Meet HTIM Graduate: Dani Schneider

Employer: Choose Lansing
Title: Sales Manager
Date of HTIM Course Completion: March 2024
Location: Lansing, MI

Why did you want to enroll in the HTIM business management course? 
I wanted to enroll in the HTIM business management course because I don’t have a bachelor’s degree and I was looking for ways to improve my resume. I had no idea when I enrolled that the course would be so much more than just a resume builder.

How will this help you step up in your career? 
Completing this course allowed me to have a greater understanding of the entire hospitality industry. The biggest step up in my career that this course granted me was the connections that were made. From our instructor to my classmates, the connections I made will continue to be important for years to come.
 
What advice do you have for others in the hospitality industry who are looking for ways to grow their career? 
This is the place to start! Being surrounded by other hospitality professionals who are also wanting to grow is the best thing you can do for career growth. I couldn’t believe how insightful their stories were and how easily applicable it would be to my own personal career growth.
 
What was your favorite part of the HTIM business management course? 
Easily the co-hort. We all came from different paths within the hospitality industry and when in the same room it was the best space for discussion and growth-minded conversations!
 
How long have you been working in the industry? 
I worked on the tourism side of things for about a year and a half before moving over to hospitality. I’ve been in the hospitality industry for just under two years now.
 
Can you share more background on your current role? 
I have been promoted to Sales Manager at Choose Lansing. I serve the social, military, education, religious, and fraternal markets. It is my job to assist event and meeting planners in finding venues that best fit their event. Setting up hotel room blocks for these events is the final piece of the puzzle before we loop our Services teammates in to help make the event a success start to finish!
 
What was your first job in hospitality? How did you get into this industry? 
I technically didn’t cross over from the tourism to the hospitality side of things until I started with the CVB. Being in a couple of tourism roles, one in Ohio and then getting to know Lansing through the R. E. Olds Transportation Museum, I realized I really liked the idea of getting to know people who were traveling and celebrating events. That love for events bridged the gap and encouraged me to jump over to the hospitality side.
 
Interesting and fun fact:
A fun fact about me is that I love identifying dog breeds and meeting as many dogs as possible! This is especially fun for me when I travel and I get to see what dogs are popular in different areas of the world! My personal favorite is any dog that is rescued. 😊
 
Final thoughts:
I am beyond grateful for the opportunities that HTIM presented to me. I gained so much confidence in my personal brand and the work that I do. The connections I made and the knowledge I gained are absolutely priceless! I hope that this is a course that continues to benefit Michiganders for years to come!

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