Rosen College faculty and staff were recently treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Amway Center.  Home of the Orlando Magic, this stunning facility seats nearly 20,000 and is the ideal venue for concerts, sporting and special events alike.  With such a unique venue in the Central Florida community, it’s no surprise that Rosen students have partnered with the Magic as part-time premium guest service representatives to gain both internship credit and unique career experience.

The Amway Center is one-of-a-kind, featuring event spaces such as the Chairman’s Suite presented by the Ritz-Carlton Destination Club, All-Star Decks, Silver Suites, Jernigan’s Restaurant and the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge.  Located on the Event Level, the Mercedes-Benz Star Lounge grants courtside and superstar season ticket holders access to dining, entertainment and a little bit of ‘magic,’ as Magic players dash past the lounge and onto the court at the beginning of each home game.

There are approximately 50 part-time premium guest service representatives (several of whom are current Rosen students) that provide exceptional service to patrons on any given night at the Amway Center.  They assist by greeting guests, giving special attention to VIP needs and amending ticketing issues that may arise.  During the “line-up,” managers on duty and team leaders delegate assignments for the night, communicating special requests from season ticket holders.

“Our part-time guest service representatives are responsible for delivering a premium experience to our season ticket holders, and we rely heavily on their assistance.  Without them, Magic games would not be as successful,” explains Premium Services Manager Isabelle Poette-Chang.

The Amway Center caters to businesses, professional organizations and the local community by also offering numerous customizable suites.  Fully furnished and complete with concierge services, these suites combine elegance and hospitality in a unique way.

The upcoming season will be the sixth for Kristyn Rogers, premium suites specialist for the Orlando Magic and Rosen College alumna.  She began her career as a part-time premium services representative during her junior year of college.  Graduation brought with it a full-time opportunity as a premium sales assistant, and Rogers was quickly promoted to her current position.

Her favorite aspect of the job is building relationships with suite holders, season ticket holders and corporate partners that have supported the Magic from day one.  “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have had the opportunity to open the Amway Center with such an amazing group of people,” she confirms.

A former student athlete and true sports fanatic, Rogers found the Magic to be a perfect fit.  Completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Hospitality Management, complemented with minors in Marketing and Spanish, Rogers demonstrates her passion for professionalism every day in her current position.

“Not only do I represent the Orlando Magic, I represent UCF and the Rosen College on a daily basis. Being a professional and service-minded individual is not something that was created at UCF, but it was definitely polished there, and I’m appreciative for that,” she notes.

The Orlando Magic also boasts a successful internship program, offering over 15 different internship opportunities in a variety of departments.  Even Vice President of Premium Sales and Client Services Bobby Bridges, who has been with the Orlando Magic for 15 seasons, began his career as an intern.

The Rosen College curriculum requires students to complete three paid internships prior to graduation.  To learn more about our internship opportunities, please visit https://hospitality.ucf.edu/students/current-students/internships/.  To learn more about opportunities with the Orlando Magic, please visit: http://www.orlandomagiccareers.com.