Hilton and the Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship are partnering at Cornell to bring you the 2025 Hospitality Hackathon
The guest experience is at the core of the hospitality industry. Technology can be a tool used to enhance exceptional experiences. This year's event will dive into the guest's digital experience and how these tools can be used to drive engagement and satisfaction. \;
**Previous hacking experience is not required. Don't have a team? No problem! During registration you can indicate that you are looking for a team and seek out others that are as well.
The Cornell Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition is an experiential learning opportunity for student entrepreneurs who are contemplating\, starting\, or operating an early-stage hospitality-based venture\, and who are looking to improve their pitching skills\, with the potential to earn seed funding for their venture. \;
The Cornell Hospitality Business Plan Competition is an annual entrepreneurship event that begins at the start of the academic year when students form teams and deliver 5-minute pitches for their hospitality business concepts. The competition ends in early spring during Hotel Ezra Cornell (HEC)\, when the student teams submit their final business plans and semi-finalist teams present to a judging panel that selects the top three concepts as winners.
PIHE's collaborative workspace is your home for innovation\, connection\, and entrepreneurship in hospitality. Whether you're building a new venture or just curious about the startup world\, our space brings together entrepreneurial-minded students and industry leaders visiting Cornell throughout the year.
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✨ Explore Our Signature Offerings:
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☕ Registration is not required\, and light refreshments will be served.
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📩 Questions? Contact PIHE Assistant Director Michelle Mahool at MLC296@cornell.edu.
Join us for a fireside chat with hospitality industry alums Jen Collins and Kim Hehir! \;
Before launching their mission-driven companies\, Jen and Kim built successful careers in hospitality investment and strategy. Today\, both are advocates of community impact\, embedding social responsibility at the core of their business models—Procure Impact through inclusive employment opportunities\, and Brutus Bone Broth\, Inc. through community giving and sustainable practices. Now\, they each lead nationally recognized\, award-winning enterprises that prove business can be a force for good.
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During this Fireside Chat\, you will hear how their backgrounds in hospitality and investment shaped their entrepreneurial approaches\, how values and purpose contribute to building scalable and profitable businesses\, and how the next generation of leaders can align their careers with impact.
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Don't miss this opportunity to connect\, learn\, and get inspired!
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Light refreshments will be provided.
Grab a cup of coffee and join Hotel School alumni Kevin Leichter and Kim Hehir for an inside look at the realities of building and leading family businesses.
Kim Hehir founded her business\, Brutus Broth to create an entirely new product in the very crowded pet food space. \;
Kevin took over his family business\, Premier Paint Roller\, and helped to create a globally recognized brand. Both have built successful careers while navigating the complexities of working with family.
During this Coffee Chat\, we will explore the intersection of family\, business and ownership\, and how Kim and Kevin approach everything from working with siblings\, growing and scaling\, to dealing with international tariffs and distribution channels.
Expect an open conversation\, practical takeaways\, and the chance to ask your own questions in an informal setting.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Hosted by the Pillsbury Institute in collaboration with the Smith Family Business Initiative.
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Kim Hehir '94\, Co-Founder &\; President\,Brutus Broth \;
Jen Collins '99\, Co-Founder &\; President\,Procure Impact
Jen Collins '99\, Co-Founder &\; President\,Procure Impact
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Do you have a hospitality business idea or early-stage startup? This is your chance to compete for up to $25\,000 in prize money through the 2026 Hospitality Business Plan Competition!
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Join us on October 7th for the virtual Information Session to learn more about how you can participate\, the competition process\, and key resources available to help you succeed.
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Join our expert panel to discover how to navigate the future of hospitality strategically\, leveraging technology to create a more efficient and personalized experience while preserving the industry's essential human touch. \;
Speakers include:
• Christina McDowell\, PhD\, SC Johnson College of Business
• Krishna Sasank Talasila '14\, Co-Founder &\; CIO\, Stayflexi
• Ashwin Kamlani\, MMH '03\, Founder &\; CEO\, Hyperfunnel
• Ira Vouk\, Hospitality Consultant &\; Author\, Hospitality 2.0 Consulting \;
What you'll learn: \;
• Which customer segments are most receptive to AI and which prefer human interaction
• How AI is enhancing jobs that require creativity and guest relations and where it may replace routine\, transactional tasks
• Strategic approaches to adopting AI that maintain the essential human element
• New career paths and upskilling opportunities for the hospitality workforce
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Grace Van Hollebeke '19\, Head of Marketing &\; Services\,Tern
Mentors and mentees in the Hotel Student Mentorship Program (HSMP) are invited to join guest speaker Taneka Coates for an engaging discussion about her industry experience with Marriott International and her expertise in revenue management. Taneka will share insights from her career journey and offer advice for students interested in pursuing similar paths.
