‘Last Call’ for Early Registration for Annual HR in Hospitality Conference

Speakers hail Human Resource Executive / Cornell University-led event

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. October 14, 2008

HORSHAM, PA, December 17, 2007. Pre-Early Bird registration for the 2nd Annual National HR in HospitalityTM Conference is nearing an end. Attendees can save up to $350 if they register before January 18, 2008, for the premier event for hotel, restaurant and foodservice professionals in HR management, employment law and labor relations. The 3 1/2-day conference is scheduled for March 16-19, 2008, at the Wynn Las Vegas Resort.

HR in Hospitality is produced by Human Resource Executive(R) Magazine and developed and co-sponsored by Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration and the Cornell ILR School. The American Hotel & Lodging Association also endorses the event.

"The 2008 HR in HospitalityTM Conference certainly has created a buzz across the hotel, restaurant and foodservice industries, and registration momentum is building," said Harry Katz, Dean, Cornell University ILR School, Ithaca, N.Y. "The education sessions tackle tough issues for hotel, restaurant and foodservice professionals in HR management, with customized tracks for each of the three segments. More than 30 breakout sessions will be featured, along with three general sessions and two pre-conference symposiums. In addition, an Expo Hall is open for two days featuring more than 100 exhibitors."

'Speaking Out' on HR in Hospitality

Why should an HR professional attend? Hear what some of the speakers have to say:

"Human resource professionals no longer are just order takers - they need to step up their hiring practices and really know whom they are hiring," said presenter Diana M. Meisenhelter, principal of Riviera Advisors. "The hotel business in particular demands that talent-seekers step up. The HR in HospitalityTM Conference is working to make the future stronger for everyone involved in the hotel, restaurant and foodservice industries, and I'm thrilled to take part in it."

"I've had the opportunity to attend conferences produced by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in the past, but nothing compares to HR in HospitalityTM," said speaker Cindy McPheeters, corporate director of human resources for JHM Hotels. "It is very comforting to know there finally is an event that addresses issues my peers and I face every day. I'm thrilled to have been asked to speak at the 2008 conference because it's an event that I truly believe in. What you take away is worth every penny - and the networking is priceless."

"The HR in HospitalityTM Conference is a much-needed event that has taken an innovative approach in bringing together all sectors of hospitality to talk about what really drives our industry success: people," said presenter Kacy Oden, director of membership relations for People Report. "HR professionals and operators who want to know the real facts and figures about our workforce and the solutions that leading companies are already implementing should plan to attend this conference. We as an industry turn people over at a rate that almost outpaces how quickly we recruit them. Restaurateurs must create an employment brand that makes people want to work for them and stay working for them. This event will show the way."

Speaker Carolyn Richmond, partner and national co-chair, Hospitality Practice Group for Fox Rothschild LLP, said, "Today, restaurant owners are being sued in record proportion under federal and state wage and hour laws. This is a serious problem, from the largest international operators to mom and pops. However, owners need to find viable solutions that work within the legal framework. The HR in HospitalityTM Conference is designed to help participants better understand the ins and outs of operating within the parameters of the law, as well as how to prevent a lawsuit from even being filed."

Co-presenter Peter Bullard, founder and director of American Tescor LLC, had this to say: "Human resource professionals are continuously challenged to hire the best people they can find, and in order to be successful, companies need to implement evidenced-based tools to make their jobs easier and improve the earnings of the organization by reducing some severe hiring costs. Workers' compensation claims, short-term disability, skyrocketing medical costs, absence costs of all kinds, and employee turnover are all drains on the profitability of a foodservice organization. The HR in HospitalityTM Conference will instruct how HR can play a starring role in increasing profits without having to spend an additional dollar in revenue."

For registration details, including Pre-Early Bird registration and the conference's full agenda, visit www.HRinHospitality.com. For exhibitor and sponsorship information, contact Fred Kurst, Trade Show Manager: Southeast, Southwest, and Europe, at (703) 393-8304; or Nancy Sommar, Trade Show Manager: Northeast, Midwest, and Canada, at (215) 784-0910, ext. 6231.