hec-101-programming-schedule-copy

ALL DAY | Explore Ithaca 

Discover all that Ithaca has to offer, from its natural beauty and picturesque campus buildings to the shops and restaurants throughout The Commons.

4:00 - 5:15pm | Cornell Hotel Society Annual Meeting | Statler Hotel Amphitheater

If you are staying at The Statler Hotel, check in after 4:00 PM. Relax after your travels and prepare to embark on a weekend journey immersed in the details!

5:00 - 6:30pm | Opening Cocktail | The Regent Lounge

An evening of classic and specialty cocktails and light hors d'oeuvres inspired by the spirit of a spring bloom. We come together to honor our roots while embracing new growth—celebrating where we have been and looking ahead as we bloom into a new century of a cherished tradition.

6:30 - 7:00pm | Key Pass | The Statler Hotel Porte-Cochère

Dean Kate Walsh '90 will commence programming for HEC 101. General Manager of the Statler Hotel, Arthur Keith '84, will carry on the tradition of handing the keys to The Statler Hotel to the HEC 101 Managing Director, Kelly Cobb '26.

7:30am - 8:45am | Breakfast | Taylor & Rowe Rooms

Stepping into the charm of a classic 1950's diner, Friday's Breakfast captures the spirit of a timeless American experience.

9:00am - 9:45am | Dean's Welcome | Statler Auditorium

Dean Walsh '90 will help welcome everyone to HEC 101.

9:45am - 10:45am | Pillsbury Institute's 20th Anniversary Panel | Statler Auditorium

Jen Collins '99 of Procure Impact, Kristen McClellan '12 of SNAP Wellness, and Chris Kirby '14 of Ithaca Hummus gather with Dr. Christy McDowell, Director of the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, to discuss the Institute's role in hospitality innovation, impact, and progress.

11:00am - 11:45am | Food Education Fund Discussion | Statler Auditorium

Join Chayil Hyland '25, Dr. Danielle Beam, and Dr. Lilly Jan for a Q&A about providing students with accessible hospitality education and insights into the Food Education Fund's (FEF) mission and impact.

11:45am - 1:00pm | MMH Lunch | The Statler Hotel Ballroom

Bringing a warm embrace to a busy day, join the Masters of Management in Hospitality (MMH) students for a golden hour luncheon, reminding us that hospitality lives in the details, where warmth, care, and connection come together to create something immeasurable.

1:15pm - 2:15pm | Standardizing Excellence: The Details that Define Quality | Statler Auditorium

Join Global Head of Quality for the Leading Hotels of the World (LHW) Sehaj Singh '14 for a discussion about LHW's approach to quality assurance across its global portfolio. This session will highlight how the company's attention to detail shapes all aspect of the guest experience.

2:15pm - 2:45pm | Networking Breakout | Statler Auditorium Foyer

Refreshments will be available.

2:45pm - 4:15pm | Hawai'i to Hotelie: Stories of Culture and Community Shaping Hospitality | Statler Auditorium

Distinguished alumni Baron Ah Moo '93 will lead a conversation featuring Jennifer Chun '95, Director of Tourism & Research for the State of Hawaiʻi's Department of Business, Economic Development, & Tourism, Jennifer Tom '00, Senior Asset Manager at Kamehameha Schools, and Collin Hoo '12, Senior Manager at Kamehameha Schools.

4:15pm - 5:15pm | Luxury Reimagined: The Intersection of Ecotourism and Experiential Design | Statler Auditorium

Kristen McNamara '10, Director at Citi Private Bank, will moderate an engaging conversation with Luca Franco, Founder and CEO of Luxury Frontiers, and Keith A. Brenan '98, Principal and Managing Director of Weitzman Associates.

6:00pm - 8:00pm | Celebration Dinner | Terrace Restaurant

This social dinner transports guests to a mystical night in the spirit of a Venice Carnival. Celebrate the culture through tradition and community with a masquerade twist to create an evening guests will never forget.

7:30am - 8:45am | Breakfast | Taylor & Rowe Rooms

Welcome a new day of programming with a cartoon-filled morning of nostalgia.

9:00am - 10:00am | Pulse of the Industry Panel: Where We Stand & Where We Are Headed | Statler Auditorium

This panel, moderated by CNBC Senior Markets Correspondent Dominic Chu '99, will guide guests through a detailed view of our industry through two distinct lenses, a data driven perspective by Jan Freitag '97, National Director for Hospitality Market Analytics at CoStar Group and an AI perspective from Nazpari Aydin '20, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Destination AI.

10:00am - 11:00am | Details At Scale: A Fireside Chat with Patrick Nichols | Statler Auditorium

This fireside chat features Patrick Nichols '08, President & CEO of The Venetian Resort. Moderated by Nolan School Lecturer Dr. Soojin Ha, instructor of Introduction to Casino Operations, this conversation will explore how The Venetian maintains meticulous detail at scale and brings a lighter touch to luxury.

11:15am - 12:15pm | Workshops

12:30pm - 1:45pm | Saturday Lunch | Marriott Student Learning Center & Student Lounge

Inspired by an Ithaca favorite, enjoy lunch at our take on the Farmers Market—featuring fresh flavors and relaxed local flair. A bridge between vibrant and rustic elements creates a joyful, welcoming, and distinctly seasonal experience.

1:45pm - 3:30pm | Cornell Hospitality Business Plan Competition | Statler Auditorium

This competition, hosted by the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship, gives rising hospitality entrepreneurs a hands-on learning experience. Beginning with team formation and pitch videos at the start of the year, it progresses to final business plan submissions and presentations at Hotel Ezra Cornell.

3:45pm - 4:15pm | Networking Breakout | Statler Auditorium Foyer

Mingle with Business Plan Competition Participants. Refreshments will be available.

4:15pm - 4:45pm | Closing Remarks | Statler Auditorium

Our Managing Director, Kelly Cobb '26, and Programs Director, Spencer Kim '27, will announce the Business Plan Competition winner, share silent auction proceeds for FEF, and present the Hannah MacDonald '22 Hotelie Spirit Award sponsored by Nancy and Brady MacDonald.

5:45pm - 6:30pm | Pre-Dinner Cocktail | The Statler Hotel Legacy Rooms

Travel through eras of art, reflecting on the present, and setting the stage for an unforgettable finale at the Gala Dinner.

6:30pm - 9:30pm | Gala Dinner | The Statler Hotel Ballroom

The grand finale of the weekend, Gala Dinner, embraces the people, the moment, and the brand to make it the best ever!

9:30pm - 11:00pm | Closing Cocktail | Terrace Restaurant

End the weekend with a joyful celebration of the people that make HEC by dancing, visiting the photo booth, and trying one last signature cocktail!