Rising Energy in Hospitality

The Springfield area is entering a major tourism boom driven by new developments and milestone celebrations. Local tourism leaders project that 2026 will be a standout year, thanks to the opening of Scheels Sports Park and the centennial celebration of Route 66 expected to potentially draw up to a million visitors to the region.

“Business in Springfield is going to be growing over the next four to five years,” says Darin Dame with Legacy Hospitality. “Amazon opened a facility in 2025, and there are more warehouses planned. Springfield, being positioned on Interstates 55 and 72, is in a great location with great potential.”

That growth is already taking shape. According to Visit Springfield, local tourism supported 4,819 hospitality jobs and generated $581 million in visitor spending in 2024. Hospitality is a service-based industry that is focused on providing memorable experiences. It includes hotels, restaurants, travel, tourism, events and entertainment. With a rising demand, the region needs a steady pipeline of trained hospitality professionals to support and sustain this momentum.

Meeting the need

Lincoln Land Community College’s hospitality program is helping meet that need head-on, equipping students with essential, real-world skills — including front-of-house and back-of-house operations, customer service, event logistics, revenue management and leadership.

"Our partners in the hospitality industry have shared the need for hospitality leadership,” says Sheridan Lane, program director, hospitality and culinary. “We hear stories of employees in the hospitality industry performing notably well and earning promotions, but without having the leadership skill set, some quickly meet frustration and even leave the industry altogether.”

Lane explains that LLCC’s hospitality program is designed to instill leadership skills so businesses can retain their best employees and create strong internal promotion pathways.

LLCC offers stackable credential options, including a hospitality professional certificate of completion, a hospitality supervisor certificate of achievement and, when combined with an internship and some general education courses, an associate in applied science (AAS) degree in hospitality management.

“Students in our program learn people management skills and leadership, and come out with a financial understanding of business operations,” explains Lane.

A heart for customer service

For Ella Scheuer, a second-year student in the AAS hospitality program, the financial side of hospitality has been one of the most valuable components. “We learned to calculate the costs of goods, labor and operating expenses. That determines how much to charge guests to make the bottom line.”

Scheuer currently interns with Arlington’s and Cured Catering, where she helps prepare and execute catering events, ensuring seamless, top-tier service.

“I enjoy the flow of hospitality,” explains Scheuer. “I like the atmosphere and being able to interact with customers to make a connection. I honestly like helping people.”

She first discovered her passion for customer service while working at a local coffee and bakery shop. While exploring educational options, LLCC stood out. “The program was more affordable, but I was also excited about working alongside the culinary program and incredible chefs and instructors.”

Balancing work and school was a priority, so to accommodate her unpredictable catering schedule, she completed most of her coursework online — a flexible option built into the program.

Scheduled for success

LLCC hospitality classes are intentionally structured for working industry professionals. Courses are offered online and in person on Mondays and Tuesdays, typically the least busy days in hospitality, making it easier for students to keep their jobs while advancing their education. 

Dame notes that the industry’s rapid growth means the pathway to advancement is faster than ever. “The increased earning potential allows hourly employees to move up quickly. Paired with an associate degree, those employees can move swiftly into management positions,” he says.

A bright future

“Hospitality is a career that can go anywhere,” Dame adds. “No matter where you move, there will be rewarding opportunities.”

Scheuer agrees. She dreams of one day working onboard a cruise ship, but for now, she’s enjoying the dynamic nature of the industry. “It’s different every day,” she says.

With major economic drivers on the horizon and job opportunities continuing to grow, LLCC is well positioned to prepare students for rewarding careers while supporting a vibrant regional economy.