CoStar Group’s SHARE Center crowns winners of four Student Market Study Competitions

WASHINGTON – In its continued worldwide support of hospitality, tourism and real estate higher education, CoStar Group’s SHARE Center held four student market competitions in November 2024.

In total, 44 teams of three to six students, with the assistance of their faculty advisors, selected a market and were provided with a standard set of reports and data. Each competition was held via Zoom, with senior level industry professionals serving on the panels of judges.

We were thrilled to host our 10th annual Student Market Study Competitions. It was evident how much hard work and many hours that the students put in to analyzing the vast amount of data and information. Offering brilliant insights, each team represented themselves, their program, and their school with honor and distinction. Duane Vinson, director of the CoStar Group SHARE Center

Read more on each competition below, with more quotes from faculty advisors and students who participated in the events.

STR & ICHRIE Asia Pacific Student Market Study Competition (1 November)

Out of nine teams participating, Far Eastern University Manila (Philippines) achieved first place in this competition.

1. Far Eastern University Manila, Philippines
2. Republic Polytechnic, Singapore
3. Beijing Hospitality Institute, China

Winning team: Zoe Vera Acain, Hannah April Dayrit, John Ace Ren-Mar T. Hitosis, Learah Grace C. Magboo, Laurensia Renny Wibisono, and Reanne Nicole Tangalin

Faculty Advisor: Ryan Joseph Calinao

The STR & ICHRIE Asia Pacific and Global Competitions provided an excellent opportunity for our students to apply their knowledge gained through the CHIA certification from areas such as hotel industry analytics, covering both geographical and non-geographical categories, mathematical fundamentals, benchmarking, interpreting data, and analyzing performance reports. It proved to be an enriching experience for both the advisor and the students, fostering a collaborative learning environment. Ryan Joseph Calinao, faculty advisor at FEU Manila

STR & ICHRIE EMEA Student Market Study Competition (8 November)

Winning the STR & ICHRIE EMEA Market Study Competition is truly an honor for us. We appreciate the CoStar Group SHARE Center for organizing the competition and everyone who supported us throughout the process, especially our fellows from CETT-UB. Helena Pérez Pérez, faculty advisor at the CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality, and Gastronomy

CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality, and Gastronomy (Spain) won first place out of seven participating teams.

1. CETT Barcelona School of Tourism, Hospitality, and Gastronomy, Spain
2. EHL, Switzerland
3. Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom

Winning team: Berta Ramos Izard, Qing Shu, Pau Colomer Ayllon

Faculty Advisors: Nehru González Burgos and Helena Pérez Pérez

This achievement motivates us to continue to grow as a future hotelier and leaders in the industry. For future participants, just keep working hard and enjoy the process. Helena Pérez Pérez

STR & ICHRIE Americas Student Market Study Competition (15-16 November)

Competing in the STR & ICHRIE Student Market Study Competition was an incredible learning opportunity that gave me hands-on experience in gathering and analyzing real-world data. Visiting Los Angeles and connecting with industry professionals was a highlight of the competition. It not only allowed me to expand my network but also gave me valuable insights into the hospitality industry that I can apply to my future career. Katheryn Hansen, member of the Utah Valley University team

Among 17 teams participating, Utah Valley University (USA) won.

1. Utah Valley University, USA
2. Virginia Tech University, USA
3. Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla, Mexico

Americas Winning team: Jessica Gorman, Kiran Sumsion, Jordan Morain, Katheryn Hansen, Mattson Thompson, and Lolita Rojas

Faculty Advisors: Marc Brown and Tony Makris

My advice to future competitors is to embrace the challenge. It is an amazing way to gain skills that will set you apart in the industry. Katheryn Hansen

STR & ICHRIE Global Student Market Study Competition (22 November)

Visiting Los Angeles to explore the market firsthand and interviewing industry professionals was an unforgettable experience. It was amazing to see how the data we researched came to life. The competition challenged me to push my analytical skills and gain a better understanding of the hospitality industry's trends, especially the dynamics of independent hotels. Jessica Gorman, member of the Utah Valley University team

Utah Valley University (USA) finished first among eleven participating teams.

1. Utah Valley University, USA
2. Virginia Tech University, USA
3. Beijing Hospitality Institute, China

Global Winning team: Jessica Gorman, Kiran Sumsion, Jordan Morain, Katheryn Hansen, Mattson Thompson, and Lolita Rojas

Faculty Advisors: Marc Brown and Tony Makris

Participating in the STR/AHLEI Market Study Competition was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to dive deep into real data within the hospitality industry. It was an invaluable learning experience, especially being able to travel to Los Angeles, meet with professionals, and verify our findings in the field. This experience has provided me with crucial skills that I can apply directly to my career in the hospitality industry. Jordan Morais, member of the Utah Valley University team

About the CoStar Group SHARE Center

The CoStar Group SHARE (Supporting Hospitality and Real Estate Education) Center supports schools around the globe by providing large volumes of hotel, tourism and real estate data, as well as related resources to professors and students for research, student projects and use in the classroom. The SHARE Center’s objective is to help improve the quality and increase the industry relevance of hospitality, tourism and real estate research and education. Launched in 2011, the SHARE Center has assisted nearly 1,000 schools from 85 countries. If you would like to find out more about the CoStar Group SHARE Center, please email [email protected]. 

Media Contact

Haley Luther

Senior Communications Manager [email protected] +1 (216) 278 0627