November 2024 Experience Industry Management Newsletter
EIM Advisory Council Meeting and Student Networking at Oracle Park
On Oct. 4, 25 students from the Experience Industry Management Department attended a networking event at Oracle Park's Gotham Club. The afternoon began with the advisory council meeting hosted by council chair Sara Grauf, senior vice president of experience development, event strategy and service for the San Francisco Giants. The advisory council’s role is to provide high-level guidance, advice and direction for all departmental activities in alignment with its mission, vision, goals and objectives. During the meeting, the group’s members discussed the department's well-being, innovation lab updates, next year's auction and dinner, the EIM career fair and strategies for marketing the program to high school students applying to college. A select group of students had the opportunity to participate and offer their perspective, including EIM Honors Society president, third-year Zach Eagle, and EIM Club president, third-year Isabella Leyva.
Following the meeting, the students attended a panel of industry professionals, including Grauf, EIM Lecturer Jenn Prentice, Alfonso Felder, chief operating and 
experience officer of the San Francisco Giants, Yen Tsutsumi, senior vice president, business operations at George P. Johnson, and Susan Fritz-Hanson, vice president, executive creative director at George P. Johnson. The panelists shared their views on the industry’s significance and how they define it. Students engaged with the panelists, asking insightful questions about standing out in the field, how they can best prepare for success and what organizations like the Giants and GPJ look for in candidates.
After the discussion, Felder led the group on a tour of the ballpark, highlighting the experiential spaces and shared plans for future improvements. The day concluded with a networking event where the students, 31 alumni and industry professionals connected, giving students further insight into the industry and potential opportunities for future collaboration.
Experiences like these allow students to apply classroom knowledge directly to real-world settings, thanks to the generous donations that help fund such invaluable learning opportunities.
IMEX America 2024
Cal Poly's Experience Industry Management faculty and students left a lasting 
impression at the prestigious IMEX conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, held on Oct. 9-10. The annual gathering of industry professionals offered a prime opportunity for the EIM Department to showcase its commitment to experiential learning, networking and innovation. Interim Department Head Kevin Lin and Lecturer Amber Karson, along with five students — Zach Eagle, Dre Ramos, Katelyn Grace, Sofia Arredondo and Nick Foster — attended the conference to gain valuable insight into the latest trends and developments in the industry.
Sofia Arredondo, a second-year experience industry management major, reflected on her experience at IMEX, stating, “I was able to attend the Future Leader Forum, where I connected with students from around the world and heard from industry professionals. I had the chance to speak with some truly amazing, inspiring individuals who shared incredible advice. One of the best pieces of advice I received was not to be afraid to put yourself out there and try new things. This was an amazing opportunity and I believe everyone should have the chance to experience it.”
The impact of Cal Poly's presence at IMEX extends well beyond the event, reinforcing the university's role as a trailblazer in the field. Cal Poly’s participation highlights a promising future for the Experience Industry Management program, as it continues to shape the industry by empowering students, professionals and organizations to create, deliver and evaluate extraordinary experiences.
EIM Exchange Program in Munich, Germany
Cal Poly's Department of Experience Industry Management has maintained a long-standing partnership with the faculty at Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences, Department of Tourism, in Munich, Germany. This unique program offers numerous benefits, including the ability to earn credits toward your degree, the opportunity to travel to an ideal location, cultural immersion and a chance to gain a global perspective. One of the most valuable aspects of the program is the opportunity to earn a Certificate of Completion in Sustainable Global Tourism by successfully completing at least four courses: two at Hochschule München and two at Cal Poly. Additionally, students can integrate the certificate into their senior project.
Though still new, Cal Poly has hosted several students from Munich with the goal of a one on one exchange. In spring 2024, third-year student Jordan Lum became the first to participate from Cal Poly's Experience Industry Management, attending the summer semester from March to the end of July. Lum described her time abroad as one of the most life-changing experiences she’s ever had: “At first, I was afraid to go abroad, but I didn’t let that stop me. I took the leap and fully immersed myself, pushing myself to grow both academically and personally.” Not only did she immerse herself in a new culture and environment, but she also made it a priority to explore other parts of Europe when she wasn’t in school — one of the top highlights of her trip. Apart from traveling, “the best part of the experience was the people I met and connected with. While some were fellow Americans, most were other international students from Finland, Ireland, Spain, South America and many other places. Students from different walks of life all came to Munich for the same reason and I couldn’t have been happier to meet them through this program.”
Professor Marni Goldenberg, trailblazer of the program, said, “Study abroad programs enhance student’s perspectives of the world through learning in different cultures and environments. While students study in Germany, they learn about global tourism, connect with students from around the world, gain an appreciation for different cultures and expand their knowledge through educational opportunities.”
EIM Auction Celebration Auction and Dinner 2025
Save the date and reserve your seat for the annual EIM Auction Celebration, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025 at The White Barn in Edna Valley, San Luis Obispo. This year’s theme, EIM’s Magic Revealed: Elevate. Inspire. Motivate., will showcase the department’s growth and innovation over the past few years. The Auction Celebration serves as the primary fundraiser to
support student travel, scholarships, field trips and research. Students plan and execute the event from start to finish, learning key event planning skills like event design, risk management, marketing, donation solicitation and more. Lecturer Jenn Prentice and alumni mentor and owner of Brooke Nicole Events, Brooke Campbell, will return to lead the team of students planning the event.
Nicole Douglas, co-auction committee lead, describes the Auction Celebration as the epitome of the Cal Poly Learn by Doing motto and says that her time on the auction committee the past two years has provided her experience that she will carry into her professional life. She adds, “Connecting with industry leaders throughout the planning process of the auction, learning how to solicit auction items, work with vendors and lead a team, have allowed me to gain industry knowledge before I graduate.”
Prentice said, “Many of the companies that hire EIM students as interns or employees say that they notice a difference in the skill set and event management knowledge that students who have served on the EIM Auction Celebration Committee bring to their organization.”
In 2024, the event raised $75,000 for the department, helping to fund programs, research, field trips and travel for EIM students. This year, the student team is striving to surpass that number. Mark your calendars for Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, and plan to attend the EIM Auction Celebration. Interested in donating an auction item or sponsoring the event? Contact the auction committee at eimauction@calpoly.edu.
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