Where the Business of Hospitality Begins

Where the Business of Hospitality Began

Today, in a world where well over a hundred hotel schools offer the educational fundamentals for a career in the hospitality industry, the Kemmons Wilson School (KWS) of Hospitality and Resort Management is charged by its founder with distinguishing itself from others and making a difference. The University of Memphis' positioning statement, "Dreamers, Thinkers and Doers," reflects the philosophy of C. Kemmons Wilson, Sr., who fifty years ago utilized this same concept in starting the first global hotel brand-Holiday Inn hotels. The idea for starting a hotel that focused on meeting the needs of family travelers stemmed from his own experience as a customer. Mr. Wilson was frustrated with unreasonable room rates with extra charges for children, inconsistent standards of quality, and the overall lack of available rooms. Mr. Wilson's profile as an entrepreneur and innovator, coupled with his energy and smart business acumen, attracted partners who would help create a vision for a new type of hotel, one focused on new, evolving, middle-class travelers and their families. The Kemmons Wilson School has applied these same qualities as the foundation and guiding principles for developing tomorrow's hospitality leaders.