History of the Auction
The Hospitality Management Society (HMS) at Kansas State University established the tradition of the Travel & Dining Auction in 1996 as a fundraiser to help HMS students earn financial support for traveling to regional and national food and lodging conferences. Over the years, the auction has been housed in several locations on campus from Hoffman Lounge in Justin Hall to the Ballroom in the K-State Student Union. The auction then moved to the K-State Alumni Center for three years before outgrowing that space in 2011. In 2012, the auction moved to the Hilton Garden Inn Conference Center at 410 S. 3rd St. in downtown Manhattan, where it will be held again this year.
Since 1996, the auction has grown significantly, providing more funds and more scholarships and learning opportunities for Hotel & Restaurant Management students. In 2003, Club Managers Association of America (CMAA) students joined in helping to organize the auction and to share in the benefits. In 2006, a class was developed to allow students the opportunity to plan the auction and receive credit for their time. Each year, the committee strives to raise more money. In 2007, The Student Dietetic Association (SDA) joined to make the auction more encompassing and to help benefit an even larger amount of students. In 2007, the Travel and Dining Auction attracted over 200 guests and brought in an incredible $18,000! The goal in 2008 was set at $20,000. Remarkably, the auction raised $31,000! In 2010 the auction had gross sales of $29,163.04 and netted $20,371.95 (57%) for the scholarship fund. 2011 proved to be the BEST EVER with gross income of $38,760.23 and net profit of $30,811.89 or 79.49% of the earnings placed into the scholarship foundation fund. In 2012 we had 381 attendees and grossed $36,000 and a net profit of $23,591.89 or 65.5% of the earnings were placed into the scholarship fund.
In 2013, our goal is to have 450 ATTENDEES and earn over $45,000 for the students. We eagerly strive to attract more attendees and donors each year.
