Hospitality and tourism management graduate is executive director

Lorelei Weimer, Executive Director of the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission

Fifteen years ago, Lorelei Weimer accepted a three-month paid internship at the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission in Chesterton. Today, she is the executive director. She moved up the ranks, having held five positions there.

"I oversee our organization and ensure we are meeting our strategic goals," said Weimer, who earned a bachelor's degree in hospitality and tourism management at Purdue Calumet in 1991. "As a CVB (Convention and Visitors Bureau), we are considered specialized economic development, because we market our destination to encourage people, not only to visit us, but also to expand their stay during their visit, which brings new dollars into our communities.

"Purdue University Calumet has been instrumental in my success," she said. "First, the university gave me an excellent educational foundation with my hospitality and tourism management degree. Second, Purdue Calumet assisted me in finding a position upon graduation by helping me get my foot in the door. It was then up to me to carve out my future. Last, throughout the years I have looked to my professors for advice, and to this day, I am still working with these same professors, which is awesome."