technologies.
A hospitality-themed scavenger hunt called “Find the Pineapple” will also be part of the expo activities, inviting attendees to locate hidden pineapples throughout the venue.
The STEMM Student Expo is one of several major events happening at UW-Stout in early December, alongside others such as Stout Game Expo on December 10 and the School of Art and Design Senior Show on December 12.
Leisure and hospitality have become significant contributors to Wisconsin’s economy in recent years. Between 2022 and 2032, more than 32,000 jobs are expected to be created in this sector according to data from state workforce authorities. Event planning specifically has emerged as one of its fastest-growing areas.
Gerdes explained that her course is foundational for hotel, restaurant, and tourism management majors at UW-Stout: “It’s all about creating a better customer experience,” she said. “I can help walk the students through the experience. I let them know that it’s OK for them to stumble, but I’ll never let them fall. They’re gaining these event-planning experiences now, so that they know what will work and what won’t work in event planning in their careers.”
Students were divided into groups focused on aspects such as design, logistics, marketing, poster management, registration, and program coordination. They collaborated with CSTEMM Executive Assistant Jacob Anderson and staff at Memorial Student Center on logistical needs including technology setup and catering while adhering to budget constraints.
Ian Bryant and Brooke Kugel—both juniors majoring in hotel, restaurant & tourism management—were part of the marketing group responsible for promotional materials aligned with university branding as well as social media outreach.
“Our job is to sell the event. While we’re highlighting current students showcasing their research at the expo, we’re also trying to attract prospective students – new students – to encourage them to participate in the expo in the future,” said Bryant.
Kugel added: “Professor Jay Jones always reminds us to show what hospitality students can do. There are a lot of undeclared majors at UW-Stout. Showing those students what we, as hospitality students, are doing is a positive way to bring students into our HRTM program.”
Kugel has prior experience working on events at venues such as Horseshoe Bay Golf Club in Door County and Door County Jellystone Park.
UW-Stout offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs through its College of Science, Technology, Engineering Mathematics & Management (CSTEMM), School of Management, and Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering.
The university emphasizes applied learning with strong connections to business sectors throughout Wisconsin.
