2021 SHA/MMH Hotelie Weekend
The CHS New York City Chapter had a great SHA/MMH Hotelie Weekend Happy Hour at Arlo Nomad on Friday November 12, 2021.
CHS New York Happy Hour
The CHS New York City Chapter had a great Happy Hour at Clinton Hall, near POD 51 Hotel on Monday Nov 8th. Thanks to all who joined us and to Clinton Hall team for their hospitality!
Hotelie Zinck’s Night
The CHS New York City Chapter had a great “Hotelie Zinck’s Night and Welcome to Recent Alumni” at NYC’s newest hotel, The Graduate Roosevelt Island on Thursday Oct 21. It was held at the Panorama Room Rooftop, with amazing views of NYC. Thanks to all who joined us and to The Panorama Room team for their hospitality!
Hotelies Gather in Zagreb
The CHS AlpAdria and Eastern Europe Chapter held their third annual breakfast for current and future Hotelies attending the Adria Hotel Forum 2021 in Zagreb. The event was held on September 16 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Georgia Lodging Outlook 2021
On Thursday, September 9, 2021 the Georgia Chapter of the Cornell Hotel Society collaborated with the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association to host the annual Georgia Lodging Outlook breakfast seminar. A crowd of 200 area hotel industry professionals were in attendance. This year’s event was held at the Hilton Hotel in Downtown Atlanta.
Jim Sprouse, President of the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association, and CHS Georgia chapter Vice President Bhav Vivek ’11 provided welcome remarks. American Hotel & Lodging Association President and CEO Chip Rogers followed with an executive summary of the work AHLA is doing to secure federal aid for the lodging industry to assist recovery.
The first educational panel was entitled “Employment Trends and Strategies for Success.” Sharing their expertise were Del Ross, Chief Revenue Officer for Hotel Effectiveness, Pete Sams, Chief Operating Officer of Davidson Hotels & Resorts, and Brandon Turner, president of Global Hotels.
Following the labor panel, local area experts presented their outlook for 2022:
- Bram Gallagher Ph.D. – Sr. Economist, CBRE Hotels
- Mark Vaughan, EVP and Chief Sales Officer for the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau
- Tim Dick ’88 – Executive Vice President Hotel Advisory & Asset Management, CBRE Hotels
Mark Woodworth ’77, Principal – R.M. Woodworth & Associates, served as moderator for the entire program. Thanks to eCornell who donated two certificates for $1,560 worth of online courses to raffle off for lucky attendees.
CHS Rome – Fireside Chat with Tony Capuano ‘87
“Travel and change of place impart vigor to the mind”
On Thursday, September 9, 2021,Cornell Hotel Society (CHS) members from as far as Zagreb, Milan, Verona, Sardinia and Tuscany, came together in Rome for a special meeting with Anthony Capuano, class of ’87, and CEO of Marriott International.
Before we enjoyed a fun and lively reception in the Lumen Garden at the St. Regis Rome, we gathered together in the Salone Ritz – Rome’s first public ballroom built in 1894 and opened by legendary hotelier, Cesar Ritz. Like Hotelies, we pulled chairs and tables together, like we were preparing for some make-shift group project in the Regent Lounge at the Statler Hotel, to have an informal chat with Tony, hear his views on the state of the industry, the future of hospitality, and what it was like to ascend to CEO in the midst of a global pandemic and taking the place after the sudden and tragic loss of Arne Sorenson.
At his request, we called the event a Fireside Chat, a name that comes from President FDR during the Great Depression and WWII who hosted radio programs aimed at comforting American families at home with talks of hope and optimism. Along the same vein, I asked Tony if he could offer any words of comfort to us in the industry now. And his poignant answer included the above quote by ancient Roman philosopher, Seneca. He emphasized that while the pandemic has brought incalculable loss both in life and business, it also spurred creativity and leadership to take center stage – like transforming the St. Regis’ antiquated smoking lounge into an outdoor cocktail garden and restaurant. And it’s with this sense of optimism that he, and his exceptional team, continue to move the world’s largest hotel company forward to lead the industry.
A massive thanks to everyone who made the event possible. Giuseppe De Martino and his team at the St. Regis Rome. Palmiro Noschese, whose black book in Rome helped reach members who haven’t been active in years. Silvija Iliskovic Balagovic whose dedication to CHS is inspiring, and led an incredible and productive hybrid chapter meeting before. Christian N Walter and Nils of PKF who offered an insightful analysis of the future of hospitality, “Serviced Living”. And everyone else who gave their time to be there with us. It always makes me so proud to be a #HotelieForLife with all of you.
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Submitted by Jonathon Dominic Spada ’10, founder of SAYHELLO Creative, and organizer of the event.
Singapore Chapter Hosts Farewell Event For Bill Minnock ’79
On Friday, June 25, the Cornell Hotel Society – Singapore Chapter hosted a farewell Zoom party for Bill Minnock ’79 who, after spending 7 wonderful years on the island, has relocated to pursue the next chapter in his life. Friends and family dialed in from all over the world – Germany, Hong Kong, Thailand, and Singapore – to honor his contributions to the chapter and reaffirm our love and support of him as an immensely generous and influential Cornell University School of Hotel Administration alum.
Finland, Russia and the Baltic Chapter Lunch
Thanks to Ville Relander IMHI Essec ’05 for hosting the CHS Finland, Russia and Baltic Chapter at his restaurant, The Cock, in Helsinki, Finland. The event was held on Thursday, June 3. Ville has hosted a few meetings during COVID when local laws have allowed. The Hotelies in attendance had a lot of issues to catch up on. Attendees were able to purchase the newly printed CHS EMEA 60th anniversary history. Next time, the group will meet at Ville’s other restaurant – Madonna.
Pictured from Left to Right: Juha Mähönen, Ville Relander, Martti Palonperä Riikka Moreau in the back Jere Talonen, Esko Paalasmaa,Deiv Salutskij and Merit Kuusniemi
Mercy Me – Cocktails in Person!
The CHS Washington DC/Baltimore Chapter hosted their first in-person and virtual programming event of 2021! Attendees gathered at Mercy Me at Yours Truly (one of DC’s newest hotels) for a cocktail making class, networking, and hotel property tour. The event was held on one of their outdoor patios, with social distancing considered. The Chapter also provided CHS members with a virtual option. Attendees were able to order their own cocktail making kit from Mercy Me’s website for pick up and then join online via a live stream of the cocktail class and online networking after.
Alumni Trustee Elections – February 2021
In February of 2021, Cornell University alumni will have the opportunity to vote for two alumni to serve on the Board of Trustees. This year’s nominees are:
- John Balen ’82 (ENG), MBA ‘86
- Liv Gussing Burgess ’91 (Hotel)
- A’ndrea Van Schoick ’96 (CALS)
- Kim Wagner ’85 (CALS)
To learn more about the candidates and the role of the trustees, please visit Alumni Trustee Elections – 2021.
The Executive Board of the Cornell Hotel Society encourages all alumni to participate in the election. During February, be on the lookout for emails from the Cornell Department of Alumni Affairs or visit the website link above.
