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Boston University Global Hospitality Real Estate Competition

Taking the University of Utah to an international stage

Join a world-class competition at the University of Boston where student teams tackle real investment challenges, present to industry leaders, and gain hands-on experience in hospitality real estate strategy.

Program Overview

The J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute offers several ways for students interested in gaining hospitality and tourism analytics experience. These programs are designed to provide industry exposure, networking opportunities, project-based learning, scholarships, and often paid travel.

To be competitive, it is anticipated that most undergraduate students will apply to participate in the programs outlined in this document during their junior year for involvement during their senior year. Graduate students who studied a related field at the undergraduate level (e.g. MRED students who did a business bachelor’s degree) or have worked significantly in the field they are now studying in their graduate studies, may be eligible to participate upon enrollment into their program of study. Those graduate students who are looking to develop or significantly expand their knowledge and capabilities with their area of study would likely be better served with waiting until they have 15 graduate credits completed prior to applying to participate in the programs described below.

Those lacking the knowledge or experience outlined above, who still desire to get involved with the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute are encouraged to get involved in other Institute programs and participate in Institute events.

About the Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition Team

This is a real estate development competition open to graduate and undergraduate University of Utah students.  The Institute sponsors teams of 3 students for both the undergraduate and graduate divisions. Students are provided a development case in mid-January that includes information about the proposed development site and characteristics.  Project submissions often include mix-use development with a hotel anchor.  Teams have three weeks to submit their vision for the development project (stage one).  Students further develop their proposed concept including financials, valuation, and feasibility analysis, for semi-final submissions by mid-March.  Teams who advance will present their project at the finals in Boston in mid-April at the Hospitality Real Estate Symposium.

Hear from the spring 2025 team about what this competition meant to them and their careers:

Presentation Opportunities

Students participating in teams are typically expected to present their findings at one or more event. This may be to a client, competition judges, or to the broader community through Institute sponsored events or partner events. Below are examples of events that team participants may present at.

  • J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute Industry Nights
  • Park City Area Lodging Association (PCALA) meetings
  • Public clients: Destination Management Organizations (DMOs), local governments, or university administrators
  • Private clients: local or national developers or tourism organizations meetings
  • Utah Tourism Industry Association (UTIA) Tourism Conference or Utah Hotel and Lodging Association events
  • Visit Salt Lake events
  • Hospitality Rising Summit breakout sessions

Student teams are expected to produce near consultant quality deliverables with the support of an advisor or an advisory team.

Qualifications & Program Benefits

To be considered for this competition team, applicants must have completed the Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA), offered by CoStar.  For the spring 2026 competition, this certification must be successfully completed within the first two weeks for the competition (by January 31st). For the spring 2027 competition, students may submit the application before completing the certification, but the application will be considered pending until they provide proof of successful completion of the CHIA exam. Note, the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute offers scholarships to cover the cost of the certification exam. See the CHIA section at the bottom of the page for additional details regarding the CHIA course and exam.

Those selected to participate in this Institute-sponsored competition will be required to travel twice during the semester. First to the subject market (previously Boston) in early March to visit the proposed development site, conduct research, and meet with local professionals to gain insights into the market performance and development landscape.  The second trip will be to Boston in mid-April to present at the competition finals, if selected as a finalist.

All travel expenses will be paid by the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute.  Students selected to compete will receive a $1000 scholarship.  Those who advance to the finals will be eligible for their share of the prize money or scholarships awarded by Boston University.

Although anyone can apply to participate, competitive applicants will likely have capabilities in analytics, finance, real-estate development, or architecture.  Though not required, previous hotel industry experience is beneficial as the anchor of the development is usually a hotel.

Time commitments for this role include a 2-hour weekly meeting beginning in early January through mid-April, ~3 hours per week to complete research and other assigned tasks,  time commitments associated with travel, and additional preparation in the week leading up to events, and the week of each deliverable. Weekly meeting time will be determined prior to final team selection, and are expected to be between 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays.

Application deadlines: Spring 2026 Competition: January 11th, 2026 | Spring 2027 Competition: March 15th, 2026

 

Important Note: This application is for Utah Tourism Analytics, the Boston University Global Hospitality Real Estate Competition, and the CoStar Forecaster Cup Competition. You’ll be asked to select which programs you want to be considered for, so we recommend reviewing each program before applying.

