The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (SHA) announced that Hilton Worldwide has become a member of the school's strategic corporate alliance program. "Hilton Worldwide is known for its leadership across the global hospitality industry-including its products, services, technology, and sustainability initiatives-making it an ideal research partner for Cornell," said Joe Strodel, Jr., director of corporate and foundation affairs, SHA. "This alliance with Hilton Worldwide will allow the school to explore new, innovative ways to advance the industry even further."Under the alliance, Hilton Worldwide will:
- become a senior partner of the Center for Hospitality Research and collaborate with the school on several dedicated research projects;
- become an industry fellow of the Center for Real Estate Finance, which creates knowledge about real estate and the impact of capital markets on commercial real estate;
- place Kevin Jacobs, senior vice president, corporate strategy and treasurer, Hilton Worldwide, on the Center for Hospitality Research's advisory board;
- have a seat on the Center for Real Estate Finance advisory board; and
- sponsor the school's premier industry events, including the Cornell Icon of the Industry Awards Dinner.
"This strategic alliance extends the collaboration between two organizations with names that are synonymous with excellence in hospitality," said Paul Brown, president, global brands and commercial services, Hilton Worldwide. "Cornell and Hilton have strong ties that date back more than a half century when Conrad Hilton purchased the hotel company of E. M. Statler, one of the school's principal benefactors and an industry icon. We are very proud to continue to build on that foundation and expand our historic relationship."
