Advancing Southern Utah’s hospitality landscape through education and employment opportunities
In a landmark partnership, Black Desert has become an official partner with Utah Tech University’s (UT) Hotel & Resort Management program, helping transform the hospitality industry in Southern Utah through new opportunities for students and professionals. The partnership will assist the university in positioning Southern Utah as a premier destination for hospitality management and career opportunities.
“By providing students with opportunities for learning and growth, we are not only investing in their future but also the future of the hospitality industry,” said Patrick Manning, managing partner of Black Desert. “We are proud to be at the forefront of this exciting new chapter in hospitality education.”
Black Desert, with numerous major events and openings planned this year, is expected to bring thousands of jobs to the local community. The development will offer hospitality students from UT a multitude of job opportunities in all areas of hotel and resort management.
“We’re fortunate to have such a prominent university in our community, and will support it in every way we can,” said Manning. “The next generation of college graduates will kickstart a transformative wave in the local industry. Armed with a UT education, these young professionals will not just enter the workforce—they will redefine it.”
Black Desert already champions student success at UT as its scholarship sponsor, aiming to kickstart careers for future professionals of Southern Utah. It is also the sponsor of UT’s Fire and Ice Gala and serves as the home course for the women’s and men’s golf teams, providing exclusive access to its state-of-the-art practice facility.
As Black Desert continues to develop its mega-resort, the partnership represents another step towards creating a vibrant ecosystem for hospitality education and professional growth in Utah. “Together, we are setting a new standard for excellence in the hospitality industry, making Utah the place to be for aspiring hospitality professionals,” said Manning.
To learn more about Black Desert, visit https://www.blackdesertresort.com/. To learn more about Utah Tech University, visit https://utahtech.edu/.
About Black Desert
Reef Capital Partners is developing Black Desert. Upon buildout, the property will offer 3000+ hotel rooms and residences; a concert venue; miles of trails through ancient lava flows; a waterpark; a wellness spa; and more than 250,000 square feet of retail and restaurants. In addition to the 19-hole, Weiskopf-designed golf course, guests of Black Desert will enjoy a 36-hole illuminated putting course for day or night play. The resort’s 19th Hole, an amphitheater-style lakeside-gathering place terraced into the black lava, will be the ultimate venue for winding down after a day of golf. To learn more about Black Desert Resort, visit www.blackdesertresort.com.
About Utah Tech University
The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate and 90 graduate degree programs, and an enrollment of more than 35,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. Recently ranked #1 public university in the West by the Wall Street Journal, the U strives to be a model public university in delivering unmatched value in higher education and health care while making social, economic and cultural contributions that improve the quality of life throughout the state, the nation and the world.