The month of April came to a successful close with Meet Boston’s Third Annual Regional Career Fair which was held at the Hyatt Regency Boston on April 30th. With over 78 employers registered, 557 job seekers, and 1,312 resumes collected, the event was an overwhelming success that exceeded our expectations.  

The full day of activities included a morning welcome panel followed by three professional development workshops, complimentary photo shoots with hair and makeup experts, and a ballroom teamed with eager employers looking for their next top talent.  

This exceptional event was made possible with numerous partnerships and collaborations with community leaders, local organizations, media outlets, and, of course, Meet Boston and their hotel partners. I want to especially thank Tracey Lewis and Ian Karby of Carroll Biel, and the CHA team for their unwavering time and dedication to creating an exceptional event and experience for everyone who attended. 

We’re excited to share some of the highlights of the day below.

As always, thank you for staying connected with CHA.

-Conan Harris

The Career Fair kicked off with a welcome keynote panel moderated by Conan Harris, president & founder of Conan Harris & Associates. The panel featured some of Boston’s most prominent leaders who touched upon the significance of this event to further support Meet Boston’s commitment to their Workforce Development and Supplier Diversity initiatives to provide access to careers in the hospitality and tourism industries. 

"The resounding success of Meet Boston's 2024 Regional Career Fair is a testament to the vibrancy and diversity within the hospitality and tourism industry. This event mirrors Meet Boston's unwavering commitment to diversify the industry, promote socio economic equity, and propel the future generation of diverse hospitality leaders forward. 

With the exceptional collaboration and teamwork of Conan Harris & Associates, we delivered a stellar event that champions inclusivity, fosters collaboration to promote the industry's growth, and reinforces our ongoing efforts in workforce development to ensure a brighter and more equitable future for all."

-Hilina D. Ajakaiye, Executive Vice President of Meet Boston

The event also featured a moderated panel entitled, General Managers of Color In Hospitality & Tourism. Facilitated by James Hills of Java with Jimmy, the conversation focused on the importance of working confidently towards managerial positions with with support from mentors and sponsors, while also participating in professional development opportunities offered by employees. The conversation concluded with sage words of advice from Meagan Carty, corporate director of field operations at Hyatt, who underscored the importance of presenting your authentic self at work and maintaining a healthy work life balance. 

Attendees also participated in our three professional development workshops on key topics to prepare professionals entering the hospitality and tourism industry. Special thanks to Katelyn, Abrigal, and Catherine who shared their professional insights and expertise.

Featured Workshops:

The day’s events also included complimentary professional headshots, makeup and hair sessions by GO MLR.

We continue to make progress with P.A.T.H., Meet Boston’s Workforce Development Initiative, which aims to empower individuals from all backgrounds by offering training opportunities that will improve their skills and enhance their employability. Focusing on raising awareness and filling career opportunities in Greater Boston hotels and tourist attractions remains as our top priority.

Our progress to-date is noted in our current metrics below:

• 30 Host Site Partners 
• 25 Community Organization Partners
• 40 Job applicants
• 40 Job Application Submissions
• 25 Interviews

The Career Fair also gave us an opportunity to enroll new candidates and site partners. Our Director of Workforce Development continues to meet with candidates, community partners, and site partners. To date, CHA has made over 200 contacts with candidates, engaged in over 160 contacts with community and site partners, and held 22 in-person meetings with stakeholders.

Our work is ongoing. Please help us keep up the momentum and share this flyer with your networks and with anyone you know is interested in a career in tourism and hospitality or direct them to this page to apply. 

With the successful career fair behind us, we are shifting our focus on advancing Meet Boston’s Supplier Diversity Initiative. Through the collection of data and identifying key performance metrics, our team can commence the design and planning process of an enhanced Customer Relationship Management (CRM) analytical platform. 

We look forward to working with the Meet Boston team and the Supplier Diversity Office (SDO) to move this initiative forward and create a CRM platform that enables Meet Boston to build stronger customer relationships, streamline processes, and increase sales and profitability for their partners.

This month we’re pleased to feature Task Force member Eneida Roman, president and chief executive officer of AmplifyLatinX.

Roman is a seasoned and highly respected business leader who has gained national recognition for her outstanding contributions to advancing women and Latinos across various sectors. An innovator, attorney, and small business owner for over two decades, she is determined to strengthen the U.S. economy by maximizing the potential of women and communities of color. 

Amplify LatinX leverages our collective resources to drive systemic change through collaborative, partner-driven nonpartisan convenings that build economic and political power.

Click here to learn more about AmplifyLatinX and how the organization amplifies the voices of underserved communities throughout the Commonwealth.

Special shout out to our community partner, The Center For Teen Empowerment, for their support in reaching out to our Boston youth to attend Meet Boston’s Career Fair. 

A nonprofit organization with headquarters in Roxbury MA, and locations in Boston MA, Somerville, MA, and Rochester, NY, they employ, train, and empower youth to create peace, equity, and justice. In collaboration with adults, they bring youth voices to conversations and community decision-making where their voices matter most. 

To learn more about The Center For Teen Empowerment click here.

We’re pleased to welcome three new partners; AKA Hotel, Estella and Legal Seafoods! Thank you for your partnership!



Host Site Partners share their job vacancies to encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. The initial placements will span three months, with the ultimate goal of transitioning individuals into permanent roles, while providing support throughout the process. In addition, we will offer a professional development series to equip participants with essential skills to thrive in the sector.

Our Host Site Partners include:

Would you like to share your expertise and knowledge with the future workforce of the community?

We will be hosting sessions on the following topics:

• Effective Communication
• Time & Project Management 
• Leadership 
• Collaboration & Teamwork
• Stress Management
• DEIB / Cultural Competencies

Contact path@conanharrisassociates.com to get involved.

Thank you for your continued interest in, and support of, the good work CHA continues to drive toward sustainable growth, equity, and power to our communities of color.

To see previous newsletters , click here to check them out. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay informed about the great things happening in our city!

Thank you,

Conan Harris

Founder & Principal