Sodexo Dominates the Annual Conference of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) — February 21st-24th
By Jerry Paulison, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition

For the past eight years, Sodexo has been an active sponsor of the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality’s (NSMH) annual conference. NSMH is the premier organization for hospitality students, and their annual conference is an opportunity for their student members to network with one another, as well as with industry professionals from around the country. This year’s conference, which was held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was the most successful conference to date. This success can be attributed in no small part to the large presence that Sodexo had throughout all facets of the event.

To begin, Sodexo’s Education-Campus Division Senior Vice President, Fred Formichella, contributed $3,000 to support the transportation of North Carolina Central University students with financial needs to attend the conference. Secondly, ten of Sodexo’s leaders participated in fifteen key panel discussions and workshops on various topics ranging from the Role of Diversity in Corporate America to Career Options in Contract Services.

Sodexo also conducted a record 139 interviews of top students for their Future Leaders Internship Program and for entry-level positions. As a result, they have identified 49 top candidates for entry-level positions and 11 top candidates for the Future Leaders Internship Program.

Finally, the conference culminated with an annual awards gala where Sodexo joined forces with Hyatt, Red Lobster and Marriott to award a $2000 scholarship to Robin Brewster of Boston University. Constance Samuels, a former 2007 Sodexo Future Leaders Intern as well as a current Sodexo Ambassador on the campus of Virginia State University, was also awarded a $1500 scholarship by the company.