Six hospitality management students, accompanied by Program Director Joe Tormey, attended the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show on May 17-20, the foodservice industry’s most influential event. The show brought together more than 53,000 foodservice professionals at McCormick Place in Chicago and delivered hands-on access to the products, education and connections driving the industry forward.

This year’s themes focused on technology, social media and sustainability, and 700 international exhibitors from 44 countries offered global perspectives on innovation and sourcing. Students had the opportunity to interact with vendors and business operators from across the country and internationally.

“If you're considering starting a business in the restaurant industry but are unsure where to begin, this show will provide the clarity and guidance you need,” said Marco Diaz, a sophomore in the hospitality management program.

Sophomore Sun Tech Do said, “What impressed me the most overall was the number of career paths within the hospitality industry. I was able to speak with many people from different backgrounds from different places, and they all have one thing in common – they truly love what they do.”

The educational trip was funded by a CSUSB Instructionally Related Activities grant.

About the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus: The CSUSB Palm Desert Campus is dedicated to providing a transformative educational experience in the Coachella Valley. With a focus on academic excellence and community engagement, the campus offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to meet the diverse needs of its students and the region.

For more information about the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, contact Mike Singer in the Office of Marketing and Communications at msinger@csusb.edu or (760) 341-2883, ext. 78107, or visit the PDC website at www.csusb.edu/pdc.