CQ312783.qxd  12/17/2007  11:12 AM  Page 4
© 2008 CORNELL UNIVERSITY
DOI: 10.1177/1938965507312783 
Volume 49, Issue 1 4-5
From the Center
Synergies for HR 
in Hospitality
Iam looking forward to March, not only because win- same time, ILR alumnus Bruce Raynor, president ofter is nearly over here in the Northern Hemisphere, Unite Here (the hospitality industry’s largest union),but because it means that we will attend the Annual and Ken Kahn, president of LRP Publications (a Center
National HR in Hospitality Conference and Exposition Partner that, in addition to its publications, develops
to be held March 16 to 19 at the Wynn Hotel in Las and runs conferences on variety of topics), agreed to
Vegas. This year’s conference, the second of its kind, work with both the Hotel School and the ILR School to
represents the culmination of a vision shared by the develop an HR in Hospitality Conference.
leaders of Cornell’s Hotel School and its ILR School, as Universities are not, however, conference planners.
well as two prominent alumni. Before identifying these With that in mind, Ken agreed to provide all the plan-
people and explaining the conference, a little back- ning, logistical support, marketing, and all other tasks
ground is necessary. necessary to run a large conference. He then asked
Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration has for Deans Katz and Johnson to provide the content. With
eighty-five years enjoyed the reputation as the world’s the help of Artie Nathan, an ILR graduate who opened
preeminent hospitality management school. Similarly, the Wynn Hotel, and a number of ILR and Hotel School
Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, faculty, as well as numerous industry professionals,
now known as the ILR School, has been regarded as the last year’s First Annual National HR in Hospitality
best school of its kind since being founded in 1948. The Conference and Exposition was a rousing success.
germ for the idea of a cosponsored conference began in More than five hundred people attended, and the
spring 2006 when the ILR School named Harry Katz as reviews were outstanding. There was, however, one
dean. Dean Katz built bridges between the two schools request. Participants wanted to “dig deeper” on certain
when he agreed to become a cosponsor of the Hotel topics and wanted true discussions. This year’s confer-
School’s Labor and Employment Law Roundtable and ence features these types of sessions.
its Human Resource Roundtable. In July 2006, Michael This year’s conference will kick off with hot topics
Johnson became dean of the Hotel School. Around that in Human Resources and Employment Law. ILR and
4 Cornell Hospitality Quarterly Downloaded from cqx.sagepub.com at CORNELL UNIV on September 25, 2014 FEBRUARY 2008
CQ312783.qxd  12/17/2007  11:12 AM  Page 5
FROM THE CENTER ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
School of Hotel Administration faculty will on alternative dispute resolution and the
provide an overview of topics including proper method for responding to EEOC and
effective staffing strategies; safeguarding FLSA charges.
against sexual harassment and retaliation; From the Center’s point of view, it is an
demonstrating the value of HR; Federal honor to be part of such a professional
Labor Standards Act–related developments conference filled with exciting and infor-
at the federal, state, and local levels; HR mative content. From a personal point of
data that drive business performance; and view, as a faculty member at the School of
managing workplace privacy. Next, each Hotel Administration and an ILR School
faculty member, along with two industry graduate, I am thankful for the efforts of
leaders, will conduct a series of roundtables Deans Johnson and Katz along with Ken
to discuss these issues with participants. Kahn and Bruce Raynor for making this
The industry leaders who will participate in great idea a reality.
the roundtables and other sessions include One final note: in the last issue of 
such Center Partners as Joe Baumgarten the CQ, while discussing the history of the
and Bob Batterman from Proskauer, Rose; Center, I inadvertently failed to include the
Gregg Gilman from Davis & Gilbert; and contributions of Professor Leo Renaghan,
Jo-Anne Kruse from Travelport. In addi- who was the Center’s director from 1994
tion, lawyers and HR professionals from to 1998. During his tenure, Leo brought 
companies and law firms such Hilton Hotels; in nine partners, held the first Amedeo
Harrah’s; Texas Wings; Shea, Stokes, Fox, research competition, and awarded several
Rothschild; Sysco; Club Corp.; Brinker research grants. I wish to apologize for
International; and Loews Hotels and Resorts this omission, thank Leo for all that he did
will be presenting or leading roundtables. in the continuing efforts of the Center, and
This year’s conference also features sepa- make it clear that the Center continued to
rate tracks for restaurants, food service, and grow during Leo’s tenure.
labor relations over two and one-half days.
In addition, there is a preconference session —David Sherwyn
FEBRUARY 2008 Downloaded from cqx.sagepub.com at CORNELL UNIV on September 25, 2014 Cornell Hospitality Quarterly 5