UT creates Conference Services Committee

March 10, 2010 | News, UToday
By Staff



In times of tightening budgets, the University has looked for new ways to increase revenue. One such way is the recent creation of a University Conference Services Committee.

The committee, with members from the Student Union, Residence Life, Athletics, Auxiliary Services, Student Recreation Center and Aramark, is charged with increasing the number of camps and conferences held on campus.

“In creating this group, we wanted to make sure we had all of the necessary parties at the table to ensure we could successfully complete our charge,” said David Wahr, interim director of auxiliary services, who is committee chair. “We’ve been laying the groundwork for the past six months and are now ready to go and bring new business onto campus.”

Not only will increased conferences and camps directly increase revenue brought into the University, but they also serve as recruiting tools.

Wahr continued, “When courting new business, we have approached not only traditional professional associations but also school groups, sports camps and variety of other youth organizations. Getting these students to experience firsthand our wonderful facilities and learn more about a campus has a direct correlation to if they will consider The University of Toledo when choosing a place to study.”

Faculty and staff also are encouraged to consider using University facilities when planning professional and personal events.

Last summer, UT played host to the International Association of Great Lakes Research conference. Dr. Hans Gottgens, UT professor of environmental sciences and a co-organizer of the event, said, “Hosting the event on campus was convenient and affordable. We hosted some 600 conference attendees and didn’t have to worry about anything — meeting space, overnight accommodations, dining services — it was all handled by the group, and we just gave final approval.”

Tamika Dobbins, hall director with the Office of Residence Life, thought close to home when planning her church’s youth convention. “I experience the University’s wonderful facilities every day. When it came time to pick a location for our group, I suggested UT because I knew my group would enjoy the experience, and we would get a great value for our money.”

To learn more about how to host an event or receive detailed pricing, visit the Conference Services’ Web site, utoledo.edu/conferenceservices.