WELCOME
Welcome to the hub for my academic and social entrepreneurship initiatives. Outside of teaching and leadership roles, I am very engaged in a number of projects. In 2013 I launched Hospitalented to bring hospitality and tourism education to a more global audience. In 2019 I developed TeachingMVP, a platform that helps instructors get the help they need to teach at a higher level - specializing in online education. I am also a proud charter member and director of education for the Ghana Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Each trip to Ghana I seek to distribute school supplies, textbooks and STEM Kits to schools.
The following are current projects I am involved with. Frankenstyle and the Tourism Entrepreneurship Workshop are events that took place on February 22, 2023 and will be replicated again soon. All Around Us is my perspective on the Metaverse as it pertains to education, tourism, business and the hospitality / tourism industry.
VOLUNTEERISM & PROJECTS
These are things I am passionate about.
Upcycling Fashion Contest
During my February 2023 trip to Ghana I hosted the inaugural 'Frankenstyle' contest where teams used second hand clothing to create unique pieces. The intent was to give exposure to the millions of clothing items dumped into Ghana every week.
Helping faculty improve online
This is the platform for all things related to online learning where I have created a variety of faculty-specific workshops. Each one addresses specific skills to deliver better online or remote courses.
Education via MicroSD
Most trips to Ghana include the distribution of 50-100 microSD chips loaded with tourism education videos and files. The 'HospiPods' require no internet and very little power, and can be passed on to others. The goal is to give those with less access to education a means for becoming tourism entrepreneurs.
DEI Standards for organizations
As one of the first board members, I helped to create certificate programs such as 'Certified by Travel Unity,' a set of standards that guide organizations to become more welcoming through the prism of DEI.
SCHOLARSHIP
My research ranges from areas of hospitality and tourism, to best practices in online pedagogy. My interests go beyond my "day job" to include cryptocurrencies, blockchain technology, Web 3 / Metaverse, and fashion sustainability. I am excited by the intersections that lead to innovation.
Hospitality & Tourism
- Customer Service Master Class - International Customer Service Summit - Accra, Ghana - October 2022
- The Yes Please Economy - International Customer Service Summit - Accra, Ghana - October 2022
- Importance of Focused and Intense Skill Development - Inter Tourism Expo - Accra, Ghana - September 2021
- Hospitality Infusion: Making hospitals more hospitable – Presented at GLOBE Conference – Istanbul, Turkey – October 2019
- HTM Partnerships with High Schools – presented at GLOBE Conference in Istanbul, Turkey from Sep. 29-October 3, 2019
- Respect for Tourism Jobs: Ghana, West Africa – presented at GLOBE Conference in Istanbul, Turkey from Sep. 29-October 3, 2019
Cryptocurrencies & Metaverse
- Africa Web3 Summit Panelist "Africa Powered by Web3" A conversation around impact of Web3 on the continent - opportunities and challenges. I spoke about opportunity for engagement through concept of fractional shares of NFTs to propel tourism. February 2023
- Web 3.0 Accra Panelist "Crypto Heroes" A discussion of ways in which cryptocurrencies have been championed in different industries. I focused on education and tourism. July 2022
Online Learning
Convincing Colleagues that Online Graduate Students Need More (of everything!) - presented at 2023 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting, Auburn, AL - March 2023
- Video Killed the Radio Star? – presented at 2022 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting - Auburn, AL - March 2022
- Working with OPMs to Deliver Relationship-Rich Education – presented at 2022 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting - Auburn, AL - March 2022
- Creating Another Layer of Support for Faculty – presented at 2021 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting - March 2021
- HyFlex: Good for students, Good for teachers? – presented at 2021 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting - March 2021
- The Personality Tree: Being Yourself in Online Teaching – presented at 2020 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting, Spartanburg, SC - March 2020
- Beyond Learning Objectives: The Fertilizer for Online Pedagogy – presented at 2020 Southern Regional Faculty and Instructional Development Consortium (SRFIDC) annual meeting, Spartanburg, SC - March 2020
Social Entrepreneurship
- The Path to Ghana: A curated guide for those committed to developing the tourism ecosystem of Ghana and other amazing countries – Based on my doctoral research and infusing what I've learned from other tourism economies around the world, I am writing a book for the tourism industry in Ghana. This is a project intended to improve the accessibility of Ghana for those that are unfamiliar. It is also a blueprint for tourism in developing countries and emerging nations.
COLLABORATE
If you would like to collaborate somehow, please use the links to connect with me or send me an email. -- Damien L. Duchamp, Ed.D
MEETINGS
How can I help?
If we should meet to discuss a problem of some kind, the quickest way to make that happen is to contact me via email above.
INTERVIEWS
Have a story to tell?
I'm always looking to create good content for my students. Whether you come to class or we do the interview in a studio, this is where we start.
RESEARCH
What can we learn?
I am interested in how hospitality and tourism can impact economies. I am also captivated by the use of audio in online learning.
College Readiness & Field Trips
One of the things I enjoy doing is planning events and activities that help young people better understand the hospitality and tourism industry. Here are some highlights.
TWA Hotel
Reinventing an Iconic Structure
Union Square Hospitality Group
Career Pathways for Hospitality
Emma's Torch
Empowering Refugees Through Culinary Education
The ACC Tournament
Sports Management Done Right
Makers Roundtable
Beverages & Condiments: Sharing the Special Sauce
Lower Manhattan Hospitality
Post 9-11 Hospitality
Consulting + Coaching
When I'm not teaching I work with a variety of entities in and out of the hospitality/tourism industry. If I can't help you I'll find someone who can. Here's a sample of areas I have experience in:
- Menu design (stars not dogs)
- Staff recruitment (the good ones)
- Merchandising
- Bar management
- Marketing plans
- Special events
- Franchise development
- POS systems
- Website development
- Social media marketing
- Secret dining (fresh eyes!)
- Operating manuals
Consulting
Feedback
Let me spend some time inside your business to provide feedback on how you can improve. I provide 'fresh eyes' and can identify areas for improvement.
Coaching
Hands-On
A step further is to help you and your team get better. I will roll up my sleeves to provide training and coaching so that your team operates at a higher level.
