Students transform the Statler into Hotel Ezra Cornell this weekend

Hotel School students will be running the show during the annual fete called Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC) this weekend.

On Friday, April 20, Statler Hotel managers will hand over the ceremonial key to the on-campus facility to HEC directors, and for the rest of the weekend all hotel services and events will be handled by more than 400 student managers and volunteers from the School of Hotel Administration.

Students will put on the Ritz for more than 200 top hospitality-industry guests and Hotel School alumni in the 150-room Statler Hotel through Sunday, April 22. Headline events for HEC will have an educational theme and will include:

• The Hotel School Student Research Competition -- Undergraduate and graduate students will brief faculty members and guests on the findings of their research.

• Innovative Management Tactics -- A student-produced computer simulation and discussion program illuminating successful tactics in food and beverage, lodging and human-resources management.

• Experience Innovations -- A symposium produced by graduate students in the master of management in hospitality (MMH) program, featuring Joe Pine, author of The Experience Economy, and a panel of hospitality executives, including: Barbara Talbott, executive vice president of strategic marketing for Four Seasons; Drew Nieporent, owner of Myriad Restaurant Group; Rob Delamater, vice president of creative services for Joie de Vivre Hospitality; and Dave Hanlon, former president of Rio Hotel/Suite and current Cornell Hotel School executive-in-residence.

Senior Steve Weisz, HEC managing director, said the 17-member student board of directors hopes its program strategy for the weekend will impress visiting alumni and influence future HEC organizers.

"Historically, HEC has incorporated educational events in its programs, especially in recent years," Weisz said. "We are stressing that element of the tradition as a way of encouraging future HEC boards to keep the educational program value strong."

In addition to the educational programming, HEC will showcase the school's culinary savvy with an array of special food and beverage presentations grouped by themes, among them:

• Cirque du Panache -- An opening cocktail reception, with a circus theme.
• The Artist's Palate -- A Friday-night dinner introducing guests to the talents of the Statler Hotel's new executive chef, Craig Hartman, former chef of at the Cliff House Hotel in Colorado Springs.
• Serenity -- An afternoon tea featuring Asian cuisine.
• Wine Tasting -- Saturday, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., sponsored by New York City's Gramercy Tavern.
• Gala at Chateau Blanc -- A Saturday-night black-tie banquet, featuring presentations by Cornell President Hunter Rawlings, Dean David Butler, officers of the Cornell Hotel Society and student speakers.