The hospitality management and event management students will venture behind the scenes to experience the inner workings of a cruise ship and attend a series of educational seminars by Disney Cruise Line executives on a variety of topics.

鈥淭he cruise industry is the most exciting growth category in the entire leisure market,鈥� said course instructor Suzan Bunn.聽鈥淥ver 50 million North Americans indicate an interest to take a future cruise with an average annual passenger growth rate of over 7 percent.聽Cruising affords a way to sample destination areas in a way no other travel does.鈥�

Students first will study by land during lectures at Rosen College and then by sea during a five-night Caribbean Cruise on the Disney Wonder. The partnership between the college and Disney will give participants the opportunity to learn about the cruise-industry history, operating and marketing procedures, career opportunities, ship profiles, itineraries and ports of call.

鈥淲orking with the Rosen College of Hospitality Management enables us to share our expertise with the next generation of hospitality and tourism professionals and provide insights that will help them better understand the cruise industry,鈥� said Anthony Connelly, senior vice president of Disney Cruise Line operations and a 麻豆原创 alumnus.聽 鈥淲e strive to make a positive impact in the lives of our neighbors in all of our homeports and destinations around the world, and it is especially meaningful to be able to do that right here at home in Central Florida. We believe these efforts will ultimately benefit the cruise industry, which is a significant segment of tourism in Florida.鈥�

For many, taking a cruise may sound like a vacation, but for students interested in taking this course, it is an opportunity to add to their knowledge and skills in preparation for a career in the field.

鈥淚’m very passionate about the cruise industry and that is the reason why I am going to school here at Rosen,鈥� said sophomore Jessica Getlik.

Only Rosen College degree-seeking students are eligible for this course and a valid passport is required. For more information, contact Bunn at suzan.bunn@ucf.edu or 407-903-8212.

This year鈥檚 theme, 鈥淗ooray for Hollywood,鈥� will celebrate the university鈥檚 50th anniversary, as well as the Hospitality Management program鈥檚 30th year, with an evening full of food, wine and live entertainment that highlights the golden ages of Hollywood.

This year鈥檚 Hollywood affair will feature comedic appearances by notable 1930鈥檚 movie stars; big band performances that include the best in jazz and swing of the 1950鈥檚; and an interactive Hollywood game show. In addition to the live entertainment, Cabaret & Cabernet is also highlighted by its signature selection of food and wine pairings.

鈥淲e are planning a production involving close to a dozen performers, which is sure to bring our guests a larger than life night, full of all that is Hollywood,鈥� said senior Nate Gonzalez. 鈥淲hether you鈥檙e interested in sampling fine wine and cuisine; enjoy dancing; or are in need of a good laugh, this event has something for everyone.鈥�

Conceived, planned, and managed by the college’s Event Management, Hospitality Management, and Restaurant & Foodservice Management majors; students are involved in every aspect of the event’s production, from marketing and guest services to decor and catering.

“Cab & Cab is the perfect final exam for our students,” said Suzan Bunn, an Event Management instructor at 麻豆原创’s Rosen College. “By tasking our students to plan and produce a live event, they get to apply their classroom education to a real-world setting to create and manage something tangible.”

The all student-produced benefit will be held at the beautiful, Mediterranean resort-style campus of 麻豆原创’s Rosen College, located in Orlando at 9907 Universal Blvd., beginning at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets for Cabaret & Cabernet are available now at 聽for $65, plus tax, which includes admission, parking, food and wine. Proceeds will support educational programs at 麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To be an event sponsor, please contact Suzan Bunn at suzan.bunn@ucf.edu or (407) 903-8212

Cabaret & Cabernet鈥檚 current sponsors are: Bennett & Co., Cabot Cheese, Driscoll鈥檚 Berries, Edlen Electrical, Freeman, Max King Events, Orange County Convention Center/SmartCity, PSAV Presentation Services, Rosen Shingle Creek, Riot Creative Imaging, Shepard Exposition Services, Universal Orlando, 麻豆原创 Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Visit Orlando, and Walt Disney World.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 Cab & Cab is going to be focused on three American cities with rich cultures in the 1920’s,鈥� said Brianna Hartigan, a Rosen College senior graduating this May with a double major in Event Management and Hospitality Management. 鈥淲e are taking guests to the heart of this era and are immersing them in that setting. It will be an interactive experience for our guests, as they will not only be observing the atmosphere, but actually feel as though they are at an exclusive 1920鈥檚 party in each of these cities.鈥�

Under the guidance of Instructor Suzan Bunn, students will transform the Rosen College campus into an unforgettable evening of food, wine and live Broadway-inspired performances.

Bunn鈥檚 Event Management II class is responsible for organizing and producing the event, while the culinary efforts will be provided by Chef Renee Bence and Chef Jay Judy鈥檚 Food Preparation for Catered Events class. The event鈥檚 entertainment will also showcase musical and vocal talent from throughout the 麻豆原创 community.

Tickets to Cab & Cab are now on sale for $65, which includes event admission, parking, food, wine and entertainment. Proceeds will support the Rosen College Event Department. A limited amount of tickets will be sold, so secure your tickets today at .

The 麻豆原创 Rosen College of Hospitality Management is located at 9907 Universal Blvd. in Orlando, FL.

For more event information, e-mail cabcab.ucf@gmail.com.

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, 鈥淭his year鈥檚 proceeds will be used to update technology and equipment for the Bachelor of Science in Event Management program.鈥�

Bunn鈥檚 students developed the theme, planned menus, hired entertainment, secured sponsors, created collateral, handled logistics and promoted the event.聽 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.聽 The event captured the progression of cabaret alongside a robust menu highlighting classic and contemporary trends in fine wine and cuisine.

Cabaret & Cabernet was 鈥渒icked off鈥� by can-can dancers from the Columbus Center Dance Academy and a welcome from Rosen College Dean Abraham Pizam.聽 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.聽 The Courtyard Caf茅 was transformed into a speakeasy with smooth tunes by Dave Worker and Kristina Simmons.聽 The Disney Dining Room featured the musical talents and humor of performers from Baby Grands Dueling Piano Bar.聽 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.聽 Simmons sang, 鈥淐abaret鈥� from the courtyard balcony, and each attendee left with a souvenir wine glass, stopper and lanyard.

Save the date for the third annual聽Cabaret & Cabernet on Saturday, April 21, 2012. Visit for updates.聽 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 鈥榥 Stuff Catering, Seasons 52,聽Shepherd Exposition Services and Walt Disney World Resort.