The Train the Trainer's Guide

Mary Jo Dolasinski has a bachelor's of science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management and a master's degree in Communication and Creative Arts. She has been training and teaching in both industry and academia for more than 15 years. As corporate director of Training and Career Development for White Lodging Services, she is responsible for all activities related to management and employee training. In this role she has developed and implemented company-wide initiatives such as New Hire Orientation, Certification Training, Leadership Training, Ongoing Development programs, etc. She has also developed partnerships with Marriott International, state government, and community-based organizations to implement training in such areas as Welfare to Work, Career Advancement Training for the company's incumbent, and Work Specific English to help immigrant employees.

Mary Jo serves as a national trainer for Marriott International, conducting training classes for managers and supervisors across the country on topics including: how to conduct training, time management and managing change. She has been a guest lecturer for Purdue University's Calumet campus for the last 10 years teaching small-group communication and public speaking, as well as a host of hospitality, management, and human resource classes.

Over the last several years, Mary Jo's efforts have been recognized nationally, including White Lodging Services' recognition as one of the Top 100 Training Companies for 2002 as determined by Training Magazine. She received the Industry Recognition Award for ongoing efforts toward the advancement of hospitality and tourism education presented by International Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education Association (ICHRIE) and was recognized as a "Best Practice Champion" in American Lodging Excellence by the American Hotel and Lodging Association.

She has been invited to deliver keynote addresses and workshops for many organizations including: The Government Meeting Planners Association, Indiana Chapter; ICHRIE; League of Cities; Hospitality Business Alliance; and American Hotel and Lodging Association. She has authored several articles, written a chapter on training for the Essentials of Food Safety and Sanitation, and coauthored an Immigrant's Guide to the American Workplace: Making It in America, Prentice Hall 2003.

Finally, with a sincere belief in giving back to the industry she works in and being an advocate of education, Mary Jo sits on several boards and is a member of many committees including: Hospitality Advisory Committee for Purdue University-Calumet, the Strategic Planning Committee for OCHRE, Commissioner for Commission on Accreditation of Hospitality Management Programs, Marriott International's Committee for Management University Training, and various School to Work Committees. She has also spearheaded local events for the promotion of the hospitality industry and education of high school teachers, customer service training for many local businesses, workshops with county convention and tourism bureaus, and partnered with the Department of Economic Development in the city of Gary, IN, to initiate a customer service program for local businesses.