3rd HR in Hospitality Conference - NEW Location, NEW Speakers, NEW Topics

At Disney's Contemporary Resort, March 17-19, Register before Jan. 16, 2009, save $350

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. October 14, 2008

HORSHAM, PA, September 29, 2008. The third time's the charm, and the 3rd Annual National HR in HospitalityTM Conference & Expo (www.HRinHospitality.com), March 17 - 19, 2009, at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., will be no exception. Produced by Human Resource Executive(R) Conferences and developed and co-sponsored by the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and the Cornell University ILR School, HR in HospitalityTM is expected to be the biggest and best human resource event specifically for professionals in HR management, employment law and labor relations in the hospitality industry.

Pre-Early Bird registration for the event is now open. HR directors and managers in hotels, restaurants, and casinos; corporate managers and staff who deal with HR-related functions; general managers; staff of local, regional, and national union offices; VPs of labor relations at corporate or regional offices and union properties; and hospitality law attorneys can save $350 if they register before January 16, 2009.

"In just three years, a winning line-up of sponsors and speakers has made HR in HospitalityTM the foremost forum for human resource practitioners to network and learn about the latest research findings from faculty of both of the Cornell schools, and to hear what's going on in other hospitality organizations from top executives," said Harry Katz, dean of Cornell's ILR School, Ithaca, N.Y. "This event offers attendees access to the people and ideas that are shaping the hospitality industry's future, and to practical advice that can be put into action immediately."

HR in HospitalityTM will feature General Session presentations by industry notables such as Christopher J. Nassetta, President and CEO, Hilton Hotels Corp., and Kelli Valade, SVP, PeopleWorks, Chili's and Brinker International. In addition, a compelling and thought-provoking panel discussion, Anticipating Change: Political, Social and Economic Forces That Will Shape the Industry, is expected to be a big draw.

The two-and-a-half-day event will present 25 seminars across five tracks: HR Hot Topics; HR in Hotels; HR in Restaurants; Labor Relations and for 2009, HR Best Practices. Each track has its own educational sessions targeting that particular discipline.

David Sherwyn, Associate Professor of Law and Academic Director, The Center for Hospitality Research, Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, said a panel discussion on the effect of the 2008 elections in addition to the increased emphasis on roundtables and interactive sessions will make the 2009 conference the best yet.

"In difficult economic times, the role of HR professionals changes and becomes more and more important," Sherwyn said. "Through this conference, these individuals will be exposed to cutting-edge research and ideas from industry leaders and academics who are prepared to discuss today's great challenges. Participants in the past have asked for more detail and more interaction, and this event delivers. From high-level discussions to individual networking, this conference is more valuable than ever."

Kathryn Milarta, Corporate Director of HR for Aimbridge Hospitality, Carrollton, Texas, concurred: "As an attendee of the 2nd Annual HR in HospitalityTM conference, I was able to gain knowledge and insight into best practices - specifically those focused on training, retention, and development - used by HR experts across the country and within all segments of the hospitality industry. This event is important to HR practitioners because it contributes to our continuing education and keeps us up to date on current and future legislative changes. In addition, the event provides face-to-face networking opportunities as well as the opportunity to strengthen current relationships.

"Not only am I proud to be a speaker at the 3rd Annual event, (Developing Political Savvy: A Critical Skill for Women in HR, Thursday, March 19, 9:45 a.m.) but I also look forward to participating in the HR in Hotels seminars to continually learn and develop new skills that will keep our hotels providing the best possible service to our employees as well as our guests," she said.

In addition to the conference, the HR in HospitalityTM Expo Hall is open for two days and will feature more than 75 exhibitors. The Expo is designed to further assist attendees through exposure to products and services related to: Benefits Administration, Compensation Systems & Services, Diversity Hiring/Compliance Training, Employee Assistance Programs, Foodservices, HR Consulting, HRO, Insurance, Payroll Software & Services, Recruitment, Retirement & 401(K) Services, Safety & Security Services, Training, Wealth Benefits & Group Life, Disability & Workers' Compensation and more.

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