Hospitality Veteran To Lead Hands-On Cultural Awareness Seminar

Denver, Colo. – January 14, 2011 - On Thursday, January 20 at 7pm in the Denver Campus’ Dick Saunders Dining Room, Gerry Fernandez ’86, ’98 Hon., founder and president of the Multicultural Foodservice and Hospitality Alliance (MFHA), will lead an interactive and hands-on seminar on cultural awareness.

Through business scenarios and dialogue, this hands-on seminar will emphasize the importance of cultural competencies to improve business results.

Fernandez created the MFHA to educate, advocate and connect its members with opportunities to grow their businesses and to build their cultural intelligence so they can effectively engage in a multicultural marketplace in the food and hospitality industry.

As a nonprofit, the MFHA works to promote the business benefits of diversity and inclusion while helping its members attract, develop and retain multicultural talent.

Fernandez is an active member of the Women’s Foodservice Forum, the American Culinary Federation, The American Society of Association Executives, and a founding member of the Research Chefs Association. He is also a life member of the NAACP, a member of The Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Association, the National Council of La Raza, and the National Association of Black Meeting Planners.

Some of his accolades include: one of Nation’s Restaurant News' “50 Power Players” and 2007 News Innovator Award for founding MFHA and the APEX Award for Distinguished Service by Black Meetings & Tourism Magazine in 2008.

This event is not open to the public, but will be open to the press. Gerry Fernandez will be available for scheduled interviews prior to or following the lecture. To request an interview, contact Lindsay Morgan Tracy at 303-246-3789.