Student Organizations

The excitement and diversity of the hospitality industry is reflected in the clubs and professional organizations available to School of Hospitality Administration students. Joining one or more of these organizations demonstrates teamwork and helps students build leadership skills while establishing contacts with industry professionals.

Club membership offers opportunities for networking with fellow students, former students and industry leaders. Club activities include tours of hospitality establishments, distinguished guest speakers, social events, conferences and more. And membership in professional organizations during college is linked to an increased chance of success after graduation.

American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA) - Student Chapter

Advisor - Diana Barber
The AH&LA student chapter at Georgia State provides students with a forum to increase their industry knowledge, introduces them to key hospitality executives and exposes them to the endless opportunities available within the lodging industry. Student members have an opportunity to delve into the world of hospitality and make a name for themselves while they are still in school. Membership provides students access to a network of industry executives and opportunities to attend conferences and events sponsored by the AH&LA parent organization.
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Eta Sigma Delta - An International Honorary Hospitality Management Society

Advisor - Joe Perdue
This is a scholastic honorary society for juniors and seniors in Hospitality Administration with a cumulative grade point of average of 3.0 or above. Eta Sigma Delta’s purpose is to recognize the scholastic and professional achievement of students in hospitality management, tourism and culinary arts. Eta Sigma Delta stands for excellence, leadership, creativity, service and ethics. Application forms are available in the School of Hospitality office. 

Georgia State Student Chapter of the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA)

Advisor - Ray Ferreira
The Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) is the professional Association for managers of membership clubs. With close to 7,000 members across all classifications, our manager members run more than 3,000 country, golf, city, athletic, faculty, yacht, town and military clubs. The objectives of the Association are to promote and advance friendly relations among persons connected with the management of clubs and other associations of similar character; to encourage the education and advancement of its members; and to assist club officers and members, through their managers, to secure the utmost in efficient and successful operations.

The Georgia State student chapter of the Club Managers Association of America is dedicated to assisting students who are interested in the club management profession in choosing a career in this sector of the hospitality industry. Chapter meetings enable students to enhance their careers through activities such as professional development programs on the university level, site visits to local clubs, leadership opportunities as a chapter officer or committee member and chapter visits by club management professionals. 

The Global Soap Project - Student Chapter at Georgia State

Advisor – Diana Barber
The Global Soap Project - Student Chapter is a community service student organization with close ties to the hotel industry. The parent organization recovers and recycles soap from American hotels and facilitates a process by which it is sanitized, melted and remolded into new bars and then distributed to refugee camps in Africa and elsewhere in order to improve the quality of life by improving the quality of health of refugees and displaced people around the world. Scientific studies indicate that hand washing with soap can reduce the risk of disease by 42-65 percent.

Our mission as the student chapter is to educate the university community about the merits of the Global Soap Project, to recruit local hotels to recycle their partially used soap, to raise money and awareness, and to build a solid organization at Georgia State. We aspire to advance the academic and professional development of our members, while helping displaced persons residing in refugee camps throughout the world.
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The International Association for Exhibition and Events (IAEE)

Advisor - Jack Morris
The International Association for Exhibition and Events (IAEE) is an organization for professionals in the event, tradeshow, meetings, venue and destination management segments of hospitality as well as convention services and hotel/venue sales and marketing.

IAEE is dedicated to educating students on the many facets of this industry as well as providing assistance in gaining industry experience. Each month members receive updates on available jobs and internships as well as advice and assistance with placement. The Southeastern Chapter of IAEE welcomes student participation at its meetings and annual events.
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National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH)

Advisor - Dr. Soon-Ho Kim
As the leading professional organization for minority hospitality students, the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) focuses on diversity and multiculturalism, as well as the career development of its student members. The Georgia State chapter of NSMH is dedicated to delivering a program to our student members that provides them with a variety of opportunities that assist them in achieving their educational and professional goals. These include hotel and restaurant tours, industry guest speakers, volunteer opportunities and networking events.

Students also benefit from a number of volunteer opportunities with local hospitality organizations as well as the annual career fairs and Senior Night.