University of Tennessee Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management Hosts 20th Student Enrichment Fundraiser
Event to Honor Commissioner Mark Ezell, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development with the Innovative Leadership Award
The Department of Retail, Hospitality, and Tourism Management (RHTM) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is excited to announce the 20th Student Enrichment Fundraiser, honoring Commissioner Mark Ezell of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development (TDTD) with the Innovative Leadership Award. Commissioner Ezell has demonstrated exceptional leadership in the Tennessee hospitality and tourism industry, and under his guidance, the industry’s statewide revenue has grown by an impressive 25%, or $6 billion, since he took office in 2019.
The fundraiser will take place on April 3, 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Knoxville. The event will be organized and executed by RHTM students, with faculty mentors, reflecting the event’s theme: “For Students, By Students.” The primary goal is to raise essential funds to support RHTM students’ transformative learning opportunities, including travel expenses for national competitions, conferences, and tradeshows, where they can showcase their skills, gain valuable industry insights, and network with national and international leaders.
“We are thrilled to honor Commissioner Ezell, a visionary leader in the hospitality and tourism industry. Tennessee ranks 11th in the U.S. for total tourism revenue, which reached $30.65 billion in 2023,” said Junehee Kwon, Department Head of RHTM. “Commissioner Ezell and TDTD have played a pivotal role in this success.”
The event is generously supported by several sponsors, including the Nashville Music City Center, Blackberry Farm, Bacon and Company, Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association, Wilderness at the Smokies, The Old Mill, and the Greater Nashville Hospitality Education Foundation. These sponsors, along with numerous local businesses, have contributed exciting silent auction items, which will help raise funds for RHTM students’ experiential learning opportunities.
The evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. with heavy hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, followed by a formal program featuring a three-course dinner with complimentary wine and beer, which will conclude around 8:30 p.m.
In addition to the evening event, RHTM will host a dynamic speech by Commissioner Ezell at 2:30 p.m. on April 3, titled “Economic Impact of the Tennessee Hospitality and Tourism Industry.” The speech will be held in the UTK Student Union’s Pilot Ballroom on the second floor. This event is open to students, faculty, and community members (RSVP here: tiny.utk.edu/ezellspeech).
Limited tickets for the evening fundraiser are available for purchase at tiny.utk.edu/RHTMFundraiser. For more information, please contact RHTM via email at rhtm@utk.edu or by phone at (865) 974-2141.