The Lodging, Restaurant, Resort and Campground Association
GREAT NEWS! Grant funding now available for schools adding ProStart and the Hospitality Tourism Management Program.
The Department of Employment and Economic Development funds are available through the Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) to pay for curriculum, teacher training, ServSafe certification, travel and food costs, and other materials for these successful national programs. As CTE programs, districts are also eligible for 35% reimbursement of program costs.
ProStart is a two-year national curriculum for foodservice management and culinary arts, which includes classroom study, mentored work experiences, the statewide and national ProStart Invitational competition, and other events.
Hospitality Tourism Management Program (HTMP) is a national curriculum that introduces high school students to the hospitality and tourism industry. The curriculum covers a broad range of topics from property and facilities management, food and beverage, events, sales and marketing, and leadership skills.
The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation (HMEF) implements two hospitality industry career-building programs, ProStart and HTMP, in high schools across Minnesota. Since 2008 HMEF has awarded over $802,000 in Scholarships to 330 students pursuing post-secondary education for careers in foodservice, lodging, tourism and hospitality management. The scholarships were provided through the generosity of Minnesota hospitality operators.
ProStart is a two-year curriculum for culinary arts and foodservice management, which includes classroom study, mentored work experiences, and the ProStart Invitational competition. Over 80 Minnesota schools offer ProStart programs, reaching more than 5,500 students annually.
The Hospitality & Tourism Management Program (HTMP) is a curriculum that introduces high school students to the lodging industry. The curriculum covers everything from front office and housekeeping management to marketing and sales, food and beverage, as well as general management and leadership skills. Currently the HTMP program is in 13 schools across Minnesota.
The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, relies on donations to fund its educational and outreach efforts.
Learn how HMEF impacts students lives:
HMEF Teacher's Training at Grand Casino August 4, 2020
Hospitality Leaders Fund
The Hospitality Minnesota Education Foundation extends a special thanks to our Leaders Fund donors for their generous support. Their leadership is critical to building the Foundation by supporting programs like ProStart and HTMP and to provide our industry with a workforce solution by educating educated, enthusiastic and energetic high school students. Become a Leaders Fund Donor by calling Cyndi Keesee, 651.925.4012
HMEF 2021 Board of Directors
Chair: Doug Karle - LHR Hospitality
Vice Chair: Jim Benson - Sourcewell
Treasurer: Dave Garvey - Grand Casino
Immediate Past Chair: Tim Murray - Murray's Restaurant
Tim Boldt - Sysco Minnesota
Dean Breuer - MN Dept. of Education, Mktg & Bus.
Rollie Carlson - Upper Midwest CMAA Chapter
Andrea Cummings - Minneapolis Foundation
Jodi DePonty - Ecolab
Tim Devins – Upper Lakes Foods
Hoobie Eskuri – US Foods
Ann Hutchinson - Pillager High School
Joyce Hwang, PhD. - Southwest Minnesota State Univ
Patsy Keech – Eagan High School
Mary Levinski - Sauk Rapids-Rice High School
Jennifer Lueck - Strategy Factory
Peter Mihajlov - Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc
Leopoldo "Polo" Navorro - Cargill Foodservice
William Niemer, CEC, CCE, CE- That Cooking School
Rick Oknick
Mike “Pinto” Pantaleo - Reinhart Foodservice
Maxine Peterson - Minnesota Department of Education (non-voting)
Mitch Peterson - TPI Hospitality, Retired CEO
Keith Reardon - Morrissey Hospitality Group
Branden Robinson - South Pier Inn
Heidi Rosati - Coca-Cola
Chris Ruttger - Ruttger's Bay Lake Lodge
Monique Sabby - Elk River High School
Kenneth Schelper - Davanni's (retired)
Frank Soukup - Grand View Lodge
Brandon Supernault - Normandale Community College
Past Chairs:
Tom Chase - Chase Hospitality
Bill Foussard - Best Western Plus White Bear Country Inn
Peter Mihajlov - Parasole Restaurant Holdings, Inc
Bill Naegele - Restaurants No Limit