The 2024 Experience Industry Management (EIM) Auction and Dinner Celebration, presented by Avenue Twelve, was a huge success. Hosted at the Swanson Center of Effort Conference Hall in Cal Poly’s JUSTIN and J.LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture, attendees truly “Experienced the Excellence” of the department throughout the evening. With the mentorship of EIM alumna Brooke Campbell, owner of Brooke Nicole Events, and the student auction fundraising committee, a memorable event defined by elegance and excellence was shared by all.
“As a first-year EIM major, getting this much hands-on experience so early in my academic career was amazing,” said Ava Grant, who served on the auction celebration committee. “I was nervous to join the committee since I was still new to Cal Poly, but now I am thrilled that I have learned so much about event planning from the ground up.”
The evening commenced with a VIP cocktail hour and champagne toast, followed by tray-passed appetizers from caterer Old SLO BBQ. Guests mingled, exploring photo walls highlighting two impressive student-run EIM events – Timbre: A Taste of Music and Lunar New Year: Palm Street Block Party. Guests also enjoyed petting Great Pyrenees puppies, courtesy of the Marshall Family, and drinks at the bar. Around the room, attendees perused photo frames showcasing 26 silent auction packages and placed bids on their favorites. Professor Brian Greenwood, event auctioneer for evening, led the live auction portion of the evening with great success. Bidding and the donations that followed during the fund-in-need portion of the event significantly contributed to the overall success of the event.
“Being on this committee and having the opportunity to conduct outreach with industry partners and alumni of our department for the auction was a rewarding experience that was incomparable,” said 2024 Auction Committee Lead Nicole Douglas. “The whole student team worked so hard to create this experience, and we couldn't have done it without our wonderful faculty advisor Jenn Prentice, as well as the support from all EIM faculty and staff. I am already looking forward to next year’s event.”
This year’s event was the most financially successful department fundraiser to date with more than $75,000 raised. Funds raised at the EIM Auction Celebration directly support student learning through field trips, research, conference travel and other Learn by Doing opportunities. We hope to see everyone back again next year for another exceptional evening.
As an ancillary event to the Experience Industry Management (EIM) Department’s Auction and Dinner Celebration, the department collaborated with both the Wine and Viticulture Department and the Cal Poly Creamery to host: A Journey Through the Wines and Cheeses of the Central Coast.
Held at the JUSTIN and J. LOHR Center for Wine and Viticulture, guests were led through a sensory wine and cheese pairing experience, showcasing wines and cheese from Cal Poly and local producers. With the added element of the E-4 wristbands and eye trackers, Cal Poly's Learn by Doing motto was at the forefront of the event.
Ella Ganter, fourth-year wine and viticulture major, reached out to Lecturer Jenn Prentice hoping to get involved with the department’s Auction and Dinner Celebration. Prentice then asked if Ganter would be interested in leading the planning for this collaborative event and Ganter instantly jumped on board and enjoyed every second of it.
The event was centered on a guided wine and cheese pairing showcasing Cal Poly and Central Coast wine and cheeses. Professor Miguel Pedroza and Carmen Licon-Cano, director of Cal Poly’s Dairy Products Technology Center, started the experience by introducing wine and cheese tasting principles and taught guests how to evaluate wines and cheeses based on qualities like appearance, texture and smell. This laid the groundwork for participants to understand how to verbalize what they were experiencing during the tasting. Pedroza and Licon-Cano introduced one pairing at a time, highlighting the type of cheese and wine, the producer, the style of wine and cheese making and the typical aromatic and visual qualities that traditionally come from these varieties. Afterward, each participant tasted the pairing in their assigned order and took note of the dominance and pleasantness in the pairing. Guests then shared their thoughts and experiences with the table, provoking fun and thoughtful conversation. Two participants were wearing the E-4 wristbands and eye trackers throughout the entirety of the event.
The E-4 wristbands and eye trackers tied together the educational element of the event, highlighting the technology used by students. Two participants wore eye trackers and E-4 wristbands, with research assistants monitoring each participant. The E4 wristbands tracked guests' physiological changes including heart rate and skin temperature and the eye trackers were able to track guest's every movement. The research assistants were able to take the data from both pieces of technology and make inferences about the participant’s personal pairing preferences and reactions.
