About hospitaliy teaching and travel industry experience of Sonja Holverson. Questions from Dr. John Hogan of Hospitality Educators

1. Hospitality Conversations™ | International Exposure Expands the Pot...uccess in Hospitality Businesses and Academics | By Dr. John Hogan
SUBMIT YOUR NEWS CONTACT US
HOME
INDUSTRY NEWS
MARKET REPORTS
COLUMNS 12 August 2011
MOST POPULAR
STAFF MOVEMENTS
Hospitality Conversations™ | International Exposure Expands the
Potential of Success in Hospitality Businesses and Academics | By
ASSOCIATION UPDATE Dr. John Hogan
PHOTOS
PRODUCT FEATURES Many of our earlier Hospitality Conversations™ columns that
JOB OPPORTUNITIES have examined internships have been at major universities with
MARKETPLACE
traditional four year academic programs. Several of these
programs have international components that may include global
HOTELSCHOOLS
internships and/or students from around the globe.
INDUSTRY LINKS
INDUSTRY EVENTS This column takes a different approach and
BOOKSHELF includes feedback and observations from
HOSPITALITY NET 360
Sonja Holverson1 , Professeur en Marketing
ECOLE HOTELIERE DE LAUSANNE. Professor Holverson has
RSS FEED (XML)
an extensive career background in both academia and in the
business side of hospitality. She has an MBA from HEC
University of Lausanne, a diploma in Business Administration
SEARCH
from the Centre romand de promotion du management (CRPM),
and a BA from the University of Hawaii. Her two-decade long
GO
career in the hospitality and tourism industry includes sales and marketing positions
POWER SEARCH
in Hawaii, California and Switzerland in many different positions, including hotels,
restaurants, tour operators, travel agencies, incentive travel companies and cruise
COMMUNITY lines.
NEWSLETTER
REGISTER Professor Holverson's research and teaching experience includes giving executive
courses on hotel branding in China and presenting research on hotel branding and
UPDATE REGISTRATION
affiliations at conferences in Switzerland, the US and Dubai. She particularly enjoys
POST/SUBMIT CONTENT interactive classes where students are very involved by contributing innovative and
ADVERTISING productive ideas to well-structured discussions and projects.
INFORMATION CONTACT US
● Research interests:
● SME hotel strategies
● Lifestyle hotel strategies
● Strategic hotel branding and brand portfolio management
● Hotel off and on-line distribution
Professor Holverson's2 philosophy can be found on her website , " being a part of
enabling students to develop into strategic yet creative and ethical
professionals is very rewarding for me."
We combined this column with ourQuestions I Wish You Would Ask Me™ to get a
global perspective on travel, learning and hospitality.
1. Name your favorite hotel and why it is special to you
Beau Rivage Palace, Lausanne, Switzerland. Despite its ornate over-the top-
elegance, the staff is not formal nor arrogant and make all guests feel very
comfortable. It's a wonderful escape from the daily routine.
2. Name your favorite restaurant and why it is special to you
http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4052535.html (1 of 4) [15.09.2012 17:30:17]

