Associate Professor Gayle Jennings recently concluded her participation in and role as Vice-Chair of the Executive for the Council for Australian Tourism and Hospitality Education, CAUTHE.

CAUTHE is the peak body for Tourism and Hospitality Education in Australia.

The 2004 Chair of CAUTHE, Associate Professor Perry Hobson, Southern Cross University, commented that Gayle had been a strong driver in moving the Council towards reviewing its strategic directions.

He said she had worked hard over the past two years in preparing for a strategic review of CAUTHE, which included archival documentary analysis, organisation and facilitation of a full day workshop and e-participation process in order to achieve as inclusive and collaborative a process as possible.

He said Associate Professor Jennings had also brought important connections with other international tourism and hospitality associations such as the International Society of Travel and Tourism Education and the Travel and Tourism Research Association.

"Such connections broaden our understanding of international agendas in regard to Tourism and Hospitality Education," Associate Professor Hobson said.

"Gayle has also been a strong advocate of postgraduate research student participation and education and was instrumental in working with this year’s conference convenors to organise the highly successful inaugural CAUTHE postgraduate symposium prior to the commencement of the CAUTHE Annual Conference.".

Associate Professor Hobson lamented that the CQU academic would not be able to assume the role of Chair.

Associate Professor Jennings was formally thanked for her significant contributions to CAUTHE and the Executive at the Annual General Meeting and at the Conference Dinner.

In addition to Executive and Postgraduate Symposium responsibilities, Associate Professor Jennings had a busy agenda prior to and during the conference. She was involved:.

 In Executive meetings as well as participating in the Annual General Meeting of CAUTHE as an Executive member;.

 As a member of the 2004 CAUTHE Executive, in the hosting of the Heads of School, Departments and Divisions of Tourism and Hospitality Working Breakfast. This Working Breakfast was chaired by Associate Professor Hobson and focussed on current issues in regard to Tourism and Hospitality Education in Australia;.

 In the Chairing of a conference session;.

 In the Scientific Committee and in the selection of the best conference paper.