Industry

“The PDP program is fantastic! From The deliverance of speech from the professors to the great interactive feeling in the classroom! It is worth every penny and I will no doubt make arrangements for future certifications. Also, the level of networking with different leaders of our industry is simply priceless.”

Carlos Colloca
Florida Regional Manager
Kelco Hotels
USA

“It was really a fantastic experience and I look forward to coming back in the not too distant future to finalize a certification. Good campus, good teachers, great networking and a very good team taking care of us.”

Ulisses Marreiros
Director of Sales & Marketing
Vila Vita Parc
Portugal

“I think the real value of the PDP program comes from two sources: the first one is the quality of lecturers and the content they bring into the class. But the second (and to me, the most important one) is the summoning power of the program. Very few schools in the world can elicit so many top-notch professionals in one classroom, who, in the end, add up to the contents and create outstanding networking possibilities.”

Luis Zapater
Commercial Director
Casa Andina
Peru

“I very much enjoyed the opportunity to be a part of the 2007 PDP Class. The professional preparations, well-structured lectures and the extremely friendly Cornell staff made me feel comfortable at all times. Since I take part in a company career development program, I look forward to participating in future courses.”

Kai Dieckmann
Assistant Front Office Manager
Hotel am Schlossgarten
Germany

“At last my dream came true in visiting the Cornell University. Definitely the course I took, HOTEL REVENUE MANAGEMENT, was over my expectations. We had an excellent teacher, very good materials and the organization was tremendous. My brother visited Cornel University a few years ago, and now I know he was right when he said that I was about to have an unforgettable experience. I also should say that it was nice to share experiences with people from other countries."

Francisco Castro
Reservations Manager
Hotel Casa de Campo
Dominican Republic

“As a 32 year veteran of the business, I was overly impressed with the amount of take-aways from the class. I'm in constant development and have been able to apply some of what I learned into our upcoming projects already.

I plan on sending three other Executive staff members in Fiscal 08.”

Michael Luboff
Executive Chef
Mohegan Sun
USA

“I think the program you have in place at Cornell University, the PDP, is a great program.  I only took one of your classes, and I can’t wait for next year to come to sign up for more. The course I took was Restaurant Revenue Management with Ms. Kimes. It was a great class, she is very a knowledgeable instructor in that field and everything she covered is updated and I was able to implement most of the concepts at work.”

Pablo Astardjian
Restaurant Manager
MGM Grand
USA

“The PDP at Cornell surpassed my highest expectations in every category. The class structure, information, instruction, interaction and hospitality were exceptional. I look forward to returning year after year to expand my knowledge, career and group of international friends. Anyone who desires to set their sights higher should attend this institution and network of knowledge. Thanks!”

Bob Swezey
Executive Vice President, Resorts Division
Burroughs & Chapin Company
USA

“The quality and wealth of knowledge imparted by the PDP staff was outstanding and practical.  Coupled with the input of a diverse range of industry colleagues the learning experience was outstanding.

Returning to my business I was able use much of the knowledge immediately delivering an almost immediate return on my investment.”

Andrew Edsor
Franchise Owner
Quest North Ryde
Australia

“Cornell is an excellent university. We had a great experience and the professors were very professional and knowledgeable. It was amazing how I was able to incorporate the things that I learned into my everyday work routine. I'm looking forward to finishing the program and experiencing other areas that will help expedite my growth in the hospitality industry.”

Mac Carheel
Director of Talent Sourcing and Staffing
Lumiere Place
USA

“I’m a newbie attending this year’s PDP at Cornell and I was drawn immensely with the richness and practicality of knowledge and information that were shared by both professors and PDP participants.

The training sessions were highly interactive indeed. I have gained a wealth of new perspectives which are directly related to the challenges I face with my job with plenty of fresh insights about the industry as a whole. The bonus was, I have gained new friends and expanded my international network.

I will be back again next year to complete my advance certification and enjoy more of Cornell’s breath-taking scenery and world-class facilities.”

Ed Franco
Training Programme Manager
Star Cruises GSEIC
Peoples Republic of China

“Oh no, it’s over!!! Can’t we stay a little longer? That’s exactly what you feel  when your Cornell visit comes to an end. Yes you are right…. It’s the same feeling we get when we wake up in the morning with a broken dream after a hard day’s work.

There are very few educational trips which will include fun and frolic along with serious enhancement in professional competencies and Cornell PDP is certainly amongst the top in that list.

Set in beautiful landscapes on a hill top with a lake a few kilometers away, it is one of the best locales for an educational visit. To top it up the weather was perfect. The company of international participants makes it a good forum for sharing of new thoughts and ideas. The trainers are very helpful and always willing to share more.

I will always cherish the time spent at Cornell University for it not only helped me enhance my professional competencies but also gave me an exposure to the international arena and lots of new friends.

Saurabh Khanna
Associate Director-Training
The Park New Delhi
India

“Great experience! The PDP 2007 at Ithaca campus was a very beneficial program filled with lots of information. Materials and information provided by the professors were outstanding! The knowledge acquired from the program established a strong baseline for my current career. The opportunity to discuss with professionals from all over the world, gave me new perspectives..... I can go on and on but to wrap it up, it was excellent!

I would recommend this prime experience to everyone who wishes to pursue their career in the hospitality industry!”

Denny Akira Tanaka
Assistant Director of Food and Beverage
InterContinental Yokohama Grand
Japan

"My Cornell PDP experience has had a profound impact on my knowledge of the sector and has enabled me to have an immediate impact on my organization. Both PDP professors and participants went out of their way to share knowledge and experience - which made for a great learning environment. I keenly shared my Cornell knowledge and experience with colleagues in my organization, confident that we can strong impact on the sector in our part of the world."

