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Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center

Preparing innovators and leaders
for the hospitality, events and tourism industry

A unique combination of a higher-education classroom building, a teaching laboratory, a commercial hotel– Springhill Suites by Marriott–and a conference center, the Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center (HLC) is the home to the School of Hospitality, Events and Tourism at MSU Denver. The HLC is the only such facility in Colorado.

Envisioning Change

In a unique public/private partnership, MSU Denver and Sage Hospitality have built an on-campus, full-service learning laboratory—the Hotel and Hospitality Learning Center. Located right on campus, the center includes:

  • A fully functioning, professionally managed hotel, the SpringHill Suites Denver Downtown by Marriott International
  • The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation Conference Center
  • Academic building and learning laboratory: 30,000 square feet of academic space | Light sensory analysis lab for wine, beer and spirits classes | 72-seat, student-run restaurant including five mixology stations | 4,000-bottle wine cellar management lab | High-tech food demonstration theater | Tourism lab | Events lab

‌Large wine rackStudents in the Hospitality, Events and Tourism program prepare for management and operational careers in this demanding industry.

Most of our students work in the industry already, combining their on-the-job experience with relevant classroom experience, assuring that they graduate with a personal and deep understanding of the industry, its demands and the importance of hard work.

“My education is giving me all the tools and experience I need to be a successful manager and hotelier.”

—Sam Bennani, Hotel and Restaurant Management


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