Core Values
Involve life balance, sustainability, service, leadership, innovation, curiosity, creativity, diversity and inclusivity, community and collaboration, professionalism and integrity.
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May 13, 2025
EIM Selected as Winner: 2025 President’s Diversity Award for Excellence in Accessibility and Inclusivity
This honor recognizes our work on projects like the Pop-Up Resilience Room, led by Amber Karson, Marni Goldenberg, and Keri Schwab, as well as our ongoing efforts to embed DEI into our curriculum, planning, and culture.
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April 30, 2025
EIM Resilience Room feature on KSBY!
Resilience room providing a quiet space at SLO Farmers' Market- check out the KSBY Feature!
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April 15, 2025
2025 EIM Auction Celebration Video
Whether you missed the 2025 EIM Auction Celebration or simply want to relive every magical moment, we’ve got you covered. Student videographer Michael Lee perfectly captured the evening’s festivities at @whitebarn_slo.
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April 15, 2025
Check out the EIM Spotlight Video!
Get a sneak peek into the vibrant world of Cal Poly’s Experience Industry Management (EIM) Department in San Luis Obispo, CA!
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March 3, 2025
Exploring Physiological Responses in Experience Research: Insights from Breda University
Alongside EIM lab assistant Sydney Korbey, Dr. Schwab is piloting a study with students at Architecture Graveyard to explore how walking indoors versus outdoors affects emotions, memory, and attention restoration.
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January 30, 2025
2025 Rho Phi Lambda Career Fair
Great success at the Rho Phi Lambda Experience Industry Management Career Fair! Over 200 students engaged with 22 companies.
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Experience Industry Management Students Support Local Installation
EIM Students and Faculty provided local expertise for the Lunar New Year installation in downtown San Luis Obispo.
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Experience Industry Management Students and Faculty at CPRS Conference
EIM faculty and students presented their research at the California Park & Recreation Society Connections Conference.
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Experience Industry Management at Oracle Park
Students, faculty, alumni, advisory council members, parents, and community members gathered for an industry meeting at Oracle Park complete with tour and professional networking panel.
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2025 EIM Annual Auction Fundraiser Save the Date
This year, EIM celebrates its annual 'Learn by Doing' event on Saturday, February 22, 2025
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Innovative Student Research Presentations at Professional Networking IMEX Conference
Faculty and student leaders showcased experiential learning and innovation at the IMEX Conference in Las Vegas.
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Beyond Environmental Conservation and a Tourism-based Economy
Be sure to read more about this innovative hands-on field learning experience course taught by Professors Dr. Keri Schwab and Dr. Marni Goldenberg.
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George P. Johnson and Cal Poly interns and alumni in Las Vegas working the Cisco GSX
A fun shot of the GPJ-Cal Poly interns and alumni in Las Vegas working the Cisco GSX.
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Specialized Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Administration Major Concentrations
Students studying RPTA choose from the following: Event Planning & Experience Management, Hospitality & Destination Management, Sport & Recreation Management.
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Our Vision
EIM's vision is to promote healthy lifestyles, protect memorable places, and facilitate life-enhancing experiences. Live. Protect. Explore.
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EIM Department Highlights
A short video showing some recent highlights in our department.
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April 30, 2023
Annual Auction Sponsor Visit SLO CAL Donating to EIM Student Professional Development
We can't thank you enough for choosing to support 2023 EIM Annual Auction. Your generosity helps fund student learning opportunities and experiences. Please join us!
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September 25, 2024
2024 SLO CAL Summit Recap
Earlier this school year, on September 25, 2024, Visit SLO CAL hosted its annual SLO CAL Summit, bringing together over 200 leaders in the hospitality industry for an afternoon of networking, education, and insights from SLO CAL’s President & CEO.
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April 30, 2023
2023 Annual Auction Sponsor of Student Professional Development
Join us in recognizing Launch, Inc. for providing vital gift support to the Experience Industry Management Department.
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November 15, 2024
California Restaurant Foundations Visit the EIM Innovation Lab
The Experience Industry Management (EIM) department at Cal Poly had the pleasure of welcoming 24 high school teachers from across California as part of the California Restaurant Foundation's ProStart program on November 15, 2024.
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February 28, 2025
Legacy Leaders Outreach Program
Dr. Lin (Interim Department Head) initiated the start of a student outreach program, known as "Legacy Leaders." This initiative was created to enhance department outreach, primarily targeting high school students, with some engagement at the community college level.
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November 2023
Experience Industry Management Student Installation for Boys & Girls Club On Campus
Fall 2023 RPTA 210 Experience Design Students partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of South San Luis to put on an alumni event: “Forever Linked. Forever Strong.” They held the event at O’Neil Green at Cal poly and had a guest speaker, bracelet making and enjoyed some sweet treats.
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Cal Poly Experience Innovation Lab Research Student Presentation
Student researchers are transforming the experience industry and presenting innovation and technology at professional conferences under the direction of Dr. Sandy Shen
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Dr. Pei Zhang's Research Student Completes CAFES Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Cal Poly Students have opportunities to present their research at professional conferences!
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Dr. Marni Goldenberg leads fieldtrip to Big Sur for RPTA 112 class students
Dr. Marni Goldenberg and her RPTA 112 Intro to Outdoor Parks and Recreation traveled to Big Sur for an immersive, learn by doing experience!
Continue Reading >Why EIM?
We are the 1st program of its kind in the nation and at the forefront of what's next in Experience Industry Management.
Working with top industry companies like George P. Johnson, Google, Salesforce.
Watch this video to learn and feel the excitement of EIM.
Experience Industry Management department's name change makes it the first of its kind in California, blending tourism, travel, experiences, social media, culture, sports, outdoor recreation, and events!
The name change was made to better reflect the national shift in the industry and to more accurately represent what students learn. The word 'experience' represents a better idea of how students can use their experiences to influence and change people's lives for the better.
Our Graduates
"....thank you for providing such an awesome opportunity with the executives from George P. Johnson, Cisco, and Salesforce. I networked with the CEO and hiring personnel from George P. Johnson, as well as Cisco. It blows my mind that EIM puts on events like that for students......thank you for fostering such a unique culture that I am proud to be a part of on campus." Mason Platt
What's Happening?
Cal Poly Experience Industry Management Department Celebrates the Grand Opening of the New Donor-Funded Experience Innovation Lab
Experience Innovation Lab has its first official project with donor George P. Johnson!
Experience the Innovation Lab!
Faculty and Student BEACoN Research Scholars News
EIM News
Jan 29, 2026 Save the Date
EIM June Newsletter
Experience Our Industry Podcast
No matter where life takes us, what we remember ... is ... The Experience.
Listen to our graduates discuss their experiences with EIM and their current careers. 
Joanne Lodato shares a vision video produced by Sam Snowden.
The Cal Poly EIM highlights the latest jobs, internships & opportunities! Jobs Blog ►