Inspiring the Future of Hospitality with DREAM Alive
- Hendricks Commercial Properties
- Oct 28, 2025
- 2 min read
Working in hospitality means living hospitality, truly showing care and kindness in every interaction, on and off the clock. Bottleworks Hotel recently took a step in becoming much more than a hotel by hosting the DREAM Alive scholars for a career field trip, offering them a first-hand look at the many ways a hotel operates and the wide range of careers that bring it to life.
The DREAM Alive is a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty by helping students discover career paths and providing mentorship. Many of these scholars face daily challenges that shape their outlook on education and the future, challenges which DREAM Alive works tirelessly to overcome. Bottleworks Hotel was honored to play even a small part in that.
During the field trip, about 20 middle schoolers from Longfellow Middle School spent the afternoon exploring Bottleworks through interactive, small-group sessions with various departments, including Lodging, Housekeeping, Sales, Events, Marketing and Food & Beverage. Students got to cook alongside Chef Chris, learned the art of room prep with housekeeping, designed mini brand campaigns with Marketing, helped with event prep and even experienced work at the front desk.
“I was overwhelmed by the kindness, compassion and excitement that I saw in all of the Bottleworks staff,” said Jill Patrick, Volunteer Engagement Director at DREAM Alive Inc. “They didn’t just show up, they jumped in with both feet! This was truly a once in a lifetime experience for many of our scholars.”
The day wrapped up with a panel featuring hospitality managers to talk about their career paths, education and training and what their job is like overall, answering any questions and giving advice to the kids. The panel was followed by a gathering of everyone enjoying the food that the kids made themselves.
