Coke Florida VP Brings Real‑World Analytics to FIU Hospitality Students
Coca‑Cola Beverages Florida is deepening its partnership with Florida International University with ongoing engagement and collaboration throughout the year. One highlight is our speaker series, where we bring in guest lecturers, industry leaders, and Coca‑Cola brand activations to campus along with various interactive programs.
Sally Forsyth, VP of Growth Intelligence, recently led a discussion in a Hospitality Analytics course for the FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management. Her visit is part of the speaker series, which gives FIU students direct access to Coke Florida leaders representing various industry roles. The program enriches students’ academic experience and exposes them to real‑world insights that complement their coursework. The Hospitality Analytics course at FIU is a core requirement for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management.
The lecture highlighted the 5 ways data can deliver value, showcased a scorecard used by most organizations when aligning analytics to business objectives, and revealed how analytics power decision‑making in both hospitality and the beverage industry. “I compared the hospitality business model with ours at Coke Florida to show that despite the industries operating differently, the analytic logic is the same,” said Forsyth. “Whether you’re running a hotel or managing a beverage portfolio, data helps you understand what’s changing, why it’s happening, and what to do next.”
This message was echoed by Assistant Professor Badr Badraoui, Ph.D., who noted that the session was engaging and highly relevant for students. He also wrote that the session clearly demonstrated for students how analytics supports real‑world decision‑making across industries.
Students not only resonated with the insights; they were encouraged to see analytics not as abstract theory, but as a practical tool they already interact with as consumers and future industry professionals. For Forsyth, the opportunity to share her passion for leveraging data to inform business objectives was energizing and rewarding. “It was exciting to see them engaging and relating to the material once I connected it to what it means for them in their current life stage,” she said. “They asked thoughtful questions and shared their individual perspectives.”
Forsyth closed the class by encouraging students to view analytics as a transferable skill that will serve them throughout their careers. “I wanted them to see that what they’re learning today is incredibly applicable to their tomorrow. Analytics is a skill that will translate well for the future leaders in hospitality, tourism, and food & beverage.”
In her role at Coke Florida, Forsyth oversees the development of the company’s integrated planning capabilities and business processes to maximize resource allocation and drive sustained, profitable growth in partnership with customers. Coke Florida is one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the United States with an exclusive territory that covers forty-seven counties in Florida.
