Industry

Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards

“In just a couple of years, this event has become one of the largest and happiest and most important events that we have throughout the Cornell universe."
--David J. Skorton, President, Cornell University

The Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards honors the recipient of the Cornell Icon of the Industry Award and the recipient of the Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award. Contributions to the gala help support the school's annual fund, which provides key funding to the school's scholarships and programs. In 2012, 900 of the most influential leaders and innovators in the hospitality and travel industry from 17 countries attended the gala awards celebration, making it one of the most anticipated events in both the Cornell and industry calendar.

5th Annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards

Cipriani 42nd Street, New York City
June 4, 2013

6:00 p.m. | Exclusive Diamond Reception, by invitation only

6:30 p.m. | Opening Cocktail Reception, mix, mingle, & celebrate

7:30 p.m. | Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards, dinner & gala

10:15 p.m. | Afterglow with the CHS – NYC, mad46 Rooftop Lounge

PREMIER AND REGULAR TICKET LEVELS - SOLD OUT!
Contact Rebecca Hart - rlm336@cornell.edu -
to be placed on waiting list. In your message, please indicate the quantity of tickets and seating area (Premier or Regular) you're interested in. We expect a limited number of additional tickets to become available in the weeks leading up to the event. Please note: a very limited number of Benefactor tickets are available for purchase.

ALL SPONSOR LEVELS - SOLD OUT!

Stay connected! Check out the I&I mobile app: iTunes | Android | Web

TOM PRITZKER

2013 CORNELL ICON OF THE INDUSTRY

Tom Pritzker, Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Tom Pritzker is synonymous with Hyatt Hotels & Resorts around the world. He uniquely embodies both a vision for business and a heart for people and causes. His resulting landmark contributions in hospitality, business, and philanthropy make him a true icon of our industry.

His exceptional dedication to cause-driven organizations reaches across architecture, civics, education, science, medicine, and culture. He is chairman of the Hyatt Foundation, which sponsors the renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize, and he serves as chairman of the Art Institute of Chicago. Mr. Pritzker is chairman of Marmon Group, Inc., a diversified manufacturing concern. He is also chairman and CEO of The Pritzker Organization.

"Tom Pritzker was a clear choice for this year's Cornell Icon of the Industry Award. His business acumen reaches well beyond the hospitality industry, and his philanthropic contributions have helped spur economic development, advance the arts, and promote scientific research."
--Michael D. Johnson, Dean and
E.M. Statler Professor of Hotel Administration

STEVE ELLS

2013 CORNELL HOSPITALITY INNOVATOR

Steve Ells, Founder, Chairman, and Co-CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill

Ells opened the first Chipotle in Denver in 1993 with the idea that food served fast did not have to be a typical fast food experience. Today, he and Chipotle are changing the way people think about and eat fast food. With a commitment to using ingredients from more sustainable sources, Ells and Chipotle are leading a revolution to make great food affordable and accessible so everyone can eat better.

Ells, a classically trained chef, has received considerable praise for his vision and leadership at Chipotle. The New York Times proclaimed that Chipotle provides “a chance to witness—and taste—a shift in American fast food,” and Newsweek, called him “an environmental champion” for his commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture. Chipotle’s business success has prompted accolades from such sources as SustainableBusiness.com, which named Chipotle one of the world’s top-20 sustainable stocks; the Motley Fool, which called it the “most socially responsible company;” and Jim Cramer, host of CNBC’s “Mad Money,” who has said that Chipotle has the “best management team in the hospitality industry.”

"True innovation is not about simply creating a better version of what has already been done; it is about creating an entirely new way of thinking. Through Chipotle, Steve Ells has redefined the way the world thinks about fast food, and we look forward to recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the industry at the Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards in June.”
--Michael D. Johnson, Dean and
E.M. Statler Professor of Hotel Administration

SIMON HOBBS

MASTER OF CEREMONIES

We are delighted to announce Simon Hobbs, Anchor, CNBC, as the Master of Ceremonies for the 5th Annual Cornell Icon & Innovator Awards. Hobbs co-anchors CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" daily, live from the New York Stock Exchange. Prior to 2009, Hobbs was based at CNBC in London, and in 2006 he was named "Television Personality of the Year" by the Association of International Broadcasters. Throughout his career with CNBC, BBC, Reuters and Sky News, Hobbs has hosted high-level, international meetings for the European Union, the United Nations, the World Bank and environmental NGOs.

2013 Title Sponsor

Exclusive Media Co-Hosts

Diamond Sponsors




Strategic Marketing & Event Consultant

Strategic Brand Marketing & Design

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

To participate as a corporate sponsor for the 5th Annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards, please contact Joe Strodel, Jr. P'11, Executive Director of Corporate Affairs or Kathleen Bolton, manager, Corporate & Foundation Affairs. We invite you to download the sponsor invitation for more information. If you are interested in puchasing an advertisement in the souvenir program to congratulate the honorees, please download our press kit for more information. Please view our ad appearing on page A-2 of the April 12, 2013 issue, the May 9, 2013 issue of USA TODAY, the May 20 issue of USA TODAY, and the May issue of Travel+Leisure magazine.

2013 Honorary Committee

Robert Alter '73; Richard Baker '88, Dean Emeritus Robert A. Beck '42, PhD '54; Richard Bradley '63; Former Dean David W. Butler; Professor Emeritus & Former Dean John "Jack" Clark PhD '69; Hubert E. Westfall Professor of Accounting & Former Dean David Dittman; Nancy Duber P'08, '11, '14; Kevin Fitzpatrick '76; Robert Fite '50; Julie Milligan Flik '63; Steven Haggerty '90; Larry Hall '81; Charles Henry '74; Steven Hilton; Caren Whiteman Kline '75; John Mariani '54; Jack & Hawley Hilton McAuliffe P'10; Charles Mund '51; Christopher Nassetta; Drew Nieporent '77; Dayssi Olarte de Kanavos '85; Lee '69 and Mary Pillsbury; Dale Whiteman Pinto '74; Richard Riley '63; John Rijos '75; Harris Rosen '61; Burton "Skip" Sack '61; Barbara Shingleton '75; Curt Strand '43; Chiaki Tanuma MPS '80; Ted Teng '79; Andrew Tisch '71; and Simon Turner '83.

“The I&I Awards has truly become an industry celebration of everything that Cornell stands for, as the arbitrator of excellence in the hospitality industry, and as the world’s preeminent school in educating future leaders. Every Cornellian, regardless of the school from which they graduated, stands a little taller the morning after this outstanding event.”
--Lee Pillsbury ’69, co-CEO, Thayer Lodging Group

Past Honorees

Cornell Icon of the Industry Award

2012

The Tisch Family: James S. Tisch '75; Andrew H. Tisch '71; Jonathan M. Tisch

2011

The Hilton Family &

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

2010

Charles F. Feeney '56

Co-Founder, Duty Free Shoppers, Founding Chairman, The Atlantic Philanthropies

2009

J.W. Marriott, Jr.

Chairman & CEO

Marriott International, Inc.

The School of Hotel Administration accepts nominations for the Cornell Icon of the Industry Award year-round. To nominate someone, please click here.

To view our past Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award honorees, please click here. To learn more about the Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award or to nominate someone, please click here.