Eight teams of hospitality management and event majors in their first Marketing for Hospitality & Tourism course spent the last several months developing 10-point marketing plans for the new entertainment complex, slated to open in Spring 2015. In addition to the highly anticipated Orlando Eye observation wheel, I-Drive 360 will feature wax museum and aquarium, as well as a variety of shops and restaurants, some of which will be the first in the region.

John Stine, director of marketing and sales for I-Drive 360, partnered with Rosen College to bring this student project to life in a way that no classroom case study ever could. Course instructor Gary Swanson and Stine previously worked for Universal Orlando Resort and are both members of , the preeminent organization for travel and tourism leaders worldwide. Sk氓l also offers Rosen College students the opportunity to benefit from membership through Young Sk氓l, specifically targeted to students and young professionals.

Swanson and Stine devised a hands-on learning experience that literally brought students into the developing world of I-Drive 360. On September 4, Stine delivered a comprehensive presentation to get the students up to speed on the attraction鈥檚 progress. On September 18, he led the group on an exclusive early morning hard hat tour of the construction site. In addition, students were able to conduct individual interviews with Stine and his colleagues for research purposes as well as visit local hotel concierge desks to discover how attractions like I-Drive 360 can best partner for mutual benefit.

Starting this week, each team will present their I-Drive 360 marketing plan to Stine and his key associates, who will choose the winners. The first, second and third place teams will receive complimentary admission to the attractions. The students鈥� ideas may also be implemented in future I-Drive 360 marketing initiatives.

Although he鈥檚 focused on providing a rewarding learning experience for the class, Stine believes this project will be as educational for him as for the students.

鈥淚鈥檓 looking forward to new objectives, strategies and tactics the class may identify to help with the launch and sustainment of I-Drive 360,鈥� said Stine. 鈥淭hrough this project, I hope the students gain an appreciation and understanding for what鈥檚 involved in launching and positioning a new attraction in the most popular and competitive destination on the world.鈥�

For more information about hospitality management education at Rosen College, please visit .

For more information about Sk氓l International or Young Sk氓l, please visit .

鈥淵oung Sk氓l is a membership category of Sk氓l International specifically for students and young professionals directly related to travel and tourism,鈥� said Dr. Wilfried Iskat, Associate Professor at Rosen College and Sk氓l International member. 鈥淏y participating in this program, our students will be mentored by senior-level industry professionals, introduced to various businesses, partake in industry events, and network with Sk氓l members from around the world.鈥�

Sk氓l International鈥檚 Orlando chapter recently held a dinner meeting at the Rosen College campus to welcome Jed Miciak, Beatriz Alvarez, David Woodstein, Megan Joyce, Nicole Cutrufo and Aaron Rask as its newest members of the Young Sk氓l program. All six Rosen College Students will receive guidance from local Sk氓l members, attend monthly meetings, and participate in local networking events.

鈥淎fter our students graduate from the Young Sk氓l program, they automatically become active members of Sk氓l鈥檚 vast global network,鈥� said Dr. Iskat. 鈥淭his is an exceptional program to be associated with, and I鈥檓 excited to see how our students benefit from it.鈥�

麻豆原创鈥檚 Rosen College of Hospitality Management is the only academic institution in the region involved in the Young Sk氓l program. Presently there are only 339 Young Sk氓l members worldwide, including just 36 in the U.S.

For more information about Sk氓l International or Young Sk氓l, please visit .