Boston University School of Hospitality Administration launches the Inaugural 2025 Hospitality Real Estate Competition
(March 7, 2025) Boston, MA – Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is proud to announce the launch of the inaugural national 2025 Hospitality Real Estate Competition. Student teams from undergraduate and graduate hospitality and real estate programs at universities across the US will compete to win $25K in cash prizes and over $1M (one million dollars) in scholarships to BU School of Hospitality’s Master of Science in Hospitality Real Estate program, the first in the US that is housed in a hospitality school. Student teams are required to create development and financial plans for a development site in Boston. The competition aims to foster innovation and creativity among the next generation of leaders.
The Hospitality Real Estate Competition provides students a unique opportunity to showcase their knowledge of real estate, and apply research, analytical, and problem-solving skills in a real-world setting as a developer. Additionally, this competition facilitates learning for participants through classes conducted by industry leaders. The teams that reach the Finals will present their development plans to a panel of experts at the Hospitality Real Estate Symposium on April 2, 2025 at BU’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences (665 Commonwealth Avenue).
A Competitive National Field
The inaugural competition has attracted 21 teams and nearly 100 students from 17 universities, including:
- Auburn University
- Boston University
- Florida International University
- Georgetown University Masters in Real Estate
- Georgetown University McDonough School of Business
- Michigan State University
- NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate
- Oklahoma State University
- San José State University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- University of Colorado Boulder
- University of Tennessee, Knoxville
- The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
- University of Utah
- The University of Virginia’s College at Wise
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
“The hospitality real estate industry is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by technological advancements, evolving consumer behaviors, and new investment strategies,” said Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of Boston University School of Hospitality Administration. “This competition is designed to cultivate the next generation of industry leaders—strategic thinkers who can innovate and solve complex challenges. With over one million dollars in scholarships to BU SHA’s Master of Science in Hospitality Real Estate, program, BU SHA is making a bold commitment to shaping the future of hospitality real estate.”
“Our goal is to provide students with hands-on learning experiences that mirror real-world challenges while offering mentorship from top industry professionals,” said Kaushik Vardharajan, Associate Professor of the Practice and Director of the Real Estate Program at BU SHA. “This competition not only expands students’ analytical and problem-solving skills but also connects them with experts who can guide them as they launch their careers.”
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Location: Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences , 665 Commonwealth Ave., Boston,
Registration and Sponsorship Opportunities: Hospitality Real Estate Symposium
2025 Hospitality Real Estate Symposium Sponsors*
BU School of Hospitality Administration is grateful for the generous support from:
- Silver Sponsor: Sherin and Lodgen
- Supporter HEI Hotels
*Sponsor List is current as of 3/6/25
About Boston University School of Hospitality
For more than 40 years, Boston University’s School of Hospitality has been cultivating the next generation of leaders of the multibillion-dollar hospitality industry. The Boston University School of Hospitality, in collaboration with hospitality industry leaders is redefining hospitality as Experience Innovation. Our focus is on optimizing human interaction by innovating experiences that are employee, customer, investor, and business driven. Boston University School of Hospitality offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs (several of which are STEM-designated). From experience management to hospitality real estate and beyond, our academic programs challenge students to become Experience Innovators for hotels, restaurants, travel and tourism, healthcare enterprises, retail and luxury brands, sports and entertainment venues, and any organization where hospitality can be strategically applied to help establish lasting and meaningful relationships. Learn more about Boston University’s School of Hospitality and Experience Innovation by visiting bu.edu/hospitality.