Faculty & Research
Executives, Professors Debate Leadership at Cornell Roundtable
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joe Strodel, Jr., 607-255-4646, js343@cornell.edu
Ithaca, NY, October 12, 2005 - CEOs and other senior executives from leading hospitality companies and professors from the Cornell Hotel School gathered recently to take part in the School's first roundtable on leadership. Sponsored by the School's Center for Hospitality Research, the event provided a forum to explore the many facets of a personal attribute often studied but never quite fully understood.
In the opening session participants sought to define leadership and the extent to which it can be measured. A second session focused on the need to develop and retain leaders in hospitality, viewed by some as a relatively mature service industry. Another discussion centered on the challenges leaders face in instilling trust in employees and maintaining that trust during periods of rapid change. In the final session, participants debated how leaders can best create and sustain a culture in which employees maintain an emotional commitment to both the company and its service delivery.
"The roundtable attracted a diverse group who shared provocative views on how leadership is practiced by different sectors of the industry," said Bill Eaton, president & COO, Cini-Little International, Inc. "Much of the discussion centered on how each sector can enhance or improve its own style, which I found extremely beneficial."
Roundtable participants included James C. Allen, Executive VP/General Manager, Southern Wine & Spirits of New York; Professor Judi Brownell, Cornell Hotel School; Professor Steve Carvell, Cornell Hotel School; William Eaton, President & COO, Cini-Little International, Inc; Professor Cathy Enz, Cornell Hotel School; Robert Fox, Vice President of Human Resources, Carlson Hotels Worldwide; Charles Henry, President, Hotel Capital Advisers, Inc.; Professor Timothy Hinkin, Cornell Hotel School; Michael Johnson, Dean-elect, Cornell Hotel School; Professor Arturs Kalnins, Cornell Hotel School; Professor and Interim Dean Sherri Kimes, Cornell Hotel School; Joseph Lavin, CEO, Harborstone Hospitality; Mark V. Lomanno, President, Smith Travel Research; Roger C. Mayer, Professor, University of Akron; Michael O'Donovan, Vice President of Global Research & Development, Dunkin' Brands; Leland Pillsbury, Co-Chairman & CEO, Thayer Lodging Group, Inc; Robert E. Rich; Organizational Consultant, Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations;Professor Grant Savage, University of Alabama; Robert R. Schiller, President & COO, Armor Holdings; Professor Dave Sherwyn, Cornell Hotel School; John N. Simons, former President & CEO, Swift International; Professor Tony Simons, Cornell Hotel School; Joseph Strodel, Jr., Managing Director, Cornell Center for Hospitality Research; Professor Michael Sturman, Cornell Hotel School; Ted Teng, former President & COO, Wyndham International; Professor Gary Thompson, Cornell Hotel School, Professor Bruce Tracey, Cornell Hotel School; Professor Kate Walsh, Cornell Hotel School; Steven M. Wells, President, American Food and Vending Company; and Bob Wright, Co-Founder, The Wright Institute for Lifelong Learning.
The Center for Hospitality Research sponsors several roundtables each year on varied subjects such as human resources, law, design and information technology. For more information about sponsoring or participating in an event, contact Joe Strodel, Center managing director, at 607.255.4646, or at js343@cornell.edu.
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