Hospitality and Tourism Youth Summit

Discover real-world careers that power Kittitas County’s visitor economy. The Hospitality & Tourism Youth Summit connects high school juniors and seniors from across Kittitas County and Central Washington University students with hotels, restaurants, event venues, attractions, and tourism organizations for a hands-on morning of learning, demos, and networking.

What to Expect

Interactive Skill Stations & Demos: Event planning, culinary arts, customer service, lodging operations, recreation and outdoor guiding, and digital marketing for tourism.
Career Pathway Panels: Hear from hoteliers, chefs, restaurant managers, destination marketers, event planners, outdoor recreation leaders, and hospitality entrepreneurs.
Workforce Readiness: Learn about seasonal jobs, internships, and apprenticeships; résumé building tips; and strategies to stand out when applying.
Local Business Expo: Meet employers and organizations that drive the regional tourism economy—from lodging and dining to events and attractions.

Who Should Attend

• Kittitas County high school juniors and seniors exploring hospitality, tourism, business, culinary arts, event planning, recreation, or marketing.
• CWU students in related programs such as business, marketing, event management, recreation/tourism, culinary, and communication.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify multiple career paths in hospitality and tourism (culinary, lodging, events, destination marketing, recreation, guest services, entrepreneurship).
• Understand local education and training routes (CTE, certificates, apprenticeships, CWU programs).
• Make direct connections with employers for internships, job shadows, and seasonal employment.
• Experience hands-on skills relevant to Kittitas County’s thriving tourism and hospitality industry.