UK students make ‘lasting impact’ on community through event planning course projects

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 2, 2025) — In their event planning and coordination class this fall, University of Kentucky students engaged in a group project that went beyond the classroom, allowing them to serve both UK and the city of Lexington.

The course, HMT 570, is offered by the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management in the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE). Through the course, students engage in hands-on event planning, enhancing their skills in coordination, communication and problem solving while providing valuable service to the local community. 

“By integrating community needs into their projects, HMT 570 students are making a lasting impact and exemplifying the values of service, collaboration, and social responsibility,” said Tracy Lu, associate professor in the Department of Retailing and Tourism Management.

Lu assigned her students into groups to plan and execute an event during November, applying the foundational event planning skills they had learned.

Emilia Grossi, hospitality management and tourism senior, appreciated that the project "left so much room for creativity.” Grossi already worked for Veterans Park Elementary’s after-school program, so she wanted to plan a fall party for those students.

The event included cookie decorating, hand-turkey painting and a scavenger hunt around the school — and the kids had a blast, according to Grossi. The event planners had fun, too, of course, and Grossi said it was a rewarding experience “to pour into the local community.”

“A lot of the kids come from all sorts of different family and economic backgrounds and may not get the opportunity to do many things like we planned, so it was really sweet to be able to provide that for them. It was so precious getting to see the kids just be kids,” she said.

One group started spreading Christmas cheer on campus a little early with a “Christmas in November” event. Hosted in the Boone Center on UK’s campus, the event included festive snacks, a hot chocolate bar and a movie screening.

“The most rewarding part was seeing how a simple gathering could bring people together and spark joy during the holiday season,” said DeLainey Potts, a hospitality management and tourism junior. “We were getting compliments left and right throughout the day, which made all the hard work feel so meaningful.”

Potts said she learned the importance of teamwork, adaptability and attention to detail in event management.

“From planning and promotion to execution, I saw how every small decision impacts the overall success of an event,” she said. “Most importantly, I learned how crucial it is to stay focused on the guest experience, ensuring the event feels seamless and enjoyable for everyone.”

Another student-planned event was “Take a Paws” with the Lexington Humane Society which promoted awareness about the importance of adopting companion animals and advocated for compassionate treatment of animals. 

"The dogs had such a positive impact on students and put a smile on their faces,” said Elizabeth Dicken, a senior studying merchandising, apparel, and textiles and business marketing.

Another group partnered with the UK Recycling Program to promote “Waste Wizard,” a new tool to help with proper waste disposal. The event helped students learn how to use the tool and encouraged reducing waste to achieve a zero-waste campus.

“Through these events, students not only put their event planning skills into action but also contributed positively to the community, supporting causes related to education, animal welfare, and sustainability,” Lu said.

To learn more about the hospitality management and tourism program, visit https://rtm.ca.uky.edu/undergraduate/hmt.