Marin Grabovac’s journey from RIT Croatia to the heart of hospitality investment in Atlanta

For many students, the dream of studying in the United States is fueled by the promise of "opportunity." For Marin Grabovac, a Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) student at RIT Croatia’s Dubrovnik campus, who is currently spending a semester at RIT’s main campus in Rochester, that opportunity recently took the shape of a high-stakes, VIP experience at the 37th Annual Hunter Hotel Investment Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Selected from a nationwide pool of applicants—including students from prestigious Ivy League institutions—Marin served as a Hotel Investment Conference Intern. This wasn't just a behind-the-scenes look at an event; it was a front-row seat to the engine room of the U.S. hospitality industry.

A Seat at the table with industry titans

The Hunter Conference is recognized as a premier event for hotel owners, developers, and investors. For Marin, the experience was a masterclass in professional networking and industry operations.

"It was a privilege to be among leaders such as Chris Nassetta (President and CEO of Hilton) and Tony Ressler (Principal Owner of the Atlanta Hawks and Co-founder of Ares Management)," Marin shared.

Working directly under Hunter Advisors, the leading hotel investment advisory firm in the U.S., Marin’s role was both operational and strategic. As a VIP Host, he was responsible for:

• Coordinating arrivals for high-level meeting partners.
• Managing access to private investor and sponsor environments.
• Ensuring the seamless flow of executive sessions.

Real-world insights: From FIFA to finance

While the logistics of the internship kept him busy, the educational component was equally transformative. Marin attended live panels featuring executives from global giants like Marriott International, CBRE, CoStar Group, and the American Hotel & Lodging Association.

The discussions went far beyond daily hotel operations. Marin gained exclusive insights into:

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup: Atlanta’s strategic preparations as a host city and the massive impact on local hospitality.
• Capital Markets: How real estate deals are structured and the current investment trends shaping the U.S. market.
• The Intersection of Industries: Seeing how hospitality, sports, and real estate merge to create value.

The power of the RIT’s global network

Marin’s success highlights the unique advantage of the RIT global network. By taking the initiative to study at the Rochester campus, he positioned himself to tap into American industry events that are often out of reach for international students.

"I applied as part of a small group of students from top universities across the nation," Marin explained. "Networking with professionals across the industry further deepened my interest in where hospitality meets real estate."

Advice for fellow students

Marin’s journey from being the President of the RIT Croatia Student Government to hosting CEOs in Atlanta serves as a powerful reminder: the degree is only the beginning. The "Global Tiger" experience is about what you do with the doors that open for you.

For students considering a semester abroad or looking for their next internship, Marin’s experience at the Hunter Conference proves that with enough initiative, a student from Croatia can not only compete with the best in the U.S. but stand alongside the leaders of the global hospitality industry.