Conference & Hospitality Services and Campus Dining: A Recipe for Success

What do you get when you mix equal parts overnight accommodations, seamless event planning, and top-rated food & beverage in a stunning seaside location?  The answer is in the title - a recipe for success! Conference & Hospitality Services just wrapped up 50 summers of hosting programs on campus, all with the support of partners like Campus Dining. Conference season at UCSB is a buzzy environment of intellectual and social activity where a variety of groups utilize our beautiful campus to foster dialogue, share knowledge, learn new skills, eat delicious food, and have a whole lot of fun. Hosting an average of 120 programs a summer with approximately 17,000 guests, serving 251,532 dining commons meals and 222 catering events, is no small feat. We are fortunate to work with many talented professional staff and students who help bring it all to fruition. 

The meticulous planning happens throughout the academic year. At the heart of it, the long-standing collaboration between Conference & Hospitality Services and Campus Dining has proven to be a perfect pairing. Over the years, this well-executed balance of lively sessions and nourishing meals has complemented the overall conference experience, all while generating revenue that contributes to reducing student housing costs and improving our residential communities. 

The Campus Dining team determines the dining commons meal hours for each conference program, guides catering menu selections, and provides delicious food and beverages throughout – from coffee breaks and buffet lunches to ocean view dinners with dancing under the stars. They tailor their offerings to meet the specific needs and preferences of the attendees, thereby creating a welcome and inclusive dining experience.  This involves noting dietary restrictions, accommodating cultural preferences, and offering a variety of food options to suit different tastes. Campus Dining has the opportunity to showcase its culinary talents and commitment to sustainability, highlighting locally sourced ingredients and organic produce whenever possible. 

Conference & Hospitality Services & Campus Dining remain in lockstep throughout the various planning stages from the initial client contact to the final event execution. Our mutual knack for details and creating meaningful experiences through food and community makes for a solid working relationship. We support each other and understand everything that comes along with hospitality – the long days, the after-hours calls, the fast pace, and expecting the unexpected. We have regular meetings with each client to ensure we meet budget parameters, review agendas, and think creatively about event decor and themes. It’s especially fun when our attire matches the linen colors on event day! 

Notable events include themed barbecues with burgers and watermelon wedges for CADA Leadership high schoolers, milestone anniversary cakes for WACUBO, thousands of boxed lunches prepared for Orange County Leadership with 168 gallons of water served at their iconic Storke Plaza dances, and beloved shrimp buckets and trays of chocolate covered strawberries for Crypto. In addition, Crypto routinely designs their innovative conference swag around their favorite food traditions with customized t-shirts and stickers. 

As two team members from Conference & Hospitality Services head to the National Tour Association trade show in November to meet with potential new clients, we are reminded of how much our campus has to offer and the strong working relationships formed over the years. Conference & Hospitality Services and Campus Dining is a testament to the power of teamwork. This cross-unit collaboration continues to create unforgettable experiences for visitors and prospective students. Here’s to our prosperous 50-year partnership!