Cornell offers new course on Sustainable Hospitality
Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration and the Johnson Graduate School of Management have joined forces with HEI Hotels & Resorts to create a course in which students will work with hospitality industry leaders to devise innovative and more cost-effective solutions to social and environmental issues.
This pioneering collaboration is being led by the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at the Cornell Hotel School and by the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson School. Funding and strategic guidance is being provided by HEI Hotels & Resorts, a hotel investment and operating group led by brothers Gary Mendell and Steven Mendell.
‘The hospitality industry must take the lead in confronting social and environmental issues such as global poverty, climate change, and ecosystem degradation,’ says Thomas Ward, managing director of the Pillsbury Institute. ‘Through this partnership, we aim to help students fully appreciate the need for sustainable business practices. Through the generosity of the Mendells, we also will provide students with field-based experience that will further prepare them to address the challenges they will face in the workforce.’
Students will work directly with corporate leaders to seek solutions to an array of sustainability concerns. Certain projects will focus on the greening of current operations, others on the refurbishment of existing assets and properties, and still others on the formation of new businesses. Projects will range across all facets of the hospitality industry, including lodging, food & beverage, and travel, and will be sited in markets around the globe.
‘We believe this course will benefit the students, sponsoring companies, and environment,’ says Gary Mendell, who along with Steven is a graduate of the Cornell Hotel School. ‘Students will develop and refine their critical analysis and decision-making skills, while executives will gain new perspectives on what they might do to become innovative leaders in the sustainability movement. HEI is thrilled to partner with Cornell and its students on this tremendous initiative.’
The new course, entitled Sustainable Global Enterprise Practicum in the Hospitality Industry, began in mid-October and will continue through mid-March. It is taught by Dr. Mark Milstein, director of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise and lecturer of Strategy, Innovation and Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Johnson School. Teams will conduct field work during the winter break.
Current enrollment includes 15 undergraduate upperclassmen and graduate students from the Hotel School, Johnson School, and Arts & Sciences.
About the Cornell School of Hotel Administration
The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration is shaping the global knowledge base for hospitality management through leadership in education, research and industry advancement. The school provides management instruction in the full range of hospitality disciplines, educating the next generation of leaders in the world’s largest industry. Founded in 1922 as the nation’s first collegiate course of study in hospitality management, the Cornell School of Hotel Administration is recognized as the world leader in its field. For more information, visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu.
About Pillsbury Institute
The institute advances the study and practice of entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry. Through our network of alumni, faculty, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, we give students the knowledge and skills they need to successfully pursue entrepreneurial endeavors. To learn more about the institute, visit: www.ihe.cornell.edu, or contact Tom Ward, managing director, Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at 607.255.1217 or via email at tlw54@cornell.edu.
About the Johnson School
Founded in 1946, the Johnson School is Cornell University’s graduate school of management. Consistently ranked as one of the top graduate schools of business, the Johnson School builds upon Cornell’s depth and breadth of distinguished research and teaching, and its vast, worldwide network of alumni, faculty, and colleagues. The school’s “performance learning” approach offers students defined frameworks and analytical tools, combined with expert feedback to solve real problems in real organizations. Deliberately small and extremely selective, the Johnson School maintains an intense, collaborative community, where students develop teamwork and networking skills that foster innovation and deliver results. Programs include one- and two-year MBA degrees, an Executive MBA and the Cornell-Queen’s Executive MBA, which offers interactive videoconferencing sessions across the U.S. and Canada. For more about the Johnson School please visit: www.johnson.cornell.edu.
About the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise
Founded in 2004, the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise is dedicated to building the next-generation management practices that enable growth and innovation strategies which address the world’s environmental and social problems. The Center’s focus on innovation and enterprise development guides its work with companies around the world to effectively identify, understand, and pursue competitive opportunities that solve those problems. For more about the Center please visit: www.johnson.cornell.edu/sge.
About HEI Hotels and Resorts
HEI Hotels & Resorts, headquartered in Norwalk, Conn., is a leading hospitality investment firm that acquires, develops, owns and operates full-service, upper upscale and luxury hotels and resorts throughout the United States under such well-known brand names as Marriott, Sheraton, Westin, Le Meridien, Embassy Suites, and Hilton. For more information about HEI, visit the company’s website, www.heihotels.com.
More like this:
Tagged as:
climate change, Cornell University, education, hospitality, poverty, sustainable-
Share this on your favorite network
-
Email this to a friend
-
No Comments
Next Steps: Share It!
