CMU Celebrates 17th Annual Entrepreneurship Day with Keynote Speaker Phillips Armstrong Jr.
Hospitality is our Destination
Each spring, Colorado Mesa University celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit with Entrepreneurship Day (E-Day). This annual event showcases the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and connecting students with industry leaders.
2024 Entrepreneurship Day is on Thursday, May 2, from12pm to 1:30pm in the University Center Meyer Ballroom, and features a keynote address by Phillips Armstrong Jr., founder and CEO of Destination Hospitality Group. With over 25 years of industry experience, Armstrong exemplifies the transformative power of genuine human connection and hospitality.
Armstrong’s keynote, titled “Hospitality is our Destination,” will explore the profound impact of authentic customer hospitality and its relevance in today’s world.
Born and raised near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Armstrong’s journey in hospitality began at the age of 14 as a busboy at a local Italian restaurant. Today, his Destination Hospitality Restaurant Group encompasses a portfolio of acclaimed restaurants and extends to private event, catering and consulting services, all rooted in a culture of prioritizing employees’ well-being.
In addition to Armstrong’s address, E-Day includes sessions highlighting CMU student entrepreneurs, bridging classroom theory with real-world experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear about students’ innovations and entrepreneur endeavors. The elevator pitch competition is a true highlight of E-Day, where student entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to attendees. The audience votes for the best business plan, and the winner receives a cash prize for seed money, supporting their entrepreneurial endeavors.
Entrepreneurship Day at CMU is open to students, faculty, staff and the public, though it is a ticketed event. For more information about E-Day and to register for the event, please visit www.supportingcmu.org/event/2024-entrepreneurship-day.
