Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC) is an annual student-run hospitality conference that has been
an 87-year tradition at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration. The conference
attracts hospitality industry leaders and school alumni, faculty, and students to
the Cornell campus and the Statler Hotel for a weekend of networking, education,
entertainment, and culinary experiences. Students involved with HEC spend an entire
year planning the conference and hold several educational, leisure, charity, and food
and beverage events throughout the year to prepare for the weekend. HEC provides its
student volunteers with a leadership development opportunity grounded in experiential
learning. A variety of Hotel School alumni and hospitality industry leaders are invited
every year. Past guests include John Sharpe - Former President/COO, Four Seasons,
Gerald Lawless - Executive Chairman, Jumeriah Group, John Harney - Founder/Owner,
Harney & Sons Fine Teas, Steve Wynn - Founder & Chairman, Wynn Resort, and Ted
Teng - President & CEO, The Leading Hotels of the World.