On Friday, November 13th, 2026, the Entrepreneur Innovation Center (EIC) of Framingham State University will host a hospitality innovation gathering and event at the Warren Conference Center and Inn, which is owned by Framingham State University, in Ashland, MA. Tourism is an important driver of economic development in the Greater Boston area, including the MetroWest region.  

Registration is free but required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-hospitality-journey-tickets-2003512029413

Dubbed “The Hospitality Journey”, the event centers around the ideas, innovations, and opportunities in the hospitality and tourism industries. Behind every hospitality business is a story of ideas, risks, challenges, and growth. Participants will hear from industry leaders and entrepreneurs as they share the experiences that shaped their journeys, the lessons they learned along the way, and what it really takes to build a path in the world of hospitality.

“Hospitality has always been an entrepreneur’s industry. Every hotel, restaurant and travel business starts with someone willing to take a risk on an idea and build a team around it,” said Dr. John Palabiyik, Chair of the Department of Management and Business & IT and Coordinator of the Hospitality & Tourism Management program at Framingham State University. “But what turns an idea into a lasting business is a hospitality mindset: genuine care for guests, for employees and for the community. Having spent much of my career opening hotels, restaurants, and travel, I know how much students gain from hearing those stories firsthand, and this summit gives them direct access to the people shaping the future of hospitality in Greater Boston.”

“Following the first Food Entrepreneurship Summit in the Fall of 2025, the EIC decided this Fall of 2026 to widen the remit of the summit to include the wider hospitality industry” remarked Michael Clouser, Director of the EIC.  “Themes including marketing, finance, branding, human resources, innovation, creativity and the future of the hospitality industry will be explored at the gathering”. 

Industry speakers and panelists include the following:

• Sam Hendler, Founder and Owner, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers
• Camila Hennessey, Business Analyst and Researcher, Massachusetts Restaurant Association
• Preston Puelo, Advisor, Hospitality, Cushman and Wakefield
• Gardy Desroleaux, Founder and Managing Partner, Craft Food Halls
• Raiza Y. Fonseca, Researcher and Analyst, Encore Global
• Michele Grosso, Managing Director, The Langham Boston
• Stacey David, Executive Director, MetroWest Visitors Bureau
• Michael Clouser, Director of the Entrepreneur Innovation Center
• Amy Peterson, GM, DCU Center / Legends
• Joe Tagliante, Founder, Hotelier, Franchisee and Financier, Tage Capital and Sellside Group
• Leora Halpern Lanz, ISHC, Author and Professor of the Practice, Boston University School of Hotel Administration

Leora Halpern Lanz authored two recently published books on marketing including Developing Your Marketing Mindset: Real World Lessons from Hospitality (2025). She will engage in a fireside chat with the Senior Intern of the EIC, Paulina Guerra Pazmino, herself a marketing major in the College of Business at Framingham State University.  This is a student-led event that is very much organized by students of FSU. Student volunteers will gain event experience themselves both before and during this hospitality summit.

Sessions including panels, fireside chats, and presentations begin at 9:00 am and end at 5:00 pm. A reception will follow from 5:00pm to 7:00 pm, giving participants an opportunity to connect with others. Attendees may drop in at any time that suits them. The event is free and open to the public, anyone interested in hospitality, which is considered to span hotels, restaurants, tourism-oriented business, and related service organizations. Students, faculty members, professionals, and others interested in hospitality are invited to come along during the day and evening happenings.

Collaborating with the EIC are the Hospitality and Tourism Management program in the Department of Management and Business & IT, College of Business, and the Warren Conference Center and Inn.

See more here on the EIC event website: https://innovation-fsu.org/the-hospitality-journey/