Cornell's Conversations with Entrepreneurs Series Features Shelley Rosen
CEO and Founder of Airlift Ideas, Inc.
ITHACA, NY, November 22, 2006. The Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship at Cornell's School of Hotel Administration welcomes Shelley Rosen, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Airlift Ideas, Inc., as the featured speaker in its Conversations with Entrepreneurs series on November 29, 2006. Rosen will present from 10:15 - 11:15 a.m. in Room 265, Statler Hall.
"Shelley Rosen has created unique brand strategies for leading companies in the restaurant industry and we look forward to her visit to Cornell to share her wisdom with our students," stated Cathy Enz, Associate Dean for Industry Research and Affairs.
As CEO and Founder of Airlift Ideas, Inc., Rosen has developed and implemented new business strategies to create wealth for both emerging and traditional brands in the hospitality industry. Airlift has recently led a global branding effort for Arby's Restaurant Group that includes developing and executing a new restaurant concept.
Prior to Airlift Ideas, Rosen was an executive at McDonald's Corporation, a Fortune 50 brand. She directed major efforts in the areas of new business development, brand leadership and issues management. She most recently led the global strategy for McDonald's on the balanced lifestyles issue bringing over $500 million in new sales. This led to the introduction of new menu items globally, as well as building alliances with advocates in the U.S. government and leading scientists and experts around the world. Prior to this role, Shelley was responsible for new business invention and brand positioning reporting to the CEO of McDonald's. In addition to working for Fortune 50 brands for leading advertising agencies Leo Burnett; Young and Rubicam and Foote; and Cone and Belding, she has also managed accounts for blue chip companies. Her client experience ranges from emerging to established brands and companies, including: Frito-Lay, Pepsi-Cola, Taco Bell, McDonald's, and Chevron Oil. Her company, Airlift Ideas, specializes in creating brand vitality by assisting CEO's develop business-building ideas.
Ms. Rosen holds a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Michigan. She has attended Executive Development courses at Harvard University on Leadership and Management as well as Strategic Business Management, University of Chicago. She has been a Board Member and Trustee of Columbia College for four years.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
