<p><span class="p-body">For 35 years, Ronald Naples has brought his industry experience to NYU SPS, shaping the next generation of event and hospitality professionals. His venture into teaching began unexpectedly—while planning corporate events for Viacom, he was asked to step in for a friend’s class. Since then, he has played a pivotal role in developing NYU’s <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/events-and-convention-management.html" target="_blank">Certificate in Events and Convention Management</a> and <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/accelerated-restaurant-management-and-operations.html" target="_blank">Accelerated Restaurant Management and Operations</a> programs.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">With a career including stints at major corporations like American Express, Pfizer, and The World Bank, Naples has seen firsthand how event planning and food and beverage operations go hand in hand. &quot;I sometimes call myself a pioneer, as I grew up with this industry,&quot; he explains. His courses equip students with the tools to manage large-scale events and restaurant operations, emphasizing not just execution but also the ability to demonstrate Return on Investment (ROI) to executives.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">The hospitality and events industries thrive on personal interactions, but technology is reshaping guest experiences.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">His courses integrate these advancements, preparing students to adapt to evolving customer expectations. Naples believes in applied learning, giving students opportunities to work at live events and develop real-world restaurant concepts. His Food and Beverage students design every element of a restaurant, incorporating AI into their final projects. Guest speakers and site visits—including trips to NYC restaurants owned by NYU certificate holders—bring industry insights directly into the classroom.</span></p>

<p><span class="p-body">Naples emphasizes that success in hospitality is about relationships. &quot;Your network is your net worth,&quot; he and his colleagues often tell students, encouraging them to make connections that will support their careers. Whether students aim to manage corporate events, launch a restaurant, or lead in hospitality, his programs provide the foundation to thrive. As he often quotes Gandhi: &quot;Live as if you will die tomorrow, but learn as if you will live forever.&quot;</span></p> <p><span class="p-body">Make your mark on the hospitality industry when you earn a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/events-and-convention-management.html" target="_blank">Certificate in Events and Convention Management</a> or a <a href="/content/sps-nyu/certificates/accelerated-restaurant-management-and-operations.html" target="_blank">Certificate in Restaurant Management and Operations</a> at NYU SPS today.</span></p>