Seven Kellogg Community College students this month became Certified Tourism Ambassadors for Calhoun County as part of their studies toward earning KCC’s new Sports Management degree.
The CTA certification program was offered through the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau as part of the KCC class PEP 222: Introduction to Sports Management, running this fall as one of the first classes leading up to the College’s new Associate of Applied Science in Sports Managements degree.
Physical Education Coordinator Eierí Jordán-Salivia said the certification will help students solidify the connection between local tourism and the sports industry, an important consideration in the field of sports management.
“Sports tourism is a big segment of the sport industry because of the economic impact it causes,” Jordán-Salivia said. “Through tourism, sports in our county can leverage their value by providing permanent and seasonal jobs, helping the positive cash flow of our community, attracting investments to the area, improving quality of life for residents and visitors, and above all, inspiring local entrepreneurship.”
As part of the CTA training, students engaged with the history, culture and potential of the areas surrounding Albion, Battle Creek and Marshall, envisioning the growth of the sport industry in these locations and learning how to provide visitors a positive experience. Students were instructed in their training by CCVB Visitor Services Specialist Stacy Laur.
CCVB CEO Linda Freybler said the CCVB partnership with KCC’s Sports Management students is mutually beneficial.
“The partnership allows students to learn more about the industry and their community, and we gain new ambassadors for our community and some potential future candidates for tourism jobs,” Freybler said.
As Certified Tourism Ambassadors in Calhoun County, students will have access to exclusive resources and networking events and other opportunities, including the potential for career advancement in their future careers.
Sports Management student and KCC baseball player Parker Wilson, of Vicksburg, said the training taught him a lot about what Battle Creek has to offer. The certification “is going to help me get a jumpstart with what I want to do with my career,” Wilson said.
“When people visiting Battle Creek ask me questions, they will take me more seriously with tourism advice,” Wilson said. “And it will help me professionally by meeting new people at networking events.”
The CCVB launched its CTA program in 2017 and is one of just five CTA destinations in the state of Michigan. Certification requirements include required reading, attendance at a half-day classroom session dedicated to CTA training materials, and the completion of various learning assessments and a final exam.
For more information, visit battlecreekvisitors.org/cta.
Pictured in the above photo, in the back row from left to right, are Kellogg Community College Physical Education Coordinator and professor Eierí Jordán-Salivia and student Gavin Kempainen. In the middle row, from left to right, are student Kazuki Kamiya, Calhoun County Visitors Bureau Visitor Services Specialist and CTA instructor Stacy Laur and students Alexis Lindstrom and Carter Woody. In the front row, from left to right, are students Kyle Winslow, Wendell White and Parker Wilson.
About the Calhoun County Visitors Bureau
The Calhoun County Visitors Bureau was formed in 1979. The mission is to enhance the local economy through tourism – to position and sell our community, in partnership with public and private sectors, as a premier destination for competitive sporting events, conventions, tradeshows, corporate meetings, group tours and individual leisure travel. The CVB generates increased visitor spending, local tax receipts and job development. For more information, visit battlecreekvisitors.org. To sign up for a CTA class, email Stacy Laur at stacy@battlecreekvisitors.org.
About Physical Education at KCC
Kellogg Community College this fall launched two 60-credit Physical Education Associate of Applied Science degree programs, including degrees in Exercise Science and Sports Management. Each degree path is designed to be completed on a two-year timeline for career entry or transfer to a four-year institution to continue toward a bachelor’s degree in a similar field.
For more information about KCC’s new Exercise Science degree, visit kellogg.edu/exercisescience. For more information about KCC’s new Sports Management degree, visit kellogg.edu/sportsmanagement.
For more news about Kellogg Community College, view our latest press releases online at https://daily.kellogg.edu/category/news-releases.