Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC), the Cornell Nolan School of Hotel Administration's annual hospitality conference, has announced its theme for the 99th Annual Hotel Ezra Cornell, taking place April 18-20, 2024. The theme is HEC 99: IGNITE. The inspiration for this theme lies in the joy that fuels our industry and drives human connections all over the world.

This year's conference aims to evoke the childish happiness inside of all of us through the service we provide and the experiences we create. The core of our industry is joy; if we are able to give our guests the memories that last a lifetime with the people they love, we are doing our jobs correctly. Hotelies often live by the motto "Life is service", but we believe this is an oversimplification of our values. Life is exciting. Life is an adventure. Life is defined by our best moments, which give us reasons to laugh, love, and be present in each stage of our journeys. HEC 99 Managing Director Tatiana Barelli '24 believes that "Experience defines true hospitality. By coming together and giving a little bit of service to others, we are able to spark connections and create meaningful moments. HEC 99 hopes to do just that by broadening the traditional lens of hospitality and showcasing the wonders this industry has to offer."

Hotel Ezra Cornell is a three-day student-run conference and a 99-year tradition of the Hotel School, making it one of the oldest organizations at Cornell University. Students organize speakers, networking events, food and beverages, and workshops with the goal of connecting hospitality professionals, students, and alumni at the leading hospitality program in the United States. Students learn about all aspects of hospitality, event planning, operations and more through hands-on experience.

This year, HEC is beyond proud to host Christine Hà, a beloved restaurant founder, New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author, and the winner of the third season of Master Chef. HEC 99 Programs Director Sebastian Matte '25 chose Christine after observing all the amazing accomplishments she has made in the hospitality industry. He stated, "HEC is based on dreaming, and extends as far as our commitment to execution and follow through. Christine is a prime example of this, as well as the endless possibilities within the hospitality industry. She has continuously exceeded any and all perceived limitations, and has demonstrated the intersection between creativity, actualization and service."

This event is organized by Cornell