Dr. Kristin Malek, or Dr. K as she is known by her students, has nearly two decades in hospitality and event management experience. Most recently she served as the Executive Director of Events for a third party planning company in Las Vegas where she was in charge of the medical association meeting market. In this role she managed association events greater than one million dollars and led a team of staff and interns. She has received many recognitions for her work to include the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) as a Hospitality Hero during National Travel and Tourism week for both 2014 and 2015, by Meetings Today Magazine as a Top 20 Meetings Industry Trendsetter for 2016, was recognized as an Emerging Leader of the Year for PCMA Heartland Chapter in 2018, won the Excellence in Extension (Individual - Impact) award and the Omtvedt Innovation award both in 2020, and most recently won both the International Excellence in Teaching and Training Award from ICHRIE and the Bob Dallmeyer Educator of the Year Award (IAEE) in 2022. She has achieved designations as a Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), Certified Event Designer (CED), Digital Event Strategist (DES), and Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE). Prior to becoming faculty, Dr. K received her Master’s Degree in International Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of South Carolina and her PhD in Hospitality Administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.