  • The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is the most widely recognized analytics certification in the global hotel industry. Earning the CHIA demonstrates your mastery of hotel performance metrics, benchmarking, revenue analysis, and STR/CoStar data interpretation. This certification is highly valued by major hotel companies, making it a standout advantage on résumés and in job applications.

    The J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute offers a free, online, self-paced CHIA course through Canvas and scholarships to cover the cost of the certification exam to University of Utah students. Inquire with Isabel Corpus to gain access to the Canvas course. Students from other universities are encouraged to check with their institution to see if they cover the ~$145 examination fee.

    Once you have completed the course and have adequately prepared to take the exam, inform Isabel and she will pay the exam fee and provide you with instructions on how to access it. Note, that arranging to take the exam through CoStar can take up to a week and only roughly 60% of students pass the exam on their first attempt. Be sure and give yourself enough time complete the exam prior to the application due date of the program(s) you are applying for. Students have two attempts to pass the exam.

    Learn more about the CHIA

  • The Certification in Advanced Hospitality and Tourism Analytics (CAHTA) is a globally recognized credential designed for those looking to elevate their expertise in data-driven decision-making. Building on the foundational CHIA certification, CAHTA provides rigorous, real-world training across four major types of hotel and tourism research: market studies, event impact analyses, economic analyses, and feasibility studies. The CAHTA certification is highly valued in the hospitality and tourism industry and makes you a great candidate for organizations like hotels, developers, financial advisory firms, and more.

    The certification includes two parts: the course material, with its accompanying exam, and the project.  The course material will be covered in 3 virtual 2-hour sessions held from late April to early May and during the first two days of an in-person workshop anticipated to run from May 18th, 2026, through May 23rd, 2026.  During the workshop, students will cover the remaining course material and complete a condensed market study and feasibility analysis, which fulfills the project portion of the certification.  Two weeks following the workshop, students will take the CAHTA exam to complete the certification.

    Note that the workshop is anticipated to include collaboration with students from other universities and travel.  Virtual versions of the certification cost $595 and don’t include any travel.  This experience and certification are valuable on students’ resumes and are essential preparation for J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute programs such as the Utah Tourism Analytics Team, the Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition, and the CoStar Forecaster Cup Competition.

    Learn more about the CAHTA

  • Students participating in a Utah Tourism Analytics Team, a Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition team, or a CoStar Forecaster Cup Competition team may be eligible to attend an investment conference paid for by the J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute.  Though not required, conference participation is limited to students participating in the teams above.  Each team will ideally have 1-2 members who have attended an investment conference.  Participants will attend the conference, have additional networking opportunities outside the conference, and will have time to explore the conference host city and participate in culturally enriching activities.

    The two anticipated conferences are the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) held in late January, and the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum (NYU IHIF) held in early June.  For each conference, students are likely to travel for three nights.  Investment conferences are typically quite costly to attend and provide students with a unique opportunity to learn, network, and gain valuable, timely insights that will help inform and shape their projects.


  		•  Boston University Hospitality Real Estate Competition Utah Tourism Analytics CoStar Forecaster Cup
    Enrolled as a University of Utah student Required Not Required Required
    Enrolled at any Utah university N/A Required N/A
    Complete the CHIA successfully Required Required Encouraged
    Attend the CAHTA workshop  Encouraged Required N/A
    Attend an investment conference Invited Encouraged N/A

  • The J.W. Marriott, Jr. Institute uses this self-assessment (included in the application) as part of the evaluation and selection process for its development, analytics, and competition teams. Your responses during the application will help us understand the skills, strengths, and experiences you would bring to these programs.

    This information also allows us to form diverse, well-balanced teams with a strong mix of abilities—including writing, analysis, communication, design, leadership, and project management. Because each project requires a wide range of competencies, no single skill set determines selection; instead, we look for complementary combinations of students who can succeed together.

    In addition, your self-assessment helps us assign appropriate roles within each team, ensuring that responsibilities—such as outreach, research, modeling, design, or presenting—are aligned with your capabilities and areas of confidence.  Thoughtful reflection will help us evaluate your fit for the program, identify where you can contribute most effectively, and structure teams that are positioned for success.  Students are however expected to contribute in a variety of ways and develop diverse skills through participation.

