AI Deployment Lab for Hospitality Leaders
This hands-on, in-person lab gives hospitality leaders practical AI tools they can use right away, supported by a short, self-paced online module focused on leading teams as AI is introduced into daily work.
Designed for operators, managers, and emerging leaders, this program focuses on hands-on use of AI tools in real hospitality settings. Participants work on practical tasks—using AI to simplify operations, improve guest service, reduce costs, and support everyday decisions across hotels, restaurants, and tourism organizations.
The experience includes live, instructor-led demonstrations of today’s most common AI tools, such as automation tools, chat-based assistants, forecasting tools, and content creation tools. Participants learn how to apply these tools immediately to real operational and marketing needs.
To support leadership skills, the program includes a 90-minute self-paced online module focused on leading teams as AI becomes part of the workplace. While the in-person lab builds hands-on skills, the online module builds leadership confidence—helping ensure AI use stays thoughtful, accountable, and easy to scale, rather than reactive or unplanned. This module focuses on people-related issues, including team culture, communication, clear roles, and trust, giving leaders the guidance they need to introduce AI successfully.
Together, the in-person lab and online module provide a clear, practical approach: how to use AI today, and how to lead teams responsibly as AI becomes part of daily hospitality operations.
By the end of this experience, you will be able to:
- Describe how AI is changing hospitality operations and decisions
- Use common AI tools to support operations, guest service, marketing, and daily work
- Follow clear, step-by-step methods to apply AI without technical skills
- Create a simple action plan for your property or organization
- Leave with ready-to-use templates you can apply immediately
- Recognize and reduce people-related risks linked to AI use
- Apply a clear leadership approach for working with people and AI together
Unlike programs that focus only on tools, this program helps leaders use AI while protecting good judgment, trust, and accountability.
- Hotel managers, supervisors, and department heads
- Restaurant owners, general managers, and operations managers
- Destination marketing and tourism professionals
- Hospitality IT managers and analysts
- Students and early-career professionals seeking applied AI skills
- Anyone responsible for operational efficiency, guest experience, or service innovation
- Recommended Experience: 2+ years in a restaurant or hospitality operations role
What this program is NOT
- Not a technical or engineering-focused AI certification
- Not a coding or data science course
- Not a vendor-led tools demonstration or sales pitch
What this program IS:
- A practical guide for using AI while protecting trust, judgment, and team performance
- A hands-on program showing how to use AI tools in real hospitality situations
- A leadership framework for managing people and AI together with clarity and accountability
Hospitality leaders must deliver stronger marketing, better guest service, and smoother operations with limited time and staff. This program offers a hands-on way to use AI immediately to meet those demands.
At the same time, leaders must manage how AI affects people. The online module prepares participants to introduce AI carefully, protecting team trust, psychological safety, and decision quality as technology expands across the organization.
Participants should take this program to learn how to:
- Guide teams through AI adoption without damaging culture or engagement
- Use AI to work faster and reduce manual tasks
- Make clearer operational and revenue decisions
This program is delivered in person at FIU’s Biscayne Bay Campus, home of the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. The experience focuses on real hospitality examples, peer discussion, live demonstrations, and hands-on practice. Participants take part in guided discussions and practical activities focused on operations, marketing, and decision-making using AI.
An included online leadership module focuses on trust, communication, and team performance, with 30 days of LMS access after the live program to support continued learning.
Mid- to senior-level professionals in the hospitality, lifestyle, and luxury goods industries who are responsible for branding, marketing, guest experience, or business development. This includes:
Participants will be able to:
- Identify useful AI applications for hospitality operations and marketing
- Create short marketing videos using AI tools
- Produce consistent brand messaging across digital channels
- Use AI to support guest communication and online reviews
- Simplify internal workflows and planning with AI
- Assess AI tools without relying on vendors
- Create a realistic 30-day AI action plan
- Lead people and AI together while maintaining trust and clear roles
Core Topics
- AI Fundamentals for Hospitality Leaders
What AI is, what it is not, and where it provides real value in hospitality operations. - AI for Guest Engagement and Communication
Using AI to support guest messages, answer common questions, review feedback, and keep service consistent. - AI-Supported Content and Digital Marketing
How teams can create and update videos, images, and messages quickly to maintain a steady online presence. - AI for Smarter Decisions and Operational Efficiency
Using AI to organize information, spot trends, and support better daily decisions. - Managing Human + AI Teams
This online module shows leaders how to maintain trust, clear roles, and strong communication as AI becomes part of daily work—helping teams use AI without weakening culture or decision quality.
Format
- One-Day, In-Person Applied Workshop
- 90-minute learning blocks with a working lunch
- Includes live demos, guided practice, group exercises, and a take-home workbook
- Online Module [Self-Paced via Learning Management System (LMS)]
- Length: 90-minutes
- Access: 30-days
Date and Location
- Thursday, October 22, 2026. 8am to 5pm
- Koven’s Conference Center
Florida International University
HM 249 – 2nd Floor
Biscayne Bay Campus
3000 N.E. 151st Street
North Miami, FL 33181-3000
About Instructor
Course Includes
- 4 Lessons