Acsenda School of Management is very proud to announce that the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) and Hospitality Upgrade are honoured to announce Zaira Valls as the recipient of the 2025 John Cahill Student Seat for this year’s CIO Summit. This distinguished recognition is awarded annually to one exceptional student from a hospitality program who demonstrates academic excellence, leadership, and a passion for innovation in hospitality technology.
Zaira, an outstanding student in the Bachelor of Hospitality Management program at Acsenda School of Management in British Columbia, was selected for her academic focus on AI and automation in front desk operations, her leadership and start of mentoring for Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality (WORTH) Association, and her consistent academic achievements. HFTP and Hospitality Upgrade are excited to welcome her to the 2025 CIO Summit, taking place Sept. 3–5 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, where more than 70 CIOs from the hospitality industry are expected to attend.
HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE said, “Each year, the selection process for the John Cahill Honorary Seat becomes more competitive, with an impressive pool of students from top hospitality programs around the world. Choosing just one recipient is never easy, but Zaira Valls truly stands out. Her strong academic record, creative use of technology, and clear drive as a leader made her an exceptional choice. She embodies the spirit of this award, and we’re thrilled to recognize her as the 2025 recipient.”
Dr. Thomas Gomes, director of the BHM Program, also praised her achievements, “With her drive, creativity, and commitment, Zaira Valls is poised to become a future leader in the global hospitality industry.”
The previous recipients of this award include inaugural recipient Spencer Rung, a 2016 graduate of the Penn State School of Hospitality Management; the 2017 recipient, Andrew Trupia, a graduate of the University of Nevada – Las Vegas; the 2018 recipient Juan Jesus Trevino, a student of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Houston; the 2019 recipient, Smit Patel a graduate student of the Boston University School of Hospitality Administration program; the 2021 recipient was Alana Agcaoili, an undergraduate student of the Kennesaw State University School of Hospitality Administration; the 2022 recipient was Shannon Regan, an undergraduate student of the NAU School of HRM in the W. A. Franke College of Business; the 2023 recipient was Dylan Emerson, an undergraduate student of the Conrad Hilton College at the University of Houston; and the 2024 recipient was Andrew Pham, undergraduate student from UNLV.
This year, 2025, the recipient is Zaira Valls, a Bachelor of Hospitality Management (BHM) Program undergraduate third-year student from Acsenda School of Management. 2025 John Cahill Student Seat for this year’s CIO Summit project was nominated and mentored by Dr. Thomas Gomes-Director of the Bachelor of Hospitality Management (BHM) Program. This is a very significant success for the BHM program team and for the Acsenda School of Management, Vancouver.
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