Explore areas of concentration. The hospitality industry contains many segments, each with their own special needs. The hospitality industry includes lodging, foodservice and transportation. Many hotel management schools will focus on lodging, but that still includes such diverse segments as hotels, beds and breakfasts, resorts, vacation ownership, gaming and spas. Evaluate which of those segments are represented in your geographic area. If casinos and gambling are illegal in your state, offering a gaming concentration would make little sense. On the other hand, if you are near a tourist destination rich in resorts, a concentration in resort development and management might make sense.
Recruit faculty. Attend conferences such as the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management (CHRIE) where you can meet dedicated hotel management faculty members and get recommendations. Recruit people with a diversity of backgrounds. Your school will need an expert in financial management, in human resources, in investments and in operations at a minimum. You will also need faculty with experience in the hospitality industry.
Establish industry partnerships. Reach out to lodging managers in your region. These are people who can act as adjunct instructors, provide internships, give guest lectures and assist with research and classroom activities. Find out what their needs are. What skills and knowledge do they want to see graduating seniors possess? Your industry partners can play key roles in making sure your hotel management school is relevant and able to launch graduates into careers.
Create degree requirements and list prerequisites. Form a committee with representatives from your faculty and industry partners. Review requirements that other hotel management schools have. Compare other programs within your institution. Start by determining what outcomes you want for your program and then develop the lists of what courses will be needed to achieve those outcomes.
Create a course list and catalog. Ask each faculty member to submit course proposals that include a class description. Create a schedule for those courses that allow students to get the prerequisites they need in the order required. You will have to submit catalog information for the general college or university. Develop an individual course catalog for your hotel management school. This becomes an important marketing piece and a useful tool for your students.
Recruit students. Market your hotel management school to students. Join or partner with hotel associations who offer scholarships such as the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. Contact your state's hotel association. They may be able to identify which high schools have lodging management programs. If the school offers a two- or three-year program, consider setting up matriculation agreements with the high school as a way of recruiting the students who have already shown an interest in hotel management.