DENTON (UNT), Texas -- The University of North Texas means business this spring when it takes innovative programs and events in fields like hospitality, retail and logistics beyond the classroom. Events and workshops take place on the UNT campus in Denton, unless otherwise noted. To reserve media passes, contact Monique.Bird@unt.edu or 940-369-7782.

The Executive + Scholar Lecture Series will be headlined by digital retail executive John Koryl, president of Neiman Marcus Stores and Online, in a Q&A about technology, analytics and the store of the future. Koryl will be joined by big data expert Shah Karim, chief executive officer of SafeRock, a retail analytics company.

• 9:30 a.m. to noon Feb. 10 (Wednesday) in Room 314 A and B of the UNT University Union at 1155 Union Circle. 
• $50 for the public, $25 for non-UNT students and free for UNT students with ID.
• 940-369-7051 or Lisa.Wallace@unt.edu.
• Press passes are not available.

The spring dining season starts in February for UNT's Club at Gateway, a student-run restaurant serving three-course, gourmet meals to the community. The restaurant opens twice a year for a limited time, giving students hands-on experience in hospitality management.

• Seating: 11 a.m. to noon. Monday – Friday, February 22 – April 29. Closed March 10 and March 14 – 18.
• The Club at Gateway is inside the UNT Gateway Center at 801 North Texas Blvd.
• $8 per person, except for Guest Chef Day April 5 (Tuesday), which is $10 per person. Cash or check only.
• Contact or call 940-565-4144 for reservations, which are encouraged. Menu and details at https://htm.unt.edu/content/club.

The spring Distinguished Speaker Series will feature three, big-name executives of leading corporations. All three events are free and will take place in Room 080 in the Business Leadership Building at 1307 W. Highland.

• TD Ameritrade Institutional President Tom Nally will launch the series with a talk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 26 (Friday).
• Head of Fidelity Shared Services G. Michael Slovak will deliver the keynote for the second event from 10 to 11:30 a.m. March 25 (Friday).
• Chili's® Grill & Bar Vice President of Marketing Edithann Ramey closes the series with a talk from 10 to 11:30 a.m. April 8 (Friday).

"Big Data and the Merchant of the Future" will be the theme for this year's panel of digital retailing experts at the 12th annual Consumer Experience Symposium.

• 8:45 a.m. to noon April 7 (Thursday) in Room 314 A and B of UNT's University Union at 1155 Union Circle. 
• $50 for the public, $25 for non-UNT students and free for UNT students with ID.
• 940-369-7051 or Lisa.Wallace@unt.edu.

The second annual Family Business Event will highlight topics of interest to family-owned enterprises, speakers, networking, awards and updates on UNT's family business initiatives. The event is open to owners of family-owned establishments.

• 1 – 3 p.m. May 6 (Friday) inside the atrium of the Business Leadership Building at 1307 W. Highland.
• Free with refreshments provided.
• Register online at http://www.cob.unt.edu/mgmt/mgmtlunch.php by Feb. 28 (Sunday). Space is limited.

T. Boone Pickens will be the featured guest UNT's Kuehne Speaker Series for a conversation with G. Brint Ryan, chairman of the UNT System Board of Regents, highlighting the crippling effects of the country's addiction to OPEC oil and what the U.S. must do to become energy independent.

• May 10 (Tuesday) at the Hilton Anatole at 2201 North Stemmons Freeway in Dallas.
• Table sponsorships will be sold, not individual tickets. For information, visit http://www.kuehneseries.unt.edu/ or contact David.Broughton@unt.edu or 940-565-3641.
• Press passes are not available.

The UNT Logistics Annual Transportation Breakfast and Byron Nelson Open House will focus on key issues facing the logistics field. Following the program, attendees are invited to a luncheon at the home of logistics entrepreneur and longtime UNT logistics supporter William "Bill" LaMothe, chairman of the board for PGL. The event at his home provides an afternoon of networking and access to the annual AT&T Byron Nelson golf tour, which takes place May 19 – 22 in Irving. 

• May 20 (Friday), with breakfast and networking at 7:30 a.m. and the program taking place from 8:30 – 11 a.m. The event takes place at the Big Brothers Big Sisters headquarters at 450 E. John Carpenter Freeway in Irving.
• Registration opens in the spring. Tickets are $99 per individual or $699 for a table of eight. For table sponsorships or information, contact Julie.Willems-Espinoza@unt.edu or 940-369-8442.