Ted Rogers School launches new Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management major

Members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community gathered this week to celebrate the official unveiling of the Ted Rogers School of Management’s updated Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (BComm (Hons)) major.

Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano (Provost and Vice-President, Academic), Ted Rogers School Dean Cynthia Holmes and Dr. Chris Gibbs (Chair, Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management) attended the event, held at the Ted Rogers School on September 24, alongside students, faculty, alumni, retired professors, and leaders from the hospitality, tourism and event management industries.

Building on a proud 75-year legacy as Canada’s first and largest university business program in the field, the Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management (THEM) major directly addresses the growing demand for skilled leaders in today’s experience-driven economy.

Following two years of research, student focus groups, survey data from over 1,300 business students and consultations with its Advisory Council, the program formally integrated event management directly into its degree name and core curriculum structure. Moving under the School of Business Management framework, the major pairs a shared first-year business foundation with specialized, industry-driven pathways in upper years.

Through the program, students will gain a solid foundation in core business discipline areas such as finance, marketing, strategy and human resources, while developing specialized expertise in experience design, sustainable tourism, venue operations and large-scale event management.

To highlight the school’s commitment to experiential learning, attendees at the launch event participated in interactive giant game activations led by student and faculty "Play Ambassadors," demonstrating how the program blends strategic business theory with hands-on practice.

"This evolution reflects both shifting industry demand and the career aspirations of our students," said Dr. Gibbs. "By combining a core business management foundation with specialized pathways in tourism, hospitality and events, our graduates step into the workforce with both strategic business acumen and specialized industry mastery."

The Ted Rogers School will begin accepting applications for the revised Business Management framework leading into the THEM major for future intake cycles, while current students continue on track in their existing Hospitality & Tourism Management degree pathway.

For more information, please visit the School of Business Management - Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management Major website.