    Criteria Description Little to No Experience Limited Experience Some Experience Significant Experience Exceptional Experience
    Writing Skills Clarity, structure, and professionalism in written communication, including ability to articulate ideas effectively and produce polished documents. Writing is unclear, unorganized, or frequently incorrect; substantial help needed. Can write basic content but struggles with clarity, flow, or grammar. Writes clear, organized content with occasional edits needed. Produces polished, professional-quality writing; clear and effective. Writes at an advanced professional level; synthesizes complex ideas and elevates team reports.
    Presentation Skills Ability to communicate confidently and clearly in front of groups, engage audiences, and present structured, compelling content. Very uncomfortable presenting; minimal experience. Can present with notes; may struggle with confidence or pacing. Generally clear and comfortable presenting; can answer questions. Confident, engaging presenter; communicates effectively to varied audiences. Dynamic presenter; skilled at storytelling, Q&A, and leading high-stakes presentations.
    PowerPoint / Slide Design Ability to create clear, visually compelling, well-organized slides that enhance communication and support storytelling. Limited experience; slides are basic or unclear. Can make simple slides; needs help with layout and visual clarity. Creates clean, organized slides with reasonable design. Produces polished, professional decks with strong visuals and structure. Expert-level design and storytelling; elevates team work with compelling, visually strategic slides.
    Teamwork & Collaboration Ability to work effectively with others, communicate openly, share responsibility, and contribute reliably to group success. Struggle to work with others or meet expectations. Participate inconsistently; need reminders or support. Dependable contributor; communicates well with peers. Strong collaborator; proactive, reliable, and supportive. Model teammate and leader; excels at communication, coordination, and conflict resolution.
    Creative & Strategic Thinking Ability to generate innovative ideas, think conceptually, frame problems strategically, and connect concepts to actionable project directions. Struggle to generate ideas or evaluate options. Can brainstorm but ideas may need refinement. Generates solid ideas and connects them to objectives. Produces creative, strategic concepts that strengthen projects. Exceptional visionary thinker; elevates team strategy and innovation.
    Professionalism & Stakeholder Communication Ability to engage industry professionals, schedule and lead meetings, communicate professionally, and represent the University effectively. Struggles to communicate professionally; uncomfortable initiating outreach; unlikely to secure meetings; limited preparation for conversations. Can send basic professional messages but needs guidance; may hesitate to follow up or advocate for a meeting; preparation for interviews is inconsistent. Communicates respectfully and reliably; can secure meetings with some support; prepares reasonable questions and participates effectively in interviews. Communicates confidently and professionally; able to secure meetings through persistent, respectful outreach; prepares thoroughly and leads conversations effectively. Exemplary professionalism; consistently secures meetings with industry leaders; highly persuasive without being intrusive; leads well-structured, insightful interviews that reflect positively on the University.
    Research Skills Ability to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from credible sources to support project decisions and insights. Limited experience finding or evaluating sources. Can gather basic information; may miss key details. Able to research effectively and summarize findings. Conducts thorough, credible research; synthesizes insights clearly. Expert researcher; uncovers hidden insights and connects data to strategy.
    Adaptability & Resilience Ability to handle change, feedback, uncertainty, and setbacks while maintaining motivation and contributing constructively. Easily overwhelmed by change or feedback. Can adapt with support; may struggle during setbacks. Adjust to change with some effort; accept feedback constructively. Adaptable and steady under pressure; respond well to challenges. Highly resilient; thrives in dynamic environments; uses feedback to elevate team performance.
    Initiative & Leadership Willingness to take ownership, contribute proactively, motivate peers, and guide group efforts when needed. Rarely takes initiative; waits for direction. Sometimes volunteers but hesitant to lead. Comfortable taking ownership of tasks; can lead small efforts. Strong leader; motivates peers and drives progress. Inspiring leader; anticipates needs, organizes teams, and elevates overall performance.
    Project Management Ability to organize tasks, manage deadlines, structure workflows, and keep projects on track from start to finish. Little experience organizing tasks; often overwhelmed. Can track tasks with support; sometimes misses deadlines. Manages tasks and deadlines with occasional reminders. Strong planner; reliably meets milestones and supports group organization. Leads complex projects; anticipates needs; keeps teams on track with ease.
    Bandwidth & Capacity Ability to commit the time, focus, and scheduling flexibility required to fully participate in team work, travel, and project milestones. Significant conflicts; may struggle to meet expectations or travel. Some conflicts; may need support during peak times. Generally able to meet weekly commitments and deadlines. Highly reliable; manages time well; able to travel and meet all requirements. Exceptional bandwidth; consistently exceeds expectations and supports others.
