Meet Rita LaMoreaux, MPA, CMP.

Location: Lansing, MI
Employer: Lacor Consultants
Title: Owner

Why did you want to instruct the HTIM business management course?
I love helping others learn new skills for upward career mobility. It is exciting to have a course where the students learn management skills that transfer to any area of the hospitality industry. The best discussion we had in one of my classes was how a good manager coaches their team to be better than them, so they can grow and move up in their career. I want this program to help other managers to see their role as a coach, creating a strong workplace team. 

How will this course help individuals step up in their career?
With gaining four new certifications for free to the student, it is an amazing program for career development. The leadership skills in this program are transferable to any workplace. Students come out with supervisory and management skills to help them in their everyday roles. The program also helps those in the hospitality industry to see what a great career it is, so they can help bring others into the industry.

What advice do you have for others in the hospitality industry who are looking for ways to grow in their career?
Always keep learning and growing. Also, learn from others in the industry. The best way to gain management skills is to get together with others in the same role to brainstorm ways to make your workplace better. There are so many career opportunities in hospitality, the possibilities are endless.
 
What is your favorite part of teaching the HTIM business management course?
I have enjoyed getting to know the students and learning about their love of the industry. Each class is made up of persons that work in the restaurant, hotel, and travel industry. The classes have great discussions where everyone learns from each other. It makes me excited to be in a room with professionals who love their career.
 
How long have you been working in the industry?
I have had over thirty years in the industry, between developing and leading education programs in museums and two years as the Seamstress for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for the 1995 and 1996 summer seasons. I then transferred those skills over to meeting and convention planning. I love being a meeting planner because I get to work with so many hotels, restaurants, and other properties throughout the state of Michigan. 
 
What was your first job in hospitality? How did you get into this industry?
My first job in the hospitality industry was giving tours to the public at the Michigan Historical Museum in downtown Lansing. I was twenty years old when I started working there. I learned so much from interacting with the public every day.

Can you share more background on your current role?
As a trainer for the Hospitality Institute of Michigan, I can share the customer service tools that I used for many years serving the public. I also bring my history and knowledge to a classroom to share with others in order to make them stronger managers.
 
Interesting and fun fact:
I have traveled all over the east coast of the United States and throughout most of Europe. In my later 20s and throughout my 30s, my hobby was travel. I would take off every chance I could get. Most of the travel was as a single female, alone. I learned during that time how hospitality workers are essential for helping a traveler who is all alone in a new place.

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