-
Subscribe to TerraCurve via RSS
-
Follow on Twitter
-
Become a Facebook Fan
Follow TerraCurve
Subscribe
Hotels and Accommodations
Latest Headline
Bed and Breakfasts: fun, sustainable and romantic!
Leading B&B website iLoveInns.com has awarded 14 traveler-favorite romantic Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns just in time for the launch of its new iPhone App, “InnTouch”. The new “Travelers’ Choice for Romance” award is based on candid guest reviews guests on iLoveInns.com, lending new insight into the mysterious qualities that make an inspiring romantic getaway. Full story
Subscribe
Destinations and Tourism
Latest Headline
New GPS-guided adventure-pedicab tours in America’s oldest city
There is a new and innovative way to experience St. Augustine, Florida. GPS multimedia pedicab tour - “Shivers and Awe Ghost Ride” - enhance the haunted tourism experience of North America’s oldest city in an environmentally friendly way. Full story
- Colorado’s Gateway Canyons Resort challenges women’s minds, bodies and spirits with a wellness retreat
- Help protect the Belize Barrier Reef with the support of the United Nations
- Top 10 things to do in The Alleghenies this Summer
- Charlottesville, VA kicks green tourism into high gear
- Travel by train and see the world like never before
More Headlines
Subscribe
Dining and Recreation
Latest Headline
Clean, green beaches are always good for family fun
As families and beach-lovers around the country prepare to flock to the shored for the July 4th weekend, the Clean Beach Council has just released its annual list of clean and healthy beaches for “National Clean Beaches Week” - highlighting family-friendly beaches that are clean, healthy and above all environmentally well-managed. Full story
Subscribe
Volunteer Travel
Latest Headline
Volunteer eco-travel meets Italian cuisine
An 8-day Italian Riviera tour sponsored by sustainable travel group Peace Through Travel mixes volunteer travel and ecotourism; combining wine, language and regional cuisine with nature paths, volunteer excursions and inter-cultural social events. Full story
- New travel documentary scholarship to Vietnam from WorldNomads.com
- Volunteer travel is on the rise
- New Himalayan volunteer study program
- G.A.P Adventures and Planeterra gear up to celebrate Earth Month 2009
- Toyota launches a new travel program for teachers to promote sustainability in U.S. schools
More Headlines
Subscribe
Airlines and Transportation
Latest Headline
Flyers choose green with a new flight booking tool
Even in today’s rough economy, travelers are eager to put the environment first. A new and free online flight search tool has shown that, when given a choice, travelers typically choose carbon-efficient flights. Full story
Subscribe
Fuel and Emissions
Latest Headline
Gas price incentives: A benefit for travel, or just fueling the fire?
In today’s bad economy, travelers are still planning summer trips. However, with once-again-rising gas prices stopping some travelers in their tracks, can price incentives really help or hurt the travel economy? Full story
- American Airlines demo flight curbs carbon emissions
- Biofuel flights arriving at an airport near you? Let's hope so.
- Obama supports biofuel development and expansion
- Galapagos tour cruise company Ecoventura aims to be 100% free of fossil fuels by 2015
- New 100% 'Off-Grid' eco resort coming to California from Ramona Indians
More Headlines
Subscribe
Research and Development
Latest Headline
UNEP lays foundation for Environmental eLearning Network in Africa
Environmental authorities have teamed with 14 African countries to develop an African Environmental eLearning Network in an effort to strengthen eco-education programs through technology. Full story
- Stimulus package explained: How it can help you go green
- World Oceans Day 2009: UNEP works to ensure cleaner oceans for a greener planet
- Element Hotels says the economy drives green travel, not the environment
- Fair trade tourism in South Africa gains ground
- New 100% 'Off-Grid' eco resort coming to California from Ramona Indians
More Headlines
Subscribe
Products and Services
Latest Headline
Bed and Breakfasts: fun, sustainable and romantic!
Leading B&B website iLoveInns.com has awarded 14 traveler-favorite romantic Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns just in time for the launch of its new iPhone App, “InnTouch”. The new “Travelers’ Choice for Romance” award is based on candid guest reviews guests on iLoveInns.com, lending new insight into the mysterious qualities that make an inspiring romantic getaway. Full story
- Get paperless airport guides and flight tracking on your iPhone with 'iFly' apps
- Microsoft steps into the travel search arena with a "Bing"
- Free fitness training for Kilimanjaro trekkers
- Locals know best: new online travel guides by local gurus
- New adventure travel website gives back to local communities
More Headlines
Subscribe
Awards and Events
Latest Headline
London’s five-star Dorchester receives high honors for being green
This year’s inaugural Green500 and Better Buildings Partnership awards saw the city of London’s greenest lodging and lifestyle brands receive commendation by London Mayor Boris Johnson. The awards were handed out to organizations ranging from travel, sports, arts, education, transport and more. Full story
- What is Sheraton doing to go green in Seattle?
