How MESA Got Started
Erin Mun
Past President
Starting up MESA was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding projects I have taken on. I didn't really know where and how to start a student organization, and without the help and support from our passionate board of directors and the faculties, I wouldn't have been able to do it. After countless months of strategic planning, MESA was officially launched in Fall of '05, as the third student association in the HTM program.
Within our first year, we've accomplished more than we have ever imagined. We had a goal of having 1 onsite meeting and 1 off site meeting: and by the end of the year, we had more than a dozen meetings and events such as: site visit to Pacific Event Production & Tower 23, Speed Meet, La Jolla Playhouse, Internship Appreciation Luncheon, Job Fair and much more.
MESA's purpose is to get you experience in the industry and to network with your future employer and/or client. We want all of our students to graduate with not one, but at least two job offers, and MESA is here to help you get connected in the industry, and to grow professionally and personally; so please, TAKE advantage of us.
MESA's next goal is to take it to another university and make it into a national association. So stay tuned.
MPI World Education Congress 2006
with Mark Andrew
2006-07 President of MPI International
HTM Job Fair & Career Expo 2006
HTM Job Fair & Career Expo 2006
HTM Bowling at Aztec Center
MESA's Board Members
Debbrial Taylor
President
Being involved in MESA has given me the opportunity to experience and plan a variety of meetings and events. It has also allowed me to develop my networking, communication, and leadership skills. Through volunteering for MESA I have enhanced my education of meetings and events beyond the classroom and received my 498 internship at San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau in the Tradeshow & Events department. Because of MESA I have also been involved in MPI (Meeting Professionals International) were I acquired my current job as a Corporate Meeting & Event Coordinator with Professional Event Solutions.
I believe my involvement in MESA has significantly increased my education and personal development while providing career opportunities through volunteering and networking with industry professionals. This semester the MESA Board will be working to increase these opportunities for all our members. For these reasons I encourage you to get involved in MESA by joining a planning committee and attending MESA's meetings and events.
Brianne (Bri) Bulatao
Vice President
I joined MESA one year ago when it first started. Ever since then it has been an amazing door opener for me. I entered the HTM program as a low involved student who went to class and then went home. After joining MESA I got more involved, started participating, and helping organize different events. Through more involvement and being around the HTM office more I was able to become better acquainted with Brian and Carl along with all of my fellow peers in the HTM program.
The biggest door opener that MESA has opened for me was, giving me the
opportunity to run the Hospitality Job Fair and Career Expo which was help
on April 19th 2006. It was the first time that I had ever been in a
leadership position and planned a large scale event. It was a huge success
and I could not of been happier with the hard work and achievements that the
Job Fair committee made. MESA not only allows you to get involved but it
helps you understand what the event world is like by allowing you to get
into the action with your own two hands. With out MESA I would not have
the knowledge or the experience that I do in the events industry. MESA is
an organization that is based on helping individuals grow and that is
exactly what it did for me.
Katie Webb
Secretary
Before getting involved with MESA, I was just another face in the hospitality and tourism department. Since then, I have experienced so many events within the industry, while also making a lot of great friends. MESA has given me a chance to get my foot in the door in so many ways and will forever be a part of my success in the future.
Tyler Shanahan
Treasurer
MESA has given me such a great opportunity to experience meeting and events from a insider point of view. It has allowed me to get to know people in the industry and establish contacts with them, most of whom I will be working with in the future. If you are interested in meetings and events as an emphasis you would be doing yourself a disservice not to join.
Sarah Palais
Semester Event Coordinator
Alert
Navarro
MESA Volunteer Coordinator
Cherise Wilson
Rachel Kirsch
MESA Representative MESA Representative