This month, Kostuch Media Limited's (KML) annual Top-30-Under-30 were announced that celebrates top young professionals of Canada's hospitality and foodservice industry.

This year's list of top young professionals featured four alumni from U of G's Gordon S. Lang School of Business & Economics, School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management. 

In this Q&A feature, Simon Benevides, TMGT '15 alum and National Sales Manager, Corporate Events for the MRG Group discusses how Lang/UofG helped his career launch, when he realized to pursue the industry and what he loves about it.

Find out more about the Top-30-Under-30 and previous winners here [1].

How has your education at the U of G helped you build your skills and experience to become a young leader in the HFTM industry?

UofG offered valuable opportunities for practical, hands-on experience through various channels, such as the HFTMSA (Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management Student Association), Hospitality and Tourism Case Competition, industry-focused case studies, and direct engagement with knowledgeable alumni. These experiences equipped me with a great foundation of knowledge and skills, enabling me to continue my learning journey and make a meaningful and positive contribution to the hospitality industry post-graduation.

When did you realize the hospitality and tourism industry is something you wanted to pursue?

I began working at the age of 14 by joining Rosewood Bermuda, where I had the opportunity to assume various roles and grow within the organization. Building upon this early experience, I pursued a degree in Tourism at UofG.

What is it about working in the hospitality industry that you love? 

Fostering strong client relationships and, above all, crafting exceptional and unforgettable experiences for both my clients and their guests.

What drew you to the industry?

As someone who grew up in Bermuda with both parents involved in the industry, I was naturally inclined to follow in their footsteps. It was the idea of meeting new people, learning different cultures and creating lifelong memories for guests. 

Learn more [2] about the School of Hospitality, Food & Tourism Management at the University of Guelph.