The Cornell University School of Hotel Administration (SHA) has announced that American Express Publishing will be the title sponsor of the fourth annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards, June 5, 2012, at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. The awards gala will honor the Tisch family as the recipients of the Cornell Icon of the Industry Award and Kathleen "Katie" Taylor, president and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, as recipient of the Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award. Nancy Novogrod, senior vice president/editorial director of American Express Publishing and editor in chief of Travel + Leisure, will co-present the Cornell Icon of the Industry Award with Michael D. Johnson, dean and E. M. Statler Professor at SHA."Through publications such as Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Departures, and Executive Travel, American Express Publishing has become a leading global voice in hospitality and travel trends and experiences," said Jon Denison, associate dean for external affairs at SHA. "For the past two years, we have had the pleasure of collaborating with Travel + Leisure as exclusive media co-host of the Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards, and now we are excited to welcome American Express Publishing as title sponsor of the event."Ed Kelly, CEO of American Express Publishing, added: "Across all our brands, we at American Express Publishing have the highest regard for the quality of the education and ongoing leadership provided by the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration. Having worked with so many outstanding alumni through the years, and this year having the opportunity to honor the Tisch family and Katie Taylor, we view it as a special privilege to be associated with this important event."Since its inception in 2009, the Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards has grown to be the largest event on the SHA calendar, attracting more than 800 of the most influential leaders and innovators in the hospitality and travel industry. The event raises funds to support SHA's scholarships and programs.The 2012 gala already has more than 65 corporate sponsors. Joining Travel + Leisure as exclusive media co-host is USA TODAY; Baccarat, Groupe du Louvre, and Marriott International are diamond sponsors; Amazing Taste, LLC is strategic marketing and event consultant; and The CSK Group is directing strategic brand marketing and design. To partner with the school on this premier event, please contact Joe Strodel, Jr., director of communications and corporate affairs, at [email protected]. For additional information, please visit www.hotelschool.cornell.edu/industry/events/awardsdinner.html.About American Express PublishingAmerican Express Publishing Corporation produces authoritative lifestyle content that empowers affluent, primed consumers–and the businesses that serve them–to make informed decisions. The company tells customers where to fly, what to try, and what to buy next. Through the lens of five multi-media brands—Travel + Leisure, Food & Wine, Departures, Executive Travel, and Black Ink—content is available in magazines, digitally, on-air, on mobile devices, in branded books, through membership clubs, events, and throughout 50 countries with 25 editions in 9 languages. For more information: www.amexpub.com.