Kurt Fischer and Westin's Corporate food and beverage team has developed a creative way to showcase its food and beverage promotions by selecting artwork from graphic art students at the University of Washington in Seattle.  Students participate in a contest where winners are selected to design menu covers and posters for these quarterly promotions. "The reason we like to work with graphic art students at the University of Washington is the diversity of their approaches.  They don't produce standard posters, but works of art," said Kurt Fischer, vice president of food and beverage.

Westin's involvement with the University first began in the spring of 1992.  Prior to this, Westin had used local designers to create its promotional menus and posters.  However, after several promotions, the artwork began to take on increasing similarity, and so, in search of creativity, Fischer turned to the University's graphic art department.

The food and beverage team works very closely with the chair of the University's design department to prepare new promotion contests.  Students receive a brief overview of each upcoming promotion and develop their own approaches.  Westin receives numerous designs, while students are given an opportunity to showcase their artistry within the corporate world of Westin.  Winners of the contest receive an award of $2,000, two runners-up receive $500 each, and the University's design fund receives $2,000 per contest.  In addition to the monetary awards, winners of the contest are given an opportunity to see their design go into print production, and then be displayed in hotels worldwide.