Dedman to Host the 2026 Contemporary Research Symposium This Weekend
This message has been approved by Dr. Don Farr, dean of the Dedman College of Hospitality, for distribution to students, faculty and staff.
The Dedman College of Hospitality is thrilled to bring the 2026 Contemporary Research Symposium to FSU from Friday, April 10, through Sunday, April 12.
This year’s event focuses on "Resilience and Thriving: Creating a Competitive Edge through Hospitality and Tourism." It serves as a platform for visiting researchers and our own university community to discuss how vital industries can adapt and grow amid ongoing global changes.
The symposium features an opening keynote by Dr. Lori Pennington-Gray, a leading scholar in tourism resilience from the University of South Carolina. Following this, a multidisciplinary panel of FSU experts will explore how different fields approach the concept of building robust, adaptable systems. This panel brings together leaders from across campus, including directors from FSU's Institute for Trauma and Resilience Studies, the Resilient Infrastructure and Disaster Response Center, and the Resilience Institute for Strength and Empowerment.
By bringing together diverse perspectives, this weekend’s symposium aims to uncover how we can foster environments prepared for whatever challenges come next.
We are excited to welcome visiting academics to Tallahassee to facilitate this important dialogue and help drive the actionable insights needed to secure a more sustainable future for our industries and communities.
To learn more about the symposium, featured experts, and the research being discussed, please visit the 2026 Contemporary Research Symposium website.