Tim Colligan’s hospitality career has spanned operations, technology sales, education, and industry leadership—and he is now entering a new chapter focused on teaching the next generation of hospitality professionals.

Tell us about your current role and your journey into hospitality.

I am currently in a unique position, pivoting to full-time teaching after many years in hospitality technology sales. I am broadening my teaching to new hospitality programs and expanding to cover general business courses, including Entrepreneurship and Business Management.

My passion for the hospitality industry began with part-time operational roles and earning my Hospitality degree from Penn State University. I am proud to say that I have continually benefited over the years from networking with fellow passionate hospitality fanatics through the Penn State Hotel & Restaurant Society (PSHRS). A previous boss once joked that it was like a cult, and she wasn't far off!

I was blessed with a great mentor early on who challenged me to earn my MBA while learning consultative sales at Nabisco Food Service. That mindset eventually led to my Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE) designation and representation on the Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration (ACPHA) board.

In fact, my colleagues and strategic customers at MICROS, Oracle Hospitality, and Agilysys recognized my passion for teaching long before it became obvious to me.

What do you enjoy most about working in this industry?

My journey with HSMAI originally began out of a practical need: I wanted to understand Revenue Management firsthand, earn my CRME or CRMA certification, and learn how my technology solutions could directly help hotel leaders across the New England and Mid-Atlantic hotel markets.

What I have come to value most about HSMAI DC, however, is the community. The chapter's exceptionally well-run meetings—orchestrated by Ellen Wilson—focus on true education and networking.

Beyond that, the lasting friendships I have developed along the way—shout out to Sheila Hession; William P. Perry; Debbie Tappan, CRME; Christopher Zindash, CHA, CHIA; Jeremy Huvard; JJ Abuelhawa; and many others—showcase everything I love about this industry.

Looking ahead to 2027, what trend or opportunity do you believe hospitality leaders should be paying close attention to?

The forward-looking discussions on commercial strategy and AI align perfectly with my passion for staying educated and passing this knowledge forward through storytelling and consultative teaching.

Looking ahead, I believe the next fast-moving step in AI application is robotics—specifically understanding how to optimize their use across hotels, restaurants, and institutional operations.

As I make this pivot, my goal is to educate the next generation on how to capitalize on this trend while helping current GM, Accounting, F&B, and Operations leaders leverage it to enhance both the guest experience and the bottom line.

What is one piece of advice you would give to someone looking to grow their career in hospitality?

If I could offer one piece of career advice, it would be this: take a maniacal inventory of your strengths and leverage them relentlessly. Keep your head up, have complete confidence in your worth, and do not wait to follow your passions.

What is something your HSMAI colleagues may be surprised to learn about you outside of work?

Outside of work, I am blessed with a tremendous wife and a loving family—or "Irish clan." You might be surprised by how much I love history—mainly because it helps me tell better stories.

But be cautious if you ask me about Nathanael Greene, Henry Frick, Daniel Sickles, or Milton Hershey... and if you do, I hope there’s a good bar—and a cold Guinness—nearby!

“Simply put, HSMAI has clarified my purpose in hospitality.”

— Tim Colligan