National Conference Center Partners With Belmont Ridge Middle School
Young Students Learn About the Hospitality Industry and Career Potential

LEESBURG, VA, December 22, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The National Conference Center (NCC) is partnering with Belmont Ridge Middle School this year with a program that gives eighth-grade students a real behind-the-scenes look at business operations, and various aspects of the hospitality industry. The middle school's business partnership program includes six hands-on lesson plans held at NCC that teach the value of the hospitality industry. This is the 3rd year of this award-winning program.

By experiencing everything from planning an event, marketing to customers, to practicing culinary techniques, the students learn what's involved in running a hospitality operation as well as various employees' roles and responsibilities.

"This program is extremely beneficial to students in learning about our industry so that, if interested in exploring a career in hospitality, they have a good understanding of what to study to ensure a better chance at career placement," explained Kurt Krause general manager at NCC. For students who may not be interested in hospitality as a career, the experience provides them with a good sense of how a business operates and how what they are learning in school may be applied to the "real" world.

The program has also been insightful to NCC employees who are able to view their occupations as interpreted through the eyes of eighth graders. "I really enjoy this program," stated Sharon Meyers, director of catering at NCC. "These kids bring a new perspective and a fresh eye to our business. They ask great questions and offer creative ideas."

This program is part of a larger initiative at NCC to support education. Each spring, the property hires interns from around the country who work in various departments throughout NCC, collaborate on special projects and provide NCC with ideas on streamlining various sectors. Last summer, the numbers of interns at NCC was up 30% with the property seeing a record number of applicants. The interns designed a signage system with a 50-page manual on way finding at NCC; and an extensive safety program that incentivized employees to follow safety practices.

"Through our dedication to education and with these various programs, we're able to help more students who have an interest in the hospitality industry find employment in their respective field," Krause stated. "By the time they graduate high school and college, they should have a good understanding of the many types of jobs available and what it takes to succeed in hospitality."

"Our education program is also part of our overall sustainability efforts," Krause continued. "We continue to set the bar in our community for our commitment to sustainability. And now, through this school partnership, we're also able to educate the next generation on the importance."

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