Meet HTIM Graduate: Mark W. Weedon

Employer: McCollum's Restaurant & Bar
Title: Event Manager
Date of HTIM Course Completion: November 2025
Location: Buchanan, Michigan

Why did you want to enroll in the HTIM business management course?
I enrolled in the HTIM business management course to strengthen my operational and leadership skills within the hospitality industry. While I brought prior leadership and management experience to the role, I wanted a deeper, hospitality-specific understanding of systems, financials, and people management to ensure I could lead with confidence and clarity.

How will this help you step up in your career?
The course has helped me to think more strategically, connecting day-to-day operations with long-term goals. It’s given me tools to manage events, teams, and budgets better while improving guest experience and profitability. Most importantly, it helped me lead with intention rather than reaction.

What advice do you have for others in the hospitality industry who are looking for ways to grow their career?
Be curious and invest in yourself. Hospitality rewards people who are willing to learn beyond their job description. Understanding the “why” behind systems, finances, and guest behavior will separate you from the crowd faster than simply working harder.

What was your favorite part of the HTIM business management course?
I really appreciated how practical and real world the course was. Everything is tied back to situations you face in hospitality, staffing, margins, guest expectations, and leadership under pressure.

How long have you been working in the industry?
I’ve been in the industry for two years.

Can you share more background on your current role?
As the event manager at McCollum’s, I oversee the planning and execution of events, coordinate with vendors and performers, manage logistics, and ensure each event enhances both the guest experience and brand presence. The role blends creativity, organization, and leadership, no two days are the same.

What was your first job in hospitality? How did you get into this industry?
My first hospitality role was working behind the bar and assisting with service operations at Lehman's Brewery & Farmhouse in Buchanan, MI. I was drawn to industry because of the energy, the people, and the opportunity to create memorable experiences. Once I saw the impact good leadership can have on both guests and staff, I knew this was a space I wanted to grow in.
 
Interesting & fun fact: 
​I’m the Mayor of Buchanan, Michigan, and I still love jumping in to help behind the scenes at events or the bar. My favorite food is grilled, and I’m a big fan of small-town travel with great food and live music.

Anything else you’d like to share?
HTIM reinforced that hospitality is both an art and a business. When you respect both sides equally, you can build something that lasts for your guests, your team, and your community.

Learn more about HTIM Hospitality Business Management Course

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