Midway University will begin offering Master of Business Administration courses this fall with a focus on the bourbon industry. Midway officials believe it’s a unique MBA program.
Midway President John Marsden says the new program will emphasize cultural aspects and tourism of bourbon. Tourism and Event Management program coordinator Tricia Day says the school is anticipating what’s coming for the bourbon industry. “We are kind of on the forefront on preparing people for jobs that may not exist yet or may just be starting to exist as professional positions,” said Day.
Day says it’s partly about bridging a gap between the manufacturing side of the industry and the interest in bourbon as a craft. Day says coursework will include sensory evaluation. “Walking someone through a tasting experience and talking about the sensory portions of that beyond tasting, so smelling, and looking at it and being able to evaluate it from the perspective of what it’s doing to your senses,” explained Day.
While similar college level courses exist that concentrates on wine and beer, Day says she’s not aware of this type of focus for bourbon. She envisions MBA students finding work at tourism and convention centers and attractions like Churchill Downs or Keeneland. Bourbon’s a three billion dollar business in Kentucky. ?
