Faculty & Research
Cornell Hotel School partners with International Hotel and Restaurant Association
School's Center for Hospitality Research extends global reach
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cydney Peters, 607-255-8698, chp4@cornell.edu
ITHACA, NY, July 21, 2005 -- The International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IH&RA) has become a corporate member of The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR), a unit of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration.
"Cornell is pleased to partner with an organization that has such a significant following among hospitality leaders in markets worldwide," said Sheryl Kimes, interim dean at the Cornell Hotel School. "This partnership bolsters our international efforts to promote the School's research and furthers our mission to shape the global knowledge base in hospitality management."
The International Hotel & Restaurant Association is an international trade association devoted to promoting and defending the interests of the hotel and restaurant industry worldwide. IH&RA members include national hotel and restaurant associations in over 100 countries and more than 50 international and national hotel and restaurant chains. Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA supports an industry estimated to comprise 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, employ 60 million people and contribute $950 billion annually to the global economy.
"Joining forces with one of the industry's leading global research institutes is a natural fit for our association," said David McMillan, Ph.D., chief executive officer of IH&RA. "The partnership will help our members gain access to world-class research designed to improve how the industry thinks, manages and operates."
As part of the agreement, the Cornell Hotel School assumes a seat on IH&RA's Global Council on Human Resources. The School will participate in the IH&RA's 42nd Annual Congress in Beijing, China, this October 28 - 30. Themed "Orient Express: Destination China! New Markets - New Competition," the Congress includes a conference featuring travel, tourism and hospitality industry leaders speaking on four key areas:
- Branding - international brands vs. national Chinese brands;
- Training, education and human resources;
- Inbound and outbound tourism; and
- International hospitality trends.
This partnership marks the Cornell Hotel School's first formal agreement with a major, international industry association.
"Many Cornell Hotel School alumni have great allegiance to IH&RA," said Leif Evensen, president of the Cornell Hotel Society, the School's alumni body. "We are very pleased to see these great two brands come together to further the cause of hospitality."
About the International Hotel and Restaurant Association
Based in Paris, France, the International Hotel & Restaurant Association is the only global business organization representing the hospitality industry worldwide. Officially recognized by the United Nations, IH&RA monitors and lobbies all international agencies on behalf of this industry, estimated to comprise 300,000 hotels and 8 million restaurants, employ 60 million people and contribute 950 billion USD annually to the global economy. To learn more about IH&RA, visit www.ih-ra.com.
About the Center for Hospitality Research
A unit of the Cornell School of Hotel Administration, The Center for Hospitality Research (CHR) sponsors research designed to improve practices in the hospitality industry. Under the lead of the Center's 40 corporate affiliates, experienced scholars work closely with business executives to discover new insights into strategic, managerial and operating practices. The Center also publishes the award-winning hospitality journal, the Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly. To learn more about CHR and its projects, visit http://www.thecenterforhospitalityresearch.org/.
CHR Partners and sponsors: AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., Cendant Corporation, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, HVS International, JohnsonDiversey, Inc., Kohinoor Group, Marsh's Hospitality Practice, Nestlé, Smith Travel Research, Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc., Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, and Thayer Group of Companies.
CHR friends: ARAMARK • DK Shifflet & Associates • ehotelier.com • Gerencia de Hoteles & Restaurantes • Global Hospitality Resources • Hospitality World • hospitalitynet.org • Hotel Asia Pacific • Hotel China • Hospitality Initiatives India • Hotel Interactive • Hotel Resource • International CHRIE • International Hotel and Restaurant Association • KPMG Japan/Global Management Directions • Lodging Hospitality • Lodging Magazine • Mobile MoneySaver • National Hotel Executive Magazine • PKF Hospitality Research • Resort+Recreation • The Resort Trades • RestaurantEdge.com • Shibata Publishing Co. • The Lodging Conference • TravelCLICK • UniFocus • WageWatch • Inc. • WiredHotelier.com