2. Hospitality Conversations™ | International Exposure Expands the Pot...uccess in Hospitality Businesses and Academics | By Dr. John Hogan
La Poste, Grandvaux, Lavaux vineyards near Lausanne, Switzerland. Truly amazing
all glass 2-sided view from up the hill located in the vineyards overlooking Lake
Geneva and the French and Swiss Alps. Besides the view, the owners are always
most gracious to me and I have fond memories of family and friends who have
passed on as well as those still living with whom I shared special moments here.
3. Where do you vacation the most often?
Paris or Barcelona
4. What is your favorite charity or cause?
Alzheimers Association
5. Name your pet service peeve, why and any ideas you may have to
address it .
Not knowing the answer to my questions about a product and not offering to get the
information from someone else. Training in customer service would be a logical start
to correct this (although not all companies even do this) , but also it is important to
know how to share information within a company and how to access it.
6. Who was the most important mentor in your life and why?
My Father. He was courageous and taught me how to deal with difficult situations
and still remain calm and resourceful.
7. In the last five years, what has been your most memorable
meeting or convention experience and why?
Travelcom by the US Travel Association in Chicago 2008 when Henry Harteveldt
interviewed Richard Branson. It was most inspirational and motivating to know that
travel giants can also be ethical and authentic.
8. What is the one piece of advice you would offer to a graduating student with
a hospitality degree?
Remain flexible, be yourself, keep your joie de vivre and then you will be able to do
anything you like.
9. What is the one question do you wish someone would ask you in an
interview today?
Did you think 10 years ago that you would have accomplished all that you have
today?
We have asked dozens of people involved in hospitality businesses around
the world to answer up to nine questions in this special section of
HospitalityEducators.com. If you would like to participate, please contact John.
Hogan@HospitalityEducators.com
Feel free to share an idea for a column at info@hoganhospitality.com anytime or
contact me regarding consulting, customized workshops, speaking
engagements ... And remember - we all need a regular dose of common sense.
Success does not come by accident or chance.
Contact us for assistance John.Hogan@HospitalityEducators.com or 602-
799-5375HospitalityEducators.com was created to help hospitality businesses
address problems via a training and information resource site to help you increase
your Hotel's revenue, market share and profitability. With more than 800 pages of
tips, guides, best practices, strategies, plans, budgets, videos and resources,
HospitalityEducators.com is the number 1 website for hotel owners and managers of
both independent and branded properties. This site can help you solve your
problems now! Read MoreSpecial Anniversary Pricing For a Limited Time Code
http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4052535.html (2 of 4) [15.09.2012 17:30:17]

3. Hospitality Conversations™ | International Exposure Expands the Pot...uccess in Hospitality Businesses and Academics | By Dr. John Hogan
RFS35
Use The Reader Feedback Special for an annual membership at a cost of less than
35 cents per day!
KEYS TO SUCCESS™ is the umbrella title for my 2011 programs, hospitality
services and columns. This year's writings focus on a variety of topics for hotel
owners, managers and professionals including both my "HOW TO" articles,
HOSPITALITY CONVERSATIONS™, Lessons from the Field™, Hotel Common
Sense™ , THE P-A-R PRINCIPLE™ and Principles for Success.
[1] http://www.ehl.edu/eng/Enseignement/Enseignants/Profils-des-professeurs/Sonja-HOLVERSON
[2] http://ch.linkedin.com/in/sonjaholverson
John Hogan is a successful hospitality executive, educator, author and consultant and is a frequent
keynote speaker and seminar leader at many hospitality industry events. He is CEO and Co-Founder of
HospitalityEducators.com , which has more than 1600 resource pages and has become the #1
independent website for hotel owners and managers. He is also the Principal of HoganHospitality.com,
which offers hospitality consulting and hotel expert witness services.
TAGS
ecole hoteliere de lausanne, incentive travel companies, beau rivage palace,
diploma in business administration, university of lausanne, global internships,
diploma in business, crpm, executive courses, interactive classes, international
components, career backgroun
CONTACT
John Hogan, MBA CHA MHS CHE
Email: johnjhogan@yahoo.com
ORGANIZATION
John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE
www.hoganhospitality.com/
USA - Phoenix, AZ Phone: 602-799-5375
Email: info@hoganhospitality.com
Follow us
on:
RECENT NEWS
Lessons from the field: a tale of two restaurants | By Dr. John Hogan
Friday 14 September 2012
Additional Observations on Hotel Safety and Security for Hospitality Brands and
Hotel Management Companies | By Dr. John Hogan
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Questions I Wish You Would Ask Me™| Bill Hurley, International Hotelier
Monday 20 August 2012
All Articles from John Hogan, CHA MHS CHE
http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4052535.html (3 of 4) [15.09.2012 17:30:17]

4. Hospitality Conversations™ | International Exposure Expands the Pot...uccess in Hospitality Businesses and Academics | By Dr. John Hogan
Copyright© 1995-2012 Hospitality Net™ All rights reserved.
Trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.
Privacy Statement - Terms & Conditions - Advertising Information
http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/154000320/4052535.html (4 of 4) [15.09.2012 17:30:17]