“Ever since Mbombela had a taste of tourism with the World Cup, they’ve wanted to figure out how create a sustainable plan for it,” said Dr. Abraham Pizam, dean of Rosen College. “We wanted to show them how we do that, so we invited Mbombela officials to Orlando.”

During their September visit to Orlando, Mbombela officials toured theme parks and the Orange County Convention Center, where Pizam explained how similar attractions could help complement Mbombela’s relatively new soccer stadium and Kruger National Park – one of the largest wildlife parks in the world.

The visit resulted in an invitation for Rosen College administrators to speak at the 2012 Local Economic Development Summit, held Jan. 26-27 in Mbombela. In addition to Pizam, others who spoke on how to attract tourists were Fevzi Okumus, the department chair, Professor Ron Logan, and Orlando hotelier Harris Rosen, the college’s chief benefactor.

At the end of the summit, Pizam signed a memorandum of understanding that Rosen College will help with the conceptual planning of a convention center and tourist attraction in Mbombela.

In addition to helping with the development plan, Rosen College will also work with Tshwane University of Technology to exchange ideas and information that will benefit both schools.

Students at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management had only 14 weeks to plan, promote and produce the second annual Cabaret & Cabernet event, and they did so with flying colors.

Conceptualized and produced under the guidance of Instructor Suzan Bunn with the culinary talents of students in Chef Jay Judy’s class, the event generated $28,000 in sponsorships and profits.

Professor and Chair of the Tourism, Events & Attractions Department, Dr. Deborah Breiter, shared, “This year’s proceeds will be used to update technology and equipment for the Bachelor of Science in Event Management program.”

Bunn’s students developed the theme, planned menus, hired entertainment, secured sponsors, created collateral, handled logistics and promoted the event.  Amanda Katsch managed social networking and shared, “This year we used Facebook, Twitter and a blog to give the community a behind-the-scenes tour. We made use of people’s desire to know about the event to spread the word and build anticipation.”

Two hundred twenty tickets were sold for the April 16 evening showcase of food, wine and live Broadway-inspired performances.  The event captured the progression of cabaret alongside a robust menu highlighting classic and contemporary trends in fine wine and cuisine.

Cabaret & Cabernet was “kicked off” by can-can dancers from the Columbus Center Dance Academy and a welcome from Rosen College Dean Abraham Pizam.  From there, guests followed the dancers into the Rosen College Courtyard for the first of many wine and food pairings.

Throughout the evening, attendees experienced three performances in separate venues around the campus, punctuated by tastings between each set.  The Courtyard Café was transformed into a speakeasy with smooth tunes by Dave Worker and Kristina Simmons.  The Disney Dining Room featured the musical talents and humor of performers from Baby Grands Dueling Piano Bar.  The Anheuser-Busch Beer and Wine Lab highlighted Legacy, a dynamic four-piece ensemble comprised of experienced Disney performers and hospitality professor Ron Logan.

At the conclusion of the event, guests enjoyed a champagne toast coupled with desserts.  Simmons sang, “Cabaret” from the courtyard balcony, and each attendee left with a souvenir wine glass, stopper and lanyard.

Save the date for the third annual Cabaret & Cabernet on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Visit for updates.  To view this year’s event photos by student Dereck Mateo, please click here.

Cabaret & Cabernet was supported by GES Exposition Services, Silversea Cruises, Universal Orlando, Visit Orlando, Smart City and the Orange County Convention Center, Cabot Creamery, Puff ‘n Stuff Catering, Seasons 52, Shepherd Exposition Services and Walt Disney World Resort.

In his largest role for Disney, Ron was executive vice president, executive producer, for Walt Disney Entertainment (now Walt Disney Creative Entertainment). He was responsible for creating, casting, and producing all live entertainment products for The Walt Disney Company, including the Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Resort Paris, The Disney Institute, Disney Business Productions, Disney Cruise Line, Disney Entertainment Productions, and Walt Disney Entertainment Worldwide. He was also executive vice president of the Walt Disney Special Events Group, and executive vice president of Disney Special Programs, Incorporated. He produced dozens of shows for the parks, including Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage!, Fantasmic!, Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth at Epcot at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and even produced the Tapestry of Nations Super Bowl XXXIV Halftime Show.

Ron was a founding member of the International Foundation for Jazz, a corporate advisory council established in support of the International Association of Jazz Educators (IAJE). He is a board member of the Orlando Repertory Theatre (�鶹ԭ��), serves on the Board of Directors (USA) for the Famous People Players (Canada), the International Theatre in Long Beach, California, DreamVision Entertainment (Orlando) and Animated Family Films (South Africa).

Ron continues to pursue volunteer activities in music and theatre and teaches at the Rosen College of Hospitality Management.