RHTM LEARNING LABS
GO BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
At the Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management, we know that the best learning happens when you do. That’s why our Learning Labs go beyond textbooks and lectures—they’re immersive, hands-on courses where you’ll run projects like a real professional. Think of them as your first step into the industry: managing real clients, products, brands, and events while sharpening your skills. These labs aren’t just classes—they’re your chance to build an impressive portfolio, gain industry-level experience, and stand out to employers—before you even graduate.
The Blissful Wish Wedding: A ‘Yes’ to Event Management Experience
Course: HTM 412 – Wedding Execution
For Hospitality and Tourism Management students with a passion for event planning, this course offers an unparalleled opportunity. Every two years, students in this course plan and execute a full, all-expenses-paid wedding for a deserving couple facing life’s challenges—an experience that’s as meaningful as it is career-building.
As a student in this lab, you become a professional wedding planner. You will:
- Manage Client Relations: Work directly with the selected couple to understand and bring their wedding vision to life.
- Coordinate with Industry Vendors: Source and manage contracts with florists, caterers, photographers, and venue staff.
- Oversee Event Logistics: Handle everything from budget management and timeline creation to day-of execution, ensuring every detail is perfect.
- Make a Real-World Impact: Use your skills to create a once-in-a-lifetime memory for a couple in our community.
This isn’t just another class project—it’s an unmatched, hands-on experience in high-stakes event management that will elevate your skills, your confidence, and your portfolio long before graduation.
The Rocky Top Institute of Retail: Your Retail Leadership Launchpad
Course: RMM 451 – Rocky Top Retail Strategies
This Rocky Top Institute (RTI) retail learning lab provides high-level, real-world experiential learning for Retail and Merchandising Management students to advance their knowledge and professional leadership skills in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of retail. RTI students develop, implement and manage retail strategies for UTK signature Rocky Top and UT Creamery branded businesses through directional collaboration with RTI Director and industry partners.
As a member of the RTI team, you will:
- Lead New Product Development: Create and manage product ideation and life cycle roadmaps.
- Perform as a Buyer: Analyze consumer, product and market trends to develop merchandise direction and best practice strategies to exceed retail business key performance indicators.
- Develop Brand Campaigns: Establish promotional strategies across multiple consumer touch points to increase brand usage, engagement and awareness.
- Execute Merchandising Plans: Craft compelling buy-in pitches to key stakeholders and manage product merchandising rollouts to enhance the customer and retail experience.
- Manage Retail Operations: Grow a business as an entrepreneur by managing profitability, inventory, people, policies and processes.
See Our Products in the Market!
The incredible work of our students isn’t just a class project—it’s real branded merchandise you can buy! We partner with key retailers to sell one-of-a-kind products designed and sourced by Rocky Top Institute, including exclusive apparel featuring the official “Rocky Top” lyrics.
Look for these items at:
RTI provides an unmatched, resume-building experience that allows you to test your skills and graduate with a competitive edge as a seasoned retail professional.
Ready for the World Café Luncheons
Course: HTM 445 – Advanced Food Production and Service Management
Each semester, the Ready for the World Café hosts a limited-seating luncheon series inspired by global regions and their rich food cultures. This is a fully immersive, student-led experience where students design the café décor, create a themed three-course menu, test and expand recipes, choose the service style, and manage all aspects of the event while working within a set operating budget. Guests enjoy not only a thoughtfully crafted meal, but also the results of real-world culinary and hospitality training.
While we strive to provide an exceptional dining experience, please note that this is a classroom environment rather than a traditional restaurant. Menus are created by students and served as planned, with no substitutions available.
Luncheon Details:
Luncheons begin promptly at 11:30 a.m. and last about 1 to 1.5 hours. Tickets are $15.00 and can be purchased through the UT Online Store.
Location:
UT Culinary Institute & Creamery
2712 Neyland Drive
Knoxville, TN 37996
If your preferred luncheon date is full, we’d be happy to add you to the waitlist.
Just email rhtm@utk.edu with your luncheon choice, number of guests, and your contact information, and we’ll let you know if a spot opens up.