    Ability to Learn New Software & Tools Ability to quickly learn new digital tools—especially beyond Microsoft Office—and apply them to improve analysis, design, or project execution. Struggle to learn new digital tools; need extensive guidance. Can learn new tools slowly with support. Comfortable learning new software (e.g., basic data or design tools). Quickly learns new platforms (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, GIS, Canva, Figma). Learns new tools independently and helps teach others; integrates advanced tools to improve team outcomes.
    Real Estate Development Process Knowledge Understanding how real estate projects move from idea to completion, including roles, regulations, sequencing, and approvals. Little understanding of how real estate development works; unfamiliar with terms like zoning, entitlements, or development stages. Aware of a few concepts but cannot clearly explain project phases or stakeholder roles. Can describe major phases (site selection → entitlements → design → construction → operations) at a basic level. Strong grasp of development steps, stakeholder roles, regulatory processes, and common project challenges. Near-professional fluency; can map out a development process, anticipate constraints, and explain how decisions affect timelines and outcomes.
    Real Estate & Built-Environment Insight Understanding property types, site characteristics, spatial reasoning, and how physical and regulatory context shapes development. Limited awareness of real estate product types or how site/location factors affect development potential. Basic familiarity with property types and simple site considerations; may struggle to interpret plans. Can interpret basic site plans and describe how zoning, land use, or physical context influence opportunities. Strong spatial reasoning; evaluates sites confidently and understands how context, design, and regulations impact development concepts. Exceptional insight into built-environment issues; quickly synthesizes complex site and contextual factors to propose strong, context-sensitive development ideas.
    Real Estate Market Fundamentals Familiarity with key terminology (NOI, cap rate, IRR, cash-on-cash, LTV, DSCR) and understanding of basic market dynamics such as vacancy, absorption, pipeline, and supply/demand. Little understanding of common real estate terms or market concepts; cannot explain basic metrics. Recognizes some key terms but struggles to apply them; limited grasp of market indicators. Can calculate simple metrics (e.g., cap rate, cash-on-cash) and interpret basic supply/demand trends with guidance. Strong understanding of fundamental real estate concepts and market dynamics; can explain how demand, competition, and site context affect project potential. Expert-level fluency with terminology and market logic; quickly interprets metrics and trends, explains implications, and connects insights to development strategy.
    Analytical Skills Ability to analyze data, create charts, interpret findings, and synthesize insights to support decision-making. Minimal data skills; uncomfortable using data tools. Basic formulas/charts; limited interpretation ability. Can analyze datasets and communicate key findings. Strong analytical thinker; skilled with Excel/Sheets and visualization. Expert at data analysis; builds complex tools, identifies insights, and advises others.
    Finance Skills Ability to build or interpret financial models, assess project feasibility, and understand valuation concepts. Little to no knowledge; unfamiliar with pro formas. Basic understanding; need guidance to build or read models. Can build simple models and interpret financial results. Strong understanding of development finance; can model with minimal support. Highly advanced modeling and valuation skills; able to lead financial strategy.
    Architecture & Spatial Design Literacy Ability to understand and apply spatial and architectural concepts—such as site planning, massing, floor plans, elevations, and visual representation—to support virtual development project work. Minimal exposure to architectural or spatial concepts; unfamiliar with floor plans, sections, elevations, or design terminology; limited ability to visualize 3D spaces. Basic understanding of common design elements; can interpret simple plans with guidance; spatial visualization skills are emerging. Comfortable reading floor plans, site plans, and basic elevations; can contribute ideas on layout, circulation, and spatial organization; able to sketch simple concepts. Strong grasp of architectural and spatial principles; can evaluate site opportunities and constraints; able to create concept-level layouts, massing diagrams, or basic visualizations. Advanced design capability; proficient in creating compelling conceptual designs, renderings, or digital models; excels at integrating aesthetics, user experience, and site context to elevate project proposals.
    Prior Hotel Industry Experience Experience in hotel operations or related roles that provides context for interpreting development, operational assumptions, and guest experience considerations. No hotel experience. Limited or brief experience; basic familiarity. 6+ months in hotel operations or similar roles. 1–2 years of experience; strong understanding of hotel functions. Extensive hotel or hospitality leadership experience; deep operational insight.