IUPUI's Tourism Department Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Special Program Featuring President of Largest Global Community of Meeting Professionals

Bruce MacMillan

The Department of Tourism, Conventions and Event Management (TCEM) at IUPUI is celebrating a significant milestone: 10 years of operating under its current name and offering a four-year Bachelor of Science degree.

To mark the anniversary, TCEM is presenting on September 16, 2009 a special program: Bruce MacMillan, President and CEO of Meeting Professional International - the largest global community of meeting professionals with 24,000 members in 80 countries - who will discuss the “Future Vision for the Meetings and Events Industry.”

McMillan’s presentation will begin at 7 p.m. in the fourth floor ballroom of the IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Boulevard. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow the presentation. Persons planning to attend are asked to RSVP to Jessica Podgers at jpodgers@iupui.edu. Visitor parking is available in the Vermont Street Garage attached to the Campus Center.

Since the Higher Education Commission granted approval for a TCEM baccalaureate degree in 1999, some 326 students have received a BS degree and an additional 304 students have received certificate degrees. TCEM was previously named the Department of Restaurant, Hotel, and Institutional, and Tourism Management.

“TCEM has and will continue to remain on the cutting-edge of tourism trends in education and research,” said Jay Gladden, dean of the School of Physical Education and Tourism Management. “There is close relationship between the industry and education and the importance of this link has perhaps never been greater than when a softening economy requires tourism and leisure industry stakeholders and businesses to rethink their strategic planning to maintain a competitive edge.”

“The department has long played a key role within the tourism and hospital community,” said Sotiris Hji-Avgoustis, professor and chair of the department. “It is important for everyone to understand the significant role this sector plays in advancing the state’s economy.”