- Building on a message of ‘Hope’ against climate change
- Tradeshows can be green, too! Travel meetings and events company gets nominated for sustainability award
- The 2009 Skål International Ecotourism Awards sets date for November
- Bike tour and adventure company wins Nat Geo award for 'Tour of a Lifetime'
More Headlines
Subscribe
Society and Lifestyle
Latest Headline
Help protect our National Parks with a new video challenge
The new “Your Parks Video Challenge” campaign, sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Olympus (the camera people), wants you to submit a video at Yourparks.com for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the National Park of Your Choice, an Olympus PEN Camera Kit, and more. Full story
Subscribe
Business and Politics
Latest Headline
Dubai tourism to reduce carbon emissions by 20% for 2011
The Dubai Department of Tourism is planning to reduce carbon emissions throughout its travel and lodging industries by 20% come 2011, focusing on the conservation of natural resources and sensible use of energy, water and gas. This marks the latest detail of Dubai’s sustainable tourism agenda, which it is building upon with its plans for this year’s Dubai Green Tourism Award to be presented on World Environment Day in December 2009. Full story
- How are LEED standards getting more energy-serious?
- Charlottesville, VA kicks green tourism into high gear
- TRX delivers carbon tracking solutions to booking tools
- Florida's Green Lodging Program: Only the good die young
- Green business travel events and meetings gets an eco-incentive with tree planting initiatives
More Headlines
Subscribe
Books and Publications
Latest Headline
Learn how to explore history with a negative impact
The “Guide to Best Practices for Archaeological Tourism” highlights good practices for anyone interested in visiting archaeological sites, outlining practices that allow for proper, sustainable archaeological tourism, giving visitors the opportunity to fully experience ancient sites while minimizing any negative impact. Full story
- Should Earth Day be just once a year, or every day? Grist says "Screw" it
- Fodor's Travel Guide goes paperless with the ECTACO jetBook
- New Galapagos DVD: 'A Musical Odyssey'
- Clinton Global Initiative and others motivate kids to help save endangered gorillas
- 'Coming Clean' - new book explores how to break America's fossil fuel addiction
More Headlines
Dubai tourism to reduce carbon emissions by 20% for 2011
The Dubai Department of Tourism is planning to reduce carbon emissions throughout its travel and lodging industries by 20% come 2011, focusing on the conservation of natural resources and sensible use of energy, water and gas. This marks the latest detail of Dubai’s sustainable tourism agenda, which it is building upon with its plans for this year’s Dubai Green Tourism Award to be presented on World Environment Day in December 2009.
New GPS-guided adventure-pedicab tours in America’s oldest city
There is a new and innovative way to experience St. Augustine, Florida. GPS multimedia pedicab tour - “Shivers and Awe Ghost Ride” - enhance the haunted tourism experience of North America’s oldest city in an environmentally friendly way.
Help protect our National Parks with a new video challenge
The new “Your Parks Video Challenge” campaign, sponsored by the National Park Foundation and Olympus (the camera people), wants you to submit a video at Yourparks.com for a chance to win an exclusive trip to the National Park of Your Choice, an Olympus PEN Camera Kit, and more.
Colorado’s Gateway Canyons Resort challenges women’s minds, bodies and spirits with a wellness retreat
Nestled within the breathtaking canyons of southwest Colorado, “soft adventure” destination Gateway Canyons Resort will host the second annual Women’s Wellness Weekend on July 24-26, 2009. Headlined by award-winning naturopathic physician, Dr. Penny Kendall-Reed, this weekend agenda may be just what the doctor ordered.
Bed and Breakfasts: fun, sustainable and romantic!
Leading B&B website iLoveInns.com has awarded 14 traveler-favorite romantic Bed & Breakfasts and Country Inns just in time for the launch of its new iPhone App, “InnTouch”. The new “Travelers’ Choice for Romance” award is based on candid guest reviews guests on iLoveInns.com, lending new insight into the mysterious qualities that make an inspiring romantic getaway.
Email


Subscribe via RSS
Follow on Twitter
Become a Facebook Fan
Get Email Updates



Comment on this