Ithaca, NY, Thousands of employees at some of the world's foremost hospitality-related companies will gain preferred access to the online courses offered by eCornell, through a groundbreaking arrangement with Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research, eCornell, and the Office of Executive Education at the School of Hotel Administration. eCornell, which is a subsidiary of Cornell University, will become a full partner with the center in offering this opportunity.

As a benefit to its partners, the center, eCornell, and the Office of Executive Education have developed preferred pricing for employees of the center's partners. The online courses are designed to lead to one or more of ten certificates, which have been developed specifically for the industry by faculty members at the Cornell School of Hotel Administration and the Johnson Graduate School of Management.

"We continue to seek innovative and helpful methods to share research-based information with the industry, and to help industry practitioners improve their knowledge and skills," said Jennifer Macera, associate director of the Center for Hospitality Research. "This is especially important in the current economic environment."

"eCornell is excited to be working with the Center for Hospitality Research in this new type of partnership," added Chris Proulx, chief executive officer of eCornell. "eCornell has been working extensively with the hospitality industry since 2002 and we are pleased to provide this additional opportunity for industry employees."

With a substantial discount on eCornell's courses, partner employees will be able to earn a key credential in their field, including the Certificate in Strategic Hospitality Management, Master Certificate in Foodservice Management, or the Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investment & Asset Management. Other certificate programs focus on revenue management, hospitality marketing, and leadership.

About eCornell

eCornell, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cornell University, provides many of the world's leading organizations with online, asynchronous professional and executive development in the areas of strategy, leadership and management development, human resources, financial management and hospitality management. Its proven course development model and instructor-led course delivery provide for engaging, rigorous and interactive learning. The company has delivered over 110,000 courses to students in 180 countries. For more information, visit www.ecornell.com.

The Office of Executive Education (OEE) at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration facilitates interactive learning opportunities where global hospitality professionals and world-class Cornell faculty explore, develop and apply ideas to advance business and personal success. In partnership with eCornell the OEE offers a wide range of online courses. In addition, OEE offers classroom-based programs that target specific hospitality management topics. All programs are developed to address the ever-changing needs of hospitality professionals and organizations. Visit http://www.Hotelschool.cornell.edu/execed.

About the Center for Hospitality Research

The purpose of the Center for Hospitality Research is to enable and conduct research of significance to the global hospitality and related service industries. CHR also works to improve the connections between academe and industry, continuing the School of Hotel Administration's long-standing tradition of service to the hospitality industry. Founded in 1992, CHR remains the industry's foremost creator and distributor of timely research, all of which is posted at no charge for all to use. In addition to its industry advisory board, CHR convenes several industry roundtables each year for the purpose of identifying new issues affecting the hospitality industry.

Center Members: Accenture • Access Point Financial, Inc. • Barclaycard US • Cvent • Davis & Gilbert LLP • Deloitte & Touche USA LLP • DerbySoft • Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts • Fox Rothschild LLP • Hilton Worldwide • Host Hotels & Resorts • Hyatt Hotels Corporation • IDeaS Revenue Solutions • InterContinental Hotels Group • Jumeirah Group • Marriott International • NTT DATA • Preferred Hotels & Resorts • priceline.com • PwC • The Rainmaker Group • RateGain • ReviewPro • Revinate • Sabre Hospitality Solutions • STR • Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces • Tata Consultancy Services • Wipro EcoEnergy • Wyndham Hotel Group

Glenn Withiam
607.255.3025
CHR