The Gina and Frank Day Leadership Academy (DLA) was founded on a commitment to strengthening the hospitality industry through education, leadership, and community impact. Inspired by the legacy of Frank and his wife Gina Day whose dedication to hospitality, mentorship, and service shaped countless careers the academy was created to carry forward their vision of investing in people and building a stronger industry.
Rooted in the School of Hospitality at MSU Denver, DLA connects higher education with real-world industry experience to create accessible, meaningful learning opportunities. What began as a vision to support hospitality professionals has grown into a dynamic platform for leadership development, workforce training, and industry collaboration across Colorado.
Today, DLA serves professionals, emerging leaders, and business owners by providing practical education, fostering connections, and creating pathways for growth within the hospitality community.
The Day Leadership Academy (DLA) supports the growth of Colorado’s hospitality community by delivering accessible, industry-relevant education and resources for professionals, emerging leaders, and business owners.
Through partnerships with industry and higher education, DLA creates initiatives that build skills, strengthen connections, and drive meaningful impact in the communities they serve.
To be the first place hospitality professionals and businesses turn for education and solutions that advance careers and business growth.
Community Centered
We strengthen the hospitality community—and the broader community it serves—by fostering connection, collaboration, and shared growth.
Accessible
Our education, resources, and support are affordable, flexible, and designed for working professionals and business leaders at every stage.
Industry Relevant
We deliver practical, relevant learning experiences and resources that provide clear value to individuals, organizations, and the hospitality industry.
Impactful
We focus on creating lasting, measurable impact for people, businesses, and the hospitality community.
Innovative
We combine faculty expertise with industry partnerships to deliver forward-focused content and experiences.
Stewards of the Day Vision
We act as responsible caretakers of Gina and Frank Day’s vision by honoring the values and purpose that founded the Day Leadership Academy.
We design flexible, real-world training experiences that help teams grow, lead, and perform at a higher level.
Stay compliant and protect your business with Colorado state-approved Alcohol Beverage Training for today’s hospitality industry. Designed for owners, managers, bartenders, servers, and staff, this training covers responsible alcohol service and current Colorado regulations.
Participants learn how to verify IDs, recognize intoxication, handle difficult situations, reduce risk, and protect the guest experience.
Led by certified trainer Andrew Seidenstat, sessions are practical, engaging, and built for real-world hospitality environments.
Contact us at [email protected] for more information.
This course will introduce participants to core AI concepts and will explore their practical applications across lodging, food and beverage, travel, and event sectors. Through engaging case studies and real-world examples, students will analyze how AI enables personalized guest experiences and supports data-informed decision-making.
This course equips working restaurant professionals with practical, evidence-based techniques to diagnose and improve menu profitability. It is aimed at current and aspiring restaurant operators, food-and-beverage managers, chefs, and analysts who need practical, spreadsheet-based tools to improve menu profitability across on-premises and off-premises channels.
This course empowers hospitality professionals to discover and communicate their organization’s unique story. Through real-world examples, interactive exercises, and applied projects, participants will learn how to design and market authentic brand stories that attract guests, build loyalty, and set their business apart in a crowded marketplace.
On June 17, 2026, the Day Leadership Academy welcomed nearly 60 hospitality professionals to Prost Brewing Company for an evening of networking, conversation, and community building. Attendees represented more than 30 companies and organizations across over 20 hospitality-related sectors, including hotels, restaurants and bars, technology, real estate, nonprofits, vacation rentals, and the City of Denver.
The evening sparked new partnerships, business opportunities, career connections, and meaningful conversations among professionals from across Colorado’s hospitality community. We are grateful to Jacob and Sara, from the Prost Brewing Company team for hosting the event and demonstrating exceptional hospitality.
Our next Hospitality Connections gathering will take place on September 9, 2026 at Woods Boss Brewing.
Join us for another opportunity to connect with hospitality professionals, build relationships, and strengthen our industry community.
To get involved or inquire about hosting an upcoming Hospitality Connections event, please contact Eric Boyle at [email protected].
5pm-8pm
September 9th @ Woods Boss Brewing
DLA Hospitality Connections Fall Event
Located in the Hospitality Learning Center (HLC)
Address: 1190B Auraria Parkway Room 209
Email Us Today For More Information
School of Hospitality
PO Box 173362
Campus Box 60
Denver, CO 80217-3362
We’d love to answer your questions — reach out anytime!
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.msudenver.edu/dla
We aim to respond within 24 business hours!
Office hours:
Monday–Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM
Support front desk, housekeeping, and guest services operations.
Support kitchen operations by maintaining clean dishware and cookware.
Lead housekeeping teams and maintain exceptional cleanliness standards.
