hec-100-programming-schedule

A Tradition of Service: Grateful Beginnings

ALL DAY | Around Ithaca

Check into The Statler Hotel (if you are staying in the HEC room block) after 4:00 PM. Relax after your travels and enjoy the beauty of the Ithaca area on and around Cornell's campus!

4:00 - 5:30pm | Statler Auditorium

All Hotelie alumni are welcome at the annual state of the union meeting. We will provide a global update, vote on changes to the bylaws, and announce the inductees to this year's Hotelie Hall of Fame!

5:30pm - 6:00pm

Dean Kate Walsh MPS '90 will kick-off programming for HEC 100. Additionally, General Manager of the Statler Hotel Arthur Keith '84 will carry on the tradition of handing the keys to The Statler to the HEC 100 Managing Director, Sarah Newcomb '25. 

6:00pm - 8:00pm

Welcome to our first event of the conference weekend! 

A Legacy of Excellence: Cornell's Impact on Hospitality

Can't make it to HEC? Join the livestream to listen an engage with speakers. 

https://cornell.zoom.us/j/96873315213?pwd=CHC0gW1RwugX8R11nW1JJ5DAlVNypC.1

7:30am - 8:45am 

Begin the day with a hearty and delicious breakfast!

All Day

The Park Atrium will serve as a retreat for registered conference guests looking for a break from the conference activities, or simply a boost of energy. Coffee drinks will be served at the HECafe. Enjoy a lighter social scene and take some time to unwind with rich beverages, passionate students, and a wonderful buffet!

We will also have a silent auction available on Friday and Saturday, all day so feel free to stop by.

All proceeds will be donated to our philanthropy partner, Ben's Friends. We are thrilled to provide guests with thoughtful prizes while supporting an organization and cause near and dear to our hearts. 

9:00am - 9:30am | Statler Auditorium

Dean Kate Walsh MPS '90 will commence programming for HEC 100!

9:30am - 10:45am | Statler Auditorium

Each year, the Board of Directors behind HEC plays an integral role in making this prestigious event possible. From vision to execution, HEC has developed and grown throughout the years; however, at the core lies passion for hospitality. We've asked former members of the HEC Board of Directors to share their experiences with HEC, HEC's impact on their personal and professional development, and HEC's impact on the hospitality industry. Our panel features diverse perspectives from industry pioneers in hotel operations, consulting, and management Liv Gussing Burgess '91, leader in finance Kristen McNamara '10, innovator of food & beverage management Peter Tischmann '95, and hospitality research luminary Robert Mandelbaum '81. Their return highlights that, no matter where life takes you, being a member of HEC means always embodying the spirit of service.

10:45am - 11:15am

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with students and fellow guests.

11:15am - 11:45am | Ho Plaza

Join us for this 89-year-old tradition! Students and guests will have the opportunity to meet and compete together in teams in this race for the chance to win some awesome prizes and friendly competition!

12:00pm - 1:45pm 

Friday's lunch will provide a platform for our Masters of Management in Hospitality (MMH) students to showcase their work, celebrating continued hospitality education. This lunch will represent our MMH student population through their personalized mocktails, diverse menu, and an interactive environment.

1:45pm - 3:30pm | Statler Auditorium

Presented by: Boomerang

Step into one of the Hotel School's most cherished classes with this engaging panel led by Cheryl Stanley '00, Senior Lecturer in Food & Beverage. Join three distinguished Hotelies as they share their experiences navigating the complexities of wine production, distribution, and service. Explore the evolving landscape of the wine industry while immersing yourself in a guided tasting of specially selected wines

Please note that only balcony seating will be open to the public. 

3:30pm - 4:00pm

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with students and fellow guests.

4:00pm - 5:00pm | Statler Auditorium

Join Hilton's Global VP of Wellness Amanda Al-Masri as she explores the evolving role of wellness in the hospitality industry. Discover how wellness transcends luxury, integrating into Hilton's 25 diverse brands to enhance guest experiences globally. Ms. Al-Masri will showcase innovative guest-facing wellness programs, from fitness and spa to sleep and nourishment. Learn why holistic wellness is a critical element of hospitality's future and how it adapts to meet the needs of guests across different regions and markets.

5:00pm- 6:30pm 

Refresh and grab a drink at HECafe or stop by the Silent Auction! 

6:30pm - 8:30pm 

Enjoy a fantastic dinner! 

A Commitment to Innovation: Shaping the Next Century

Can't make it to HEC? Join the livestream to listen an engage with speakers. 

https://cornell.zoom.us/j/92514216914?pwd=ZpfvRBoWwmkETC9e4sbHZT5xalwbPB.1

7:30am - 8:45am 

Join us for a delish breakfast as we celebrate a new day!

All Day

The Park Atrium will serve as a retreat for registered conference guests looking for a break from the conference activities, or simply a boost of energy. Coffee drinks will be served at the HECafe. Enjoy a lighter social scene and take some time to unwind with rich beverages, passionate students, and a wonderful buffet!

We will also have a silent auction available on Friday and Saturday, all day so feel free to stop by. 

All proceeds will be donated to our philanthropy partner, Ben's Friends. We are thrilled to provide guests with thoughtful prizes while supporting an organization and cause near and dear to our hearts.

9:00am- 10:00am | Statler Auditorium

Step into the future of restaurant technology with two brilliant industry leaders as they dive into the forefront of innovation. We are thrilled to have Chris DeSaye and Brandon Barton ('03) here to discuss the tech advancements in the food and beverage industry. Chris DeSaye currently serves as the Chief Technology Officer for Jose Andres Group, providing IT leadership to the Enterprise, Operations, and Guest Experience, previously with the Hillstone Restaurant Group. Brandon Barton ('03), spent 13 years in the Food and Beverage industry after graduating from the Cornell Hotel School. His experiences throughout hospitality have led him to become the Chief Executive Officer of Bite. Bite is the leading intelligent kiosk ordering software used by many big-named companies such as Krispy Kreme and California Pizza Kitchen. Tune in and take advantage of this amazing opportunity to hear about what the future has in store for the food and beverage industry.

10:00am - 11:00am | Statler Auditorium 

No matter the sector, the core of hospitality remains the same: creating and delivering exceptional guest experiences. This panel explores how guest experience analytics are revolutionizing hospitality in a digital age.

11:00am - 11:15am

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with students and fellow guests.

11:15am- 12:15pm 

Guests will have the option to attend one of our interactive and dynamic workshops hosted by experts in their respective fields.

12:30pm - 1:45pm

Refuel with a delish lunch!

1:45pm- 3:45pm | Statler Auditorium

The competition's primary purpose is to provide an experiential and reflective learning opportunity to rising hospitality entrepreneurs. The competition begins at the start of the academic year with the formation of student teams and the development of a pitch video. As the academic year progresses, so does the competition.  The competition culminates in the early spring with the submission of final business plans and group presentations during the annual Hotel Ezra Cornell event. 

3:45pm - 4:15pm

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with students and fellow guests.

This will include the Philanthropy announcement about the funds raised to support Ben's Friends, the presentation of the inaugural Hannah MacDonald '22 Hotelie Spirit Award sponsored by Nancy and Brady MacDonald, and the Business Plan Competition Winner announcement.

5:45pm - 6:30pm

Relax and refresh before dinner! 

5:45pm - 6:30pm

Enjoy a nice drink prepared by the beverage team! 

6:30pm- 9:30pm 

The final dinner of the 100th Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell. 

9:30pm - 10:30pm

A final opportunity to network and dance, closing out the HEC 100 weekend.