Hospitality management students experience China’s casino industry

For the first time, students in the Penn State School of Hospitality Management traveled to Macau, China, where they were immersed in the Asian casino and gaming industry.

Through the Asian Hospitality and Culture one-credit course, eight students toured Hong Kong in March, where they experienced Asian foods and other cultural aspects before traveling to Macau to see first-hand a region that generates more gaming revenue than the Las Vegas Strip.

Students toured Sands Cotai Central Hotel and Casino, Four Seasons Plaza Casino, Venetian Hotel and Casino, Sands Macau and MGM Macau. At the Venetian, students met with Grant Chum, senior vice president of global gaming strategy for the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. At MGM Macau, students met with Claus Pedersen, vice president of hotel operations; Graeme Croft, vice president of table games; and John Shigley, COO of Gaming at MGM China Holdings.

“Both the students and the faculty really gained an understanding of just the size and scope of the gaming industry in Macau,” said Mike Ahlgren, assistant teaching professor of gaming and casino management. “To actually see it and see the number of mega-resorts being constructed there, it almost takes your breath away. Plus, students better understand the opportunities that part of the world presents with respect to hospitality.”

The trip was so impactful that some students, including Bryan Newman, are considering career paths that go through Macau.

“This experience has been life-changing,” said Bryan Newman. “As a casino management student, it has really given me a perspective of what the industry is like in an environment outside of the United States. After this trip, I can truly say that I would be willing work in Macau if given the opportunity in the future.”

Jian Huang, a Chinese international student studying hospitality at Penn State, said the experience opened his eyes to new career opportunities within hospitality.

“At the beginning, my career goal was to join a hospitality consulting company in China,” Huang said. “However, during this trip we had a chance to see a lot of amazing casino properties and how they operate in Macau, so I just realized that pursuing goal in gaming industry is absolutely great as well in terms of salaries and work-life balance. I was kind of unsure what career goal to pursue, either one is great. I will definitely try both experience if I have the chance.”

Huang also assisted the Penn State group as translator and guide. To prepare, Huang researched Hong Kong for opportunities outside the typical tourist experience.

“I didn't want my peers to experience something that tourists would experience, but I wanted them to experience something what locals would do,” Huang said. “Sometimes I forced everybody to try some weird food and weird things, but I think they would have experienced much less fun things without me.”

In addition to learning about the hospitality industry, Huang said the American students learned how to adapt in a different country and culture.

“I think what they actually have learned is not really something that can be simply expressed by language.”

For example, Huang said, visiting the Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery and temples, students and faculty members were amazed by the religious component of the Asian culture.

Michael Leven, president and chief operating officer for Las Vegas Sands Corporation and 2014 Hospitality Executive of the Year for the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society, helped facilitate the students’ stay in Macau.

The Douglas Simon and Peter Regopoulos Travel Fund for International Study contributed $7,500 for travel costs.

In addition to Ahlgren, Marja Verbeteen, associate professor and head of international programs for hospitality management, and Hubert Van Hoof, professor of hospitality management, accompanied students on the trip.