Appendix 3 – About the Authors
Alice L. McLean, MA, PhD
Since earning her PhD in English literature, Alice has worked as an educator, scholar, and editor. Her research and writing cover a range of interdisciplinary fields, including food studies, environmental studies, American studies, and gender studies. She has 20 years of experience teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate levels and is currently at work on her fifth book, which explores America’s relationship with nature from pre-contact up through the Rights of Nature movement. In 2020, she founded Idea into Word, an editorial service for scholars and academic publishers, which specializes in guiding authors from concept through to polished manuscript.
She hopes readers come away from Introduction to Hospitality inspired by the dynamic nature of the industry, its promising future, and the variety of ever-expanding roles available within the field for individuals seeking a professional career.
Meagan A. McGuire, M.A., C.D.M.E.
Meagan McGuire is the Senior Vice President of Business Development for Explore Seattle Southside, the regional destination marketing organization for the cities of Des Moines, SeaTac and Tukwila in Washington State. She leads an exceptional team that develops effective strategies to promote the destination to group leaders and meeting planners, ensuring business growth for Seattle Southside’s hospitality and tourism businesses. Prior to this role, Meagan assisted group leaders and meeting planners with tours and events for The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington.
With a Master of Arts degree in Anthropology from Washington State University and 20 years’ experience in the tourism industry, Meagan approaches her work through a social science lens. From psychographics to storytelling, tourism marketing is best achieved through studying people and culture. Understanding travel and tourism, a significant component of what makes us human, is an anthropological pursuit.
In 2019, Meagan was accredited with a CDME (Certified Destination Management Executive) from Destinations International. In 2023, she was awarded a Smart Women in Meetings Visionary Award from Smart Meetings International.
Angela Senter, CMP
Angela discovered her passion for event management while working as an activities director in health care. That experience taught her how powerful well-planned events can be in changing lives. Today, she is the event manager for the Carson College of Business at Washington State University, where she plans and executes more than 200 events and meetings each year. That includes everything from small student events to major industry conferences and large fundraising galas.
Alongside her event work, she also teaches event management courses at WSU and serves as the lead faculty member for the Event Management minor program. She loves blending her real-world experience in live and hybrid events with classroom instruction and mentoring students as they find their own place in the industry.
She holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in teaching from WSU, as well as her Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) credential through the Events Industry Council. She is deeply passionate about helping shape the next generation of event professionals. To her, the hospitality industry is one of the most exciting, rewarding, and ever-evolving fields out there.
She hopes this textbook gives you practical insights and fresh inspiration as you take your next steps in the world of events.