Meet and Greet

Cincinnati prides itself on being a welcoming city. Last week, that became a little bit easier, as the Dan Lincoln Institute for Hospitality Leadership (IHL) recognized 44 graduates during a special ceremony celebrating students from across Hamilton County.

IHL is a workforce development initiative of Visit Cincy. This year’s graduates included high school students and adult learners from five partner programs: LADD (Living Arrangements for the Developmentally Disabled), AchievePoint, Oyler High School, Western Hills University High School, and Withrow University High School. Families, educators, and partners joined to honor these future leaders in hospitality.

“What started as a pilot program with one high school is now preparing students across our region for careers in hospitality,” said Julie Calvert, president and CEO of Visit Cincy. “This work is about opening doors to opportunity, to community, and to a future in one of Cincinnati’s most vital industries.”

The ceremony spotlighted the program’s namesake, the late Dan Lincoln, former President and CEO of the Cincinnati USA Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Visit Cincy). His legacy of championing education, access, and workforce development continues through IHL’s expanding reach, now serving both high school students and adult learners.

Dan Lincoln’s sister, Joanne Maly, attended the event in support of the program and the graduates.

“The Dan Lincoln Institute was built on access, inclusion, and the belief that everyone deserves a clear pathway to a meaningful career,” said Ryah Harrison, Program Manager of the Visit Cincy Foundation for Hospitality Excellence. “These graduates represent the future of hospitality, prepared, inspired, and ready to contribute to Cincinnati’s visitor economy.”

Graduates received IHL certificates and the Certified Tourism Ambassador® (CTA® ) designation, a nationally recognized credential in hospitality and customer service excellence, positioning them to contribute to Cincinnati’s visitor economy.

Scholarships were awarded during the ceremony to Egide Habarugira and Kristen Saul.

Founded in 2016, IHL connects classroom learning, mentorship, and real-world experience to help prepare diverse, skilled talent for careers in Cincinnati’s growing hospitality and tourism sector. Visit Cincy also plans to expand the program into additional social service agencies focused on workforce development and hospitality.