Catherine F Davin (she/her)


Associate Professor College of Hospitality & Business Hospitality Providence

Biography and Expertise

Katie Davin fell in love with hospitality when she was very young, helping her parents entertain guests. After getting some real experience working for a caterer when she was a teenager, Davin decided to pursue a B.S. in Hotel Administration. During her college years, she was a pastry chef at the on-campus hotel, and she worked in private club management during the summers.

After graduating from Cornell University, Davin worked for Marriott International in catering services and then group sales.

While helping to train several new colleagues, she realized that she had a skill for training and education, so she returned to Cornell and earned a master of science degree so that she would be qualified to teach. It was the right decision, as Davin loves helping students master their skills and knowledge.

Davin stays connected to the hospitality industry through her service on the Sales Advisory Board for Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).

Education

MS
Cornell University

BS
Cornell University

Certified in Hospitality Business Acumen
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International

Certified Digital Marketing Professional
American Marketing Association and Digital Marketing Institute

Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA)
American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute

Certified Hotel Sales Leader
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International

Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE)
American Hotel & Lodging Association

Game Changer
Johnson & Wales University Athletics

Sales Educator of the Year
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International – Americas

“We can keep a secret out here’: What would it take for Taylor Swift’s wedding to happen in Rhode Island?” (Newspaper)
Boston Globe
September 8, 2025
https://www.bostonglobe.com/

Checking In with Katie Davin (Podcast)
Hospitality with Purpose: Hospitable with Nick & Dean
October 3, 2024
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hwp-hospitable-w-nick-dean-s4-e3-checking-in-w-katie-davin/id1625789114?i=1000671689768

Consumer Alert: Help with Travel Refunds (TV)
NBC 10
July 17, 2020
https://turnto10.com/news/local/consumer-alert-help-with-travel-refunds

Hotel university leaders talk massive change since COVID 19 shutdown (Internet)
No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman
April 29, 2020
https://novacancynews.com/

When your home is the home for the holidays (Radio)
Steve Klamkin’s Saturday Morning News Show, WPRO 630AM/99.7FM
December 2, 2017
https://www.997wpro.com/

Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International

Davin, C. & Muety, S.
Building a commercial glossary GMs will actually use
HSMAI Insights

Davin, C.
“What do you mean I have to share a bed with my wife?”: Managing an angry group of hotel guests
Sage Business Cases

Davin, C.
The Hotel Sales Leadership Playbook: Winning Strategies for Success
HSMAI Academy
1

Davin, C.
How are you engaging your sales team?
HSMAI Insights
Republished on Hotel News 7-8-2024 https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article132235.html

Davin, C.
You Ruined My Daughter’s Wedding”: Post-purchase Dissatisfaction with an Intangible Product
Sage Business Cases

Davin, C.
Hospitality Icon Roger Dow Offers Advice to Students
Johnson & Wales University News

Davin, C.
Seven Ways to Improve Sales Efficiency
Insights

Davin, C.
What will travel look like in 2023?
JWU News

Davin, C.
How to communicate with customers in a changing environment
Insights

Davin, C.
Flexibility, Choice, & Control: What Options Are You Giving Your Guests?
Hotel Business Review

Davin, C.
Innovation and Optimism at the 2021 Hospitality Summit
JWU News

Davin, C. & Zacchilli, P.
Best Personality Types for the Hospitality Industry
JWU News

Davin, C.
Higher Expectations Await Hotel Managers
GoLocalProv

Davin, C.
Guest Service in the 2020s and Beyond: The New Moments of Truth
Hotel Executive

Davin, C.
6 Reasons to Pursue a Career in the Hospitality Industry
JWU News

Davin, C.
How to attract future hospitality talent
HSMAI Insights

Interpreting and Implementing JWU’s Scholarship Standard
Oral Presentation
Post-Commencement Faculty Programming
Johnson & Wales University
Online – Virtual

Interpreting and implementing JWU’s New Scholarship Standard
Oral Presentation
University Scholarship & Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
Friedman Center – Harborside Academic Center
Providence
RI
United States

Leveraging the Power of AI to Enhance Careers and the Guest Experience
Panel Moderation
Hospitality Summit
Johnson & Wales University College of Hospitality Management
JWU Culinary Amphitheater
Providence
RI

“You Ruined My Daughter’s Wedding”: Post-purchase Dissatisfaction Case Study
Roundtable Discussion
University Scholarship and Best Practices Expo
Johnson & Wales University
The Friedman Center, JWU
Providence
RI
United States

Pitch Perfect: Making the Sale in Hospitality
Oral Presentation
National Fall Leadership Conference
Future Business Leaders of America
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence
RI
United States

Pitch Perfect: Making the Sale in Hospitality
Oral Presentation
National Fall Leadership Conference
Future Business Leaders of America
Rhode Island Convention Center
Providence
RI
United States

Leverage STRENGTHS, Not Skills, to Drive Results from Your Team
Panel Moderation
HSMAI Recovery Connections
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
Virtual