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St. Petersburg College Partners to Revamp Hospitality Course

Students actively participating in an enhanced hospitality curriculum class.

News Summary

St. Petersburg College (SPC) has partnered with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater to enhance its hospitality curriculum. This collaboration introduces hands-on learning, replacing traditional textbooks with interactive content reflecting the local hospitality industry. Students will access high-quality resources and insights from local leaders across various hospitality sectors. Additionally, other significant events include Eckerd College’s Pet Graduation ceremony and the St. Pete Supplier Summit, fostering community engagement and local business opportunities.

St. Petersburg – St. Petersburg College (SPC) has initiated a partnership with Visit St. Pete-Clearwater to enhance its hospitality curriculum. The partnership is designed to revamp SPC’s introduction to hospitality course by introducing a hands-on learning experience for students. Traditional textbooks will be replaced with interactive content that reflects the local hospitality industry.

As part of the new course format, students will gain access to a variety of resources provided by Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. These resources include high-quality videos, images, and valuable insights from local industry leaders. The course will delve into different segments of the hospitality sector, such as hotels, resorts, event planning, and tourism operations. This practical approach aims to prepare students more effectively for careers in hospitality by featuring locally-relevant learning materials.

In addition to the partnership announcement, several other significant events are taking place in St. Petersburg. On May 6, 2025, senior students at Eckerd College will hold their 13th annual Pet Graduation ceremony. The event will celebrate pets owned by senior students, taking place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Eckerd’s Fox Hall. During the ceremony, a total of 23 dogs, 26 cats, five snakes, three lizards, three rabbits, two cockatiels, one ferret, and one chinchilla will receive certificates for their participation. Furthermore, an “honorary dog-torate” will be awarded to a human dedicated to animal welfare on campus, with Eckerd College President Jim Annarelli presenting the certificates and photographs for each pet with their owner.

Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, Eckerd College’s Pet Life Council registered 226 pets, reflecting that approximately 14% of the 1,582 students living on campus have pets. This annual graduation ceremony has become a cherished tradition at Eckerd College that highlights the special bond between students and their pets.

Looking ahead, St. Petersburg will also host the St. Pete Supplier Summit on May 13 and 14, 2025. This event aims to connect local businesses with purchasing and contracting opportunities within the city and its affiliated partners. The summit will kick off with the Supplier Success Symposium on May 13, emphasizing education, training, and business development. Attendees can expect a range of activities, including a keynote speaker, seminars, and panel discussions focused on navigating the procurement process.

The following day, the Supplier Connection Expo is set to take place on May 14. This portion of the summit will promote direct engagement and networking opportunities between businesses and city representatives, further strengthening the local economy.

On another noteworthy occasion, Visit St. Pete-Clearwater conducted the 2025 Besties Awards ceremony on May 9, which acknowledged excellence in the hospitality sector across 34 categories. The awards attracted over 280 nominees this year, the highest volume recorded to date. The ceremony was hosted at the Floridian Social in downtown St. Petersburg, culminating in a celebration of outstanding contributions to local tourism.

During the event, Russ Kimball, the CEO of Sheraton Sand Key Resort, received special recognition for his 50 years of service in the local tourism industry. This acknowledgement emphasizes the importance of experienced professionals in shaping the region’s hospitality landscape.

Tourism remains a vital component of Pinellas County’s economy. In the fiscal year 2024, the county welcomed over 15.4 million visitors, generating an impressive economic impact surpassing $11.2 billion. Accommodation revenue itself in Pinellas County exceeded $1.6 billion, with hotel bed tax collections reaching over $95 million. The thriving tourism industry is also a significant employment generator, supporting more than 100,000 jobs in the area.