Blair HS Students Present Mock Restaurant Proposals

From HMSHost: Today students from Montgomery Blair High School’s Academy of Entrepreneurship brought their A-game to corporate America, presenting business proposals for a restaurant space in DCA airport to a panel of judges from HMSHost! This was a mock business pitching scenario designed to challenge the young business students by immersing them into a mimicked RFP/proposal process similar to what HMSHost focuses on every day with airports across North America.

Students received an “RFP” for a food & beverage space in Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) one month ago and over the past few weeks they have been working on their proposals, preparing for their big presentations today.

Judging criteria included: the concept/brand, financial plan, and marketing plan. The winning team presented a compelling case for a restaurant called King Cone Cup – an innovative pizza in a cone concept. Winning team students included: Miniya Jefferson, Jancy Granados, Evalyn Angelis, Wilber Meza, Doug Tsegaye

Paul Mamalian, Executive Vice President and General Counsel hosted the event and the HMSHost panel of judges included:

• Derryl Benton, Executive Vice President of Business Development
• Sarah Naqvi, Executive Vice President and CIO
• Laura FitzRandolph, Chief human Resources Officer

HMSHost has worked with Blair’s Academy of Entrepreneurship in past years, however this format for presentations was new this year. This “RFP” challenge for the students was based loosely on the real process that airports and companies use to award and win food & beverage and retail contracts in airports, giving the students a chance to absorb valuable hands-on business lessons.

The students were also immersed into a full day of corporate life, taking tours of various departments, having a catered lunch, and time to network with HMSHost corporate associates of all levels including the CEO Steve Johnson.

Photo courtesy of HMSHost