TIM Night: A Tradition of Leadership, Learning, and Hospitality Excellence (1971–2009)

For nearly four decades, TIM Night served as the signature student-produced event of the School of Travel Industry Management (TIM), providing students with an unparalleled hands-on learning experience in hospitality and event management. From its inception in 1971 until its final production in 2009, TIM Night offered students the opportunity to plan, organize, and execute a large-scale hospitality event attended by more than 400 industry professionals.

Students volunteered to serve on the TIM Night Executive Committee, assuming leadership roles such as Executive Director, Food & Beverage Director, Executive Chef, Beverage Manager, Sales and Marketing Director, Human Resources Director, Entertainment Director, Reservations Manager, Decorations Director, Costumes Director, Stewarding Manager, and Finance Director. Comprised primarily of senior and mid-level management positions, the Executive Committee functioned as the management team responsible for every aspect of the event.

Each year, the committee selected and researched a unique theme, exploring its cultural influences and translating them into the evening's food and beverage offerings, entertainment, costumes, décor, and guest experience. Students developed budgets, marketing plans, staffing structures, menus, production schedules, and operational plans, gaining practical experience in leadership, teamwork, and event execution.

The Executive Committee then recruited fellow students to serve in operational roles for the event. Students designed and sewed costumes, created decorations, learned songs and dances, prepared food, mixed beverages, provided food and wine service, managed guest registration, and delivered entertainment throughout the evening. Every aspect of the event was planned and executed by students under professional guidance.

A key component of TIM Night's success was the partnership with host hotels and country clubs throughout Hawaiʻi. Industry professionals served as mentors to each Executive Committee department, sharing their expertise and providing real-world coaching. Host venues also conducted training programs in food and beverage service, hospitality operations, and event management, helping students develop the professional skills expected by the industry.

Serving on the TIM Night Executive Committee became one of the most respected student leadership experiences within the TIM program. Participation was a distinguished résumé credential and often led directly to employment opportunities upon graduation. Many students received job offers as a result of the relationships, experience, and professional reputation they developed through their involvement in TIM Night.

More than an event, TIM Night was a living classroom—an immersive educational experience that bridged academic learning and industry practice. It provided generations of TIM students with the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, creativity, professionalism, and service excellence while strengthening the connection between the University of Hawaiʻi and Hawaiʻi's visitor industry.

Today, TIM Night remains one of the most celebrated traditions in the history of the School of Travel Industry Management, leaving a lasting legacy of experiential learning and industry engagement that continues to inspire alumni and hospitality professionals alike.

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 As we celebrate 60 Years of TIM we honor our past with themed decorations for each table.  When you purchase your tickets for this event, select your seat on the table theme you would like to celebrate at.  We ask that you come dressed in attire to match your table theme, or as in TIM Night tradition, formal attire.  Purchase a seat or multiple seats.  Tickets are $100 each.  One table seats eight (8).  You may buy all eight (8) seats and fill the table with your alumni classmates and guests.   Here are the table themes to choose from:

Arabian Nights     Bollywood     Crazy Rich Asians "Singapore"     Disco Night Fever     Dynasties of China

Festeggia I'Italia     Greek Gods & Goddess     Iolani Palace Holoku Ball     Japan, Land of the Rising Sun     Jungle Safari Africa

K-Pop Korea     Mardi Gras / Rio de Janeiro     Bon Voyage Matson .... Lurline     Mexico Fiesta     New York New York

Paniolo Round Up     Roaring 20's     Sock Hop Happy Days     Treasures Under the Sea     Vive La France

Tickets are $100 each. 

Option to donate at $25 increments to refurbishment fund for the Gee Technology Center.

Add to your dining experience a bottle of red and white wine, one each for $125.

Pre-purchase your drink scripts, $15 each.  Good for beer, wine, standard cocktails, and soft drinks.

Payment forms:  Check, payable to TIM International, or Credit Card (subject to 4% transaction fee).  

This event would not be possible without generous support of sponsors like the Oahu Country Club, the location of the first TIM Night in 1971.  We welcome other sponsors to help defray cost for this evening's event, $1,000 or in-kind.  Sponsors may designate their donations towards decorations, entertainment, favors, or a custom designation. 

This event is organized and hosted solely by the TIM Alumni Association, and is not associated with the University of Hawaii Shidler College of Business Travel Industry Management School or UH Foundation.  The TIM Alumni Association, TIM International Inc. is a 501c(7) Non-Profit Organization.  Under the Internal Revenue Code Section 170, contributions to TIM International Inc. are not tax deductible.  (EIN 237295494)