Trish Stevens

Tell us about your background.

I have been Membership Director at Hospitality Minnesota for over 14 years. As an integral part of the leadership team, I focus on new member onboarding and development as well as member retention. I live in Mahtomedi with my significant other of 21 years. He works for Delta Airlines so we enjoy travel when we are able. I love to golf and spend time at my cabin in the Brainerd Lakes area. I have one son and three wonderful grandchildren.

Share about the work of Hospitality Minnesota.

On April 1, 2020, the three separate associations managed by Hospitality Minnesota (restaurant, lodging and resort & campground), merged to become one organization. The timing of this new relationship and organizational structure was prescient with the coronavirus pandemic causing the shutdown of the hospitality industry. Working truly under one umbrella with one board of directors provided swift and effective support for what would become a prolonged and challenging time for all Minnesota hospitality businesses. Having centralized leadership could not have been better timed to provide a coordinated and consistent response to help Hospitality Minnesota association members successfully navigate through this devastating economic crisis.

The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) was founded as a 501(c)3 charitable purpose organization in 2004 and is managed by Hospitality Minnesota staff and led by a separate board of directors. The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation promotes and supports two high school curriculums to advance Minnesota’s hospitality industry. ProStart is a career-building program for high school students who are interested in culinary arts and foodservice management. The Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP) is a two-year program for 11th and 12th grade students, providing a combination of classroom learning and real-life work experience in hospitality.

What do you think are some of the challenges of attracting more people to the hospitality industry in Ramsey County?

Many individuals have left the hospitality industry during the pandemic and are not returning. There are concerns about their children returning to school and how that may pan out especially with the escalation of the COVID-19 Delta variant. Other global challenges to the industry.

1. Re-Opening Challenges
2. Fixed and Variable Expenses
3. Low Occupancy
4. Pricing Elasticity
5. Renewed Lockdowns
6. Health and Wellness
7. Technology

Where do you see the most opportunities for residents who may have interest in a hospitality career?

Easy entry, low skill requirements with on-the-job training, flexible hours.