HRSM Innovation Week 2026
Nov. 10 – Innovation Week Kickoff
University Conference Center | Close-Hipp Building, 8th Floor
8:30 a.m. — Registration
9-10:30 a.m. — Transformational Travel Panel
- Lori Pennington-Gray, Ph.D.
- Jake Haupert
- Suzy Ross, Ph.D.
- Ye Zhang, Ph.D.
10:30-10:45 a.m. — Break
10:45-11:30 a.m. — Retail Speaker (TBD)
11:30 a.m.-noon — Lunch
Nov. 10 – An Afternoon with AI
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Motivational Activation Patterns in Live Esports Re-Attendance: An Explainable Machine Learning Approach to Fan Segmentation
Noon-12:20 p.m.
Explore how AI and machine learning can be used to analyze patterns and improve predictions for esports event attendance.
Yongjin Hwang, Ph.D. / Faculty Presenter -
From Perception to Practice: Advancing GenAI Feedback in Hospitality & Retail Education
12:25-12:45 p.m.
Discover how generative AI can support more useful, practical feedback within hospitality and retail education.
Ziyou Jiang, Ph.D. & Chang Ma, Ph.D. / Faculty Presenters -
From Algorithms to Constructs: LLMs in Psychometrics Innovation
12:50-1:10 p.m.
Examine the role of large language models in psychometrics and how emerging AI capabilities may support new approaches to measurement and evaluation.
Stephen Shapiro, Ph.D. & Susmit Gulavani, Ph.D. / Faculty Presenters
1:10-1:30 p.m. — Break
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Physical and Embodied AI: Powering the New Hospitality Architecture
1:30-1:50 p.m.
Explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and robotics, including how AI can interact with and operate within the physical world. (Virtual presentation)
Mihai Bote / Founder, Confido Robotics -
The New SEO: How AI Engines Decide Who to Recommend
2:30-3:15 p.m.
Learn how to position your brand as a trusted source in AI-generated answers and increase the likelihood that AI engines recommend it.
Jenni Schrader / Founder, Scale Efficiency
3:15-3:30 p.m. — Break
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Building an AI Research Infrastructure for the Behavioral and Social Sciences
3:30-4:15 p.m.
This presentation will discuss work on an ongoing VPR-funded project highlighting a new project that uses the latest large language models to measure techniques of statutory interpretation across 100 years of opinions by the Supreme Court.
Michael Gavin, Ph.D. & Bryant Walker Smith, LLM / Faculty Presenters
4:20-5 p.m. — AI Test Drives
See AI in action as three faculty presenters demonstrate new tools they are actively using in their work. Presenters and featured technologies will be announced soon.
5-6 p.m. — Opening Reception (Close-Hipp Corner Suite)
Join attendees and speakers for an evening of networking and conversation as we kick off Innovation Week.
Nov. 11 – Spur Summit
University Conference Center | Close-Hipp Building, 8th Floor
8-9 a.m. — Coffee, Continental Breakfast and Registration
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Opening Keynote
9-10 a.m.
Internationally recognized speaker and The Transformation Economy: Guiding Customers to Achieve Their Aspirations author Joseph Pine II will open the Spur Summit with an exploration of how organizations create greater value through meaningful, memorable experiences. Drawing on his work across hospitality, tourism, retail, healthcare, and technology, Pine will examine experience innovation, authenticity, and transformation, and what it takes to place human experience at the center of strategy and long-term growth.
Joseph Pine II / Author, Speaker and Management Advisor
10-10:15a.m. — Morning Break
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Matt Rogers + 2028 LA Olympics Special Guests
10:15-11 a.m.
Join Matt Rogers, Chief Growth Officer of presenting sponsor Aramark Collegiate Hospitality, and 2028 LA Olympic Special Guests for a conversation on hospitality, innovation and creating memorable experiences.
Matt Rogers // Chief Growth Officer, Aramark Collegiate Hospitality
11-11:15a.m. — Break
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Tourism Track Session
11:15 a.m.-noon
Continue the tourism track with Suzy Ross and a presentation focused on innovation and emerging opportunities within the tourism industry.
Suzy Ross, Ph.D. / Transformation Integration -
Retail Track Session
11:15 a.m.-noon
Continue the retail track with Dr. Fadia Nordtveit and a presentation focused on innovation and change within the retail landscape.
Fadia Nordtveit, Ph.D. / Professor, New York University
Noon-1 p.m. — Networking Lunch & Innovation Grant Poster Sessions
Explore projects from Innovation Grant winners and speak directly with presenters about their ideas, research, and findings.
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Tourism Panel
1-2 p.m.
Join Duane Parrish, Director of the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, and leaders from tourism and retail as they explore changing consumer expectations, industry trends, emerging opportunities and the ideas shaping future growth.
Duane Parrish / Director of SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism
2-2:15 p.m. — Afternoon Break
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Tourism Track Session
2:15-3 p.m.
Join Jake Haupert for a tourism-focused presentation examining current ideas, challenges, and opportunities shaping the visitor economy.
Jake Haupert / Tourism -
Retail Track Session
2:15-3 p.m.
Join Tim Ceci for a retail-focused presentation exploring current trends, changing customer expectations, and opportunities for innovation.
Tim Ceci / Retail -
Closing Keynote
3-4 p.m.
Polar explorer, citizen scientist and storyteller Sunniva Sorby will close the Spur Summit with a powerful exploration of courage, purpose and action in a changing world. Drawing on more than three decades of expeditions, including reaching the South Pole with the first all-women team and spending 19 months overwintering in the Arctic, Sorby will share how resilience, curiosity and connection to the natural world can help people navigate uncertainty, lead with heart and turn awe into meaningful action.
Sunniva Sorby / Translator of Extremes ,TEDx Speaker, Founder, Climate Communicator -
Closing Remarks
Michael Sagas, Ed.D. / Dean, College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management
Nov. 12 & 13 – SEVT Conference
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
Head to the official SEVT website for more details.
