The purpose of the summit is to engage major stakeholders in a conversation about the need for a catalyst to facilitate public -private collaboration to ensure workforce growth and sustainability for the AL/MS Gulf Coast region hospitality and tourism industry. The Summit is proposed and supported by the University of South Alabama Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Advisory Board. The Board consists of industry leaders and experts from various hospitality & tourism industry sectors from Mobile and Baldwin counties, North Lower Alabama, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.