Events such as A Journey Through the Wines and Cheeses of the Central Coast, allow students to get involved and grow their experience in their respective industries. Opportunities such as this, allow students, like Ganter, to learn how to collaborate with large groups, network and create relationships with valued community members and find a passion to continue exploring. Cal Poly students are extremely fortunate to have hands-on experiences and the ability to get involved in projects like this allows students to showcase their hard work and dedication.
This year, our faculty was honored to receive two inaugural Learn by Doing Good Awards. These awards are given to highlight specific achievements in service and leadership and are selected on the basis of nominations by a panel of faculty, staff and students. This year they had 54 nominations for awards and EIM received two out of the 12 awards given.
The first award was Service-Learning Faculty Team: Amber Karson & Jennifer Prentice and their collaboration with the City of San Luis Obispo on the Lunar New Year Celebration and the second was Outstanding Campus-Community Collaboration: Experience Industry Management and Special Olympics.
“The entire EIM department is so proud of their relationship and collaboration with Special Olympics over the years,” said Professor Marni Goldenberg. “We have many community partners and we value each of these relationships to create true Learn by Doing experiences for our students.
Thank you, Special Olympics, for providing opportunities for us to grow, learn and apply our classroom learnings.”
From Cal Poly to Hope Family Wines
Whitney Hrdlicka (Recreation Administration, ’02) grew up in Corcoran, California, but moved to Sydney, Australia when she was 13 years old. Currently, Hrdlicka works as the director of marketing at Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles. She initially joined the Experience Industry Management’s advisory council as a recent graduate of the program.
Hrdlicka didn’t actually choose her major, her parents did. “I returned from Australia to finish my senior year and really wasn't familiar with the opportunities available in U.S. colleges,” she said. “Both of my parents went to Cal Poly and had a much better understanding of how higher education worked so they advised me to apply for the recreation program. They obviously knew me better than I knew myself at that time. I loved being in it.”
Her favorite moment in the industry was sponsoring the Austin City Limits Music Festival. “I love music and wine and when I have the opportunity to combine the two through work, it is so exciting,” she said. Hrdlicka’s biggest piece of advice that she would like to share with students wishing to enter the industry is to get involved, show up and be engaged. She emphasizes that opportunities are everywhere, but you have to get out there and meet people.
The Special Scoop!
What are you most excited about in terms of industry trends?
I think people finally understand the impact and importance events and experiences have on our wellbeing and happiness.
What is something that always makes you smile?
People laughing.
What do you appreciate the most about the experience industry?
The diversity of how we impact lives.
Four Cal Poly students, including two from the Experience Industry Management Department, attended the Western Regional Association for Experiential Education’s 2024 convergence, connecting with students from other universities and professionals in the field. The experience provided opportunities for personal and professional learning and growth.
The Western Regional Association for Experiential Education hosted its 2024 convergence in Mill Valley, California. It's noteworthy that they refer to the event as a "convergence" rather than a "conference." This subtle distinction created a significantly different atmosphere. Unlike typical formal professional events, the convergence was more like a gathering and there was no clear divide between presenters and attendees; instead, everyone was encouraged to contribute. The event employed an open space model, inviting participants to propose topics they were passionate about teaching or learning. These ideas were then organized into a unique agenda, ensuring that everyone could both contribute to and benefit from the experience in a meaningful way. Four students from varying departments attended the event: Mia James (Sociology), Megan Spegar (Anthropology and Geography), Ander Munson Clark (EIM) and Diana Salazar (EIM).
“As a first-year student, this was the first conference I have ever attended with Cal Poly,” said Diana Salazar. “This was an incredibly collaborative experience that made the breakout sessions we attended feel incredibly inviting and accessible to students. I was able to see so many different facets of the experience industry and now feel ready to take the next steps in my education and career. After this experience, I feel ready to pursue an individualized course of study which will combine my passion for outdoor recreation and facilitation of group events.”