Rohan Patel
Director of Corporate Development
Wilderness Lodges Limited
Kenya

“A mind changing experience, you will go back to your office with a wider view of what's going on in the hotel industry today!”

Carlos Quereda
Director of Sales & Marketing
Marbella Club Hotel
Spain

“It was my first time at Cornell University.  PDP course was indeed an experience encompassing superlative scholastic content, a great opportunity to network with an array of industry intellectuals and a rare chance to learn from the Cornell’s knowledgeable veterans. My studies at  Cornell has enriched my knowledge and enhanced my professional growth. I would like to express my gratitude to the entire Cornell fraternity for organizing such a refreshing program and wish to attend more courses next time.”

Anson Jose
Group Director - Operations
Wellworth Group of Companies
Tanzania

“This was my first time at Cornell, and I was positively impressed. The PDP is a great chance to meet tourism professionals from different countries, to share knowledge and to exchange experience. Together with our great lecturer, Mr Stowe Shoemaker, we had a chance to do case studies of real examples and to take home great ideas what helps in daily work. I’ve planned to continue with studies at e-Cornell this autumn."

Evija Segleniece
Marketing Manager
Reval Hotels
Latvia

“The entire experience exceeded my expectations: the useful and current course content, the phenomenal professors, invaluable classroom discussions and interactions, seamless process from beginning to end, and so many more positive attributes. I have observed great and successful leaders to be dynamic and well informed. The PDP at Cornell University School of Hotel Administration provides the opportunity and academic environment to develop these strengths.”

Georgina Sussan
Vice President, Asset Management
Host Hotels & Resorts
USA

“My 2007 PDP experience was fantastic. I found the whole program to be very well organized. The content and delivery of the lecture was very vibrant with wonderful industry examples being used to back up the theory of the subject matter. The contribution of the class members from all over the world also added a special dimension and was so relevant to the Global Industry that we are all part of. It’s been a while since I sat in a classroom all day but I can honestly say that I enjoyed every minute of it.”

Gerard Denneny
Hotel Manager
Jumeirah Carlton Tower
UK

“It was my first experience with Cornell PDP courses in Brussels, but for sure not the last one! I took part in two courses and I can confirm that also before arrival and during the courses everything was very well organized. The lecturers were brilliant! I'm really looking forward to take part in other courses next summer!”

Sebastian Gopp
Assistant F&B Manager
Althoff Hotels & Residences
Germany

“PDP 2007 was indeed an outstanding experience and a great way to improve the knowledge. I did learn a lot from my great professor who did his best to keep us going in the classroom and always motivated us. What I learned at Cornell today I have implemented to develop my career, which makes things so easy in my day-to-day operation. Moreover I returned from Cornell PDP program as a highly motivated manager. It was a good investment to learn at Cornell! THANK YOU SO MUCH!”

Mohammed Hassan Rauff
General Manager
Dallah Taibah Hotel
Saudi Arabia

“"PDP" this conjures up images of a global network of friends working together and sharing valuable information about this dynamic industry. It brings back wonderful memories of classes where so much useful information was exchanged that you never wanted it to end.  The brilliant and tireless team of PDP staff and faculty who looked after us so willingly and with adept efficiency, listening with rapt attention to our every concern and catering to our needs.   I have attended PDP on four occasions and gained precious knowledge from the professors as well as colleagues in the industry due to the permitted exchange of ideas and experiences.”

Norma J. Holder
Financial Controller
Jumby Bay- A Rosewood Resort
Antigua and Barbuda

“It became the best way to widen my knowledge and keep me aware of the ever-changing aspects of the hospitality industry. As soon as I get another chance I will indeed join another course to keep developing in this field.”

Elga Castro
Revenue Manager
Vincci Hoteles
Spain

“I participated in all four PDP courses in Revenue Management and earned myself a Certification. This would never been possible if it wasn't for all the amazing professors that are world leading within their expertise, the wonderful help from the "red shirts" and not least the inspiration itself to become a "student" for two weeks at the wonderful University of Cornell. I were new within the subject Revenue Management when I came to Cornell, but all PDP-courses gave me great amount of information and tools so that I have an excellent competence within the subject today and this has absolutely been helpful to me and my just started career within the hotel industry. I will definitely come back to PDP and Cornell University and take the advantage of learning from the best professors and in an exceptional environment. “

Bjorn Olsson
Duty Manager
Scandic Continental Stockholm
Sweden

"A unique experience! The subjects were very relevant and some models shown can effectively be used in my everyday work in the international hotel industry. The combination of a top-class professor and highly-motivated participants from all around the world created an atmosphere I’ve never before experienced. Sharing the ideas during three course days gave me many new ways to think about my work.  I’ll be back!"

Jari Hakovirta
Revenue Manager
Restel Hotel Group, Revenue Management/Tampere
Finland

"As a hotelier, Cornell University is my dream and it came to true with so many beautiful and incredible memories this Summer by participating the PDP 2007 in Ithaca, NY. The wonderful experience with PDP comes from a well mix of truly world-class education and truly diverse networking environment with students from all over the world. This time I took the certification in Foodservice Management. I wish I could come back for other courses; I am especially interested in Sales & Marketing and Leadership Courses. Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration is no doubt the best option for hotelier's Professional Development in the world. I love the Cornell campus and surrounding Ithaca more than any metropolitan city in the world. Words are not enough to express its beauty."

Susanna Li
Executive Assistant Manager-Food & Beverage
Shangri-La Hotel
Peoples Republic of China