2023: The Branches of Hospitality You are here Kent Hospitality and Event Management Schwebel Lecture Series 2023: The Branches of Hospitality The Branches of Hospitality The 2023 Schwebel Guest Lecture Series brought John Barker, Katie Coach and Joe Savarise. Get to know the faces behind Ohio’s thriving hospitality scene—each with a unique story and a passion for people. John Barker John Barker is currently President & CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association, a business trade association with a mission focused on promoting and protecting the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry, and is CEO of the ORA Education Foundation. He has 30+ years of business experience with consumer centric organizations including the restaurant industry, greeting cards/social expressions, non-profit entities and universities. He was also a journalist and an editor for several years. John Barker John Barker is currently President & CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association, a business trade association with a mission focused on promoting and protecting the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry, and is CEO of the ORA Education Foundation. He has 30+ years of business experience with consumer centric organizations including the restaurant industry, greeting cards/social expressions, non-profit entities and universities. He was also a journalist and an editor for several years. John Barker John Barker is currently President & CEO of the Ohio Restaurant Association, a business trade association with a mission focused on promoting and protecting the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industry, and is CEO of the ORA Education Foundation. He has 30+ years of business experience with consumer centric organizations including the restaurant industry, greeting cards/social expressions, non-profit entities and universities. He was also a journalist and an editor for several years. Katie Coach Katie Coach began her career at Oakwood Country Club as a teenager, eventually serving as the Director of Catering and Events at a prominent country club in Austin, Texas. She holds Bachelors' Degrees in Political Science, Women's Studies, and Spanish and a Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE). She is currently the Director of Event Curation with Palmer Event Solutions, specializing in developing events for non-profit organizations. Katie Coach Katie Coach began her career at Oakwood Country Club as a teenager, eventually serving as the Director of Catering and Events at a prominent country club in Austin, Texas. She holds Bachelors' Degrees in Political Science, Women's Studies, and Spanish and a Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE). She is currently the Director of Event Curation with Palmer Event Solutions, specializing in developing events for non-profit organizations. Katie Coach Katie Coach began her career at Oakwood Country Club as a teenager, eventually serving as the Director of Catering and Events at a prominent country club in Austin, Texas. She holds Bachelors' Degrees in Political Science, Women's Studies, and Spanish and a Master's of Science in Organizational Leadership and Ethics (MSOLE). She is currently the Director of Event Curation with Palmer Event Solutions, specializing in developing events for non-profit organizations. Joe Savarise Joe Savarise joined the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association as Executive Director in January 2015. He is currently a member of the Boards of Directors for the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Columbus StreetRailway Corporation. He serves on the Advisory Board of the American Hospitality Alliance. Prior to 2015, Joe was Senior Vice President with BIPAC the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, in Washington, DC. Joe Savarise Joe Savarise joined the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association as Executive Director in January 2015. He is currently a member of the Boards of Directors for the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Columbus StreetRailway Corporation. He serves on the Advisory Board of the American Hospitality Alliance. Prior to 2015, Joe was Senior Vice President with BIPAC the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, in Washington, DC. Joe Savarise Joe Savarise joined the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association as Executive Director in January 2015. He is currently a member of the Boards of Directors for the Franklin County Convention Facilities Authority, Greater Columbus Convention & Visitors Bureau, Greater Columbus Sports Commission and the Columbus StreetRailway Corporation. He serves on the Advisory Board of the American Hospitality Alliance. Prior to 2015, Joe was Senior Vice President with BIPAC the Business-Industry Political Action Committee, in Washington, DC. Explore Our Past Speakers Get inspired by decades of insight from industry leaders who’ve shaped the world of hospitality. Through 2022
