Johnathan Benko Interned at the Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau

2015 Sep 24

Ashland resident Johnathan Benko, a junior hospitality management major at Ashland University, served as an intern this summer for the Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

Alongside his supervisor Amber Dobbins, he managed the Visitor Information Center by checking it weekly and ensuring that the location looked presentable. Benko also worked the front desk, which allowed him to interact with visitors and local businesses. He would address questions or concerns about upcoming events or specific attractions.

Benko completed three major projects with the Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau. The first project was helping to gather information about the annual meeting. Benko reached out to current members of the Convention and Visitor's Bureau and inquired about whether they would be attending. He also assembled name tags, set up the tables and placed programs or other pamphlets on the tables.

The second project Benko participated in was preparing for bulk mailings. He prepared the packets to be mailed out, as well as gathering and sorting the labels. His final project was assisting in the membership renewal process. Benko contacted new businesses to request information about them for promotional packets. Following that, he would prepare the packets to be sent out.

The Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau works with local businesses and other attractions in order to promote the area to visitors and members of the community.

When asked how AU classes helped prepare him for the internship, Benko said, "I feel that I was able to come prepared to my internship since the classes at AU allowed me to learn more about the industry before actually entering. I was also able to understand the financial aspect of the company more clearly since I have taken courses that focus on the financial aspect of business at AU."

During the internship, Benko learned that the preparation time for a meeting or mailing is lengthy. He also learned that it is imperative to reach out to guests and visitors of events to ensure that they give feedback.

Benko said, "I feel that my internship has allowed me to learn more about interpersonal skills and how important it is to carry yourself in a professional manner. My internship has also allowed me to work on conveying my thoughts more clearly to others who may not understand what I am trying to share. I have also increased my ability to use the resources around me to produce solutions to problems that come my way."

The internship has allowed Benko to take a closer look and focus on what he wants to do within the hospitality industry. He has learned skills that can be applied to many different fields and he has realized that he would like to focus more on event planning or coordinating events.

After graduation, Benko plans to maintain the job he currently holds and obtain a full-time position in event coordinating. He has considered the idea of graduate school. Benko also hopes to return to the Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitor's Bureau to help with any special events or particular needs.

Benko, who is the son of Thomas and Constance Benko of Ashland, is a 2013 graduate of Cuyahoga Heights School.

Ashland University, ranked in the top 200 colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report's National Universities category for 2016, is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students. ###