Coffee Chat with Grace Van Hollebeke '19 and Tom Botts\, P'26
Innovation at the Intersection of Travel\, Technology\, and Hospitality
November 5 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. | 189 Statler Hall
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Join us for a coffee chat exploring the future of travel\, technology\, and hospitality with entrepreneurs Grace Van Hollebeke and Tom Botts! Grace and Tom will discuss how technology is reshaping the travel and hospitality landscape—from revolutionizing payments and distribution\, to staffing\, streamlining operations\, and reimaging the guest experience. This conversation will offer valuable perspectives on the opportunities and challenges at the intersection of travel\, technology and hospitality experiences. \; \;
Light refreshments will be provided.
Tom Botts\, P'26\, President\,Upgrade
Tom Botts\, P'26\, President\,Upgrade
Register for the Pitch Fundamentals Workshop (Optional)
November 10 at 6:00 p.m. (via Zoom)
Open to all who are interested in learning how to craft a strong pitch.
You must register in advance to receive the Zoom link.
REGISTER FOR THE WORKSHOP
Tom Botts\, P'26\, President\,Upgrade
Steve Chasen '91\, Founder &\; Managing Partner\,Deep Channel Partners\, LLC
Join Mosaic Hospitality Association in collaboration with the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship for a roundtable discussion with Dan Leyva\, Founder of Taco Azul and Forbes 30 Under 30 Food &\; Drink Honoree\, as he shares his journey as a hospitality entrepreneur and investor. From leading the growth of brands like Wings Over\, 7th Street Burger\, and Tacombi to launching innovative ventures such as the Smileable Eating Club\, Mr. Leyva brings a decade of experience shaping the future of food and hospitality. This conversation will explore entrepreneurship\, leadership\, and redefining community in the modern hospitality landscape.
Space is limited. Refreshments provided.
Join Ellen Yui\, Founding Principal of YUI+Company\, for an informal\, student-centered table discussion exploring how to integrate joy\, authenticity\, and impact into your path as an entrepreneur and leader.
We'll focus on:
Bring your questions\, share your ideas\, and leave inspired to communicate your story and your business with clarity and purpose.
Space is limited. Refreshments will be provided.
Ellen Yui\, P'14 &\; P'16\, Founding Principal\,YUI+Company
Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition \;
November 18\, 2025\, 5 - 7 PM
The Cornell Hospitality Pitch Deck Competition is an experiential learning opportunity for student entrepreneurs who are contemplating\, starting\, or operating an early-stage hospitality-based venture\, and who are looking to improve their pitching skills\, with the potential to earn seed funding for their venture. \;
Come join us to watch the finalists present on November 18th to a panel of industry judges. Prizes awarded are winning team\, $3\,000\, second place team\, $1\,500\, and third place\, $500.
Join Adam Falcheck\, Vice President at DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners (DLJ RECP) for an interactive\, case-based workshop exploring how investors evaluate new hospitality and real estate ventures. Students will be introduced to the firm's evolution and business platform\, then work through four opportunities currently under consideration using an External–Internal Opportunity &\; Hurdle framework.
Participants will:
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Ideal for students interested in hospitality investment\, development\, private equity\, entrepreneurship\, strategic decision-making\, real-estate\, public policy\, and urban planning.
No prior experience required — curiosity encouraged.
Seats are limited due to the interactive format. Registration is required to participate.
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REGISTER HERE
(Due to limited spots\, please do not sign up unless you are able to commit to participating.)
By Invitation Only
Dan Leyva '14\, Founder &\; CEO\,Taco Azul
· Entrepreneurship
· Development
· Concept development
· Branding
· Startups
· Restaurants
March 4-5\, 2026
This roundtable brings together women leaders across the hospitality industry to explore how an entrepreneurial mindset drives innovation\, leadership\, and organizational impact—whether you are a founder\, operations leader\, or corporate executive. Participants will share experiences\, exchange strategies\, and gain actionable insights for career growth and organizational success. This roundtable is for women across all areas of hospitality: operations\, corporate strategy\, marketing\, entrepreneurship\, and more.
What You Will Gain:
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Please email Michelle at mlc296@cornell.edu with any questions.
Mark Maynard '90\, Consultant\, Executive Coach\,Maynard Consulting
· Leadership development
· Guest experience
· Restaurant operations
· Financial performance
· Company culture
Exclusive invite for MMH Students
REGISTER HERE – no later than 1/30/26
Come meet restaurant operations consultant Mark Maynard and hear about his path into consulting\, along with key themes from his current work. Mark will share how his experience as a leader within the Union Square Hospitality Group inspired him to strike out on his own\, taking on a wide range of operations consulting and coaching engagements. Professor Vince Slaugh will facilitate this informal conversation with Nolan School MMH students. \;
Join us for a conversation with two hospitality leaders whose careers began on the front lines and evolved into shaping strategy\, teams\, and impact. Brandon started in operations and quickly moved into building technology solutions that help businesses improve service and scale effectively. Mark began by developing and leading hospitality teams\, then expanded into coaching and consulting to help organizations grow sustainably while putting people first.
Together\, they will discuss how identifying problems\, understanding people\, and taking ownership of improvement are skills that translate directly into entrepreneurship. Students will learn how service experience can build an entrepreneurial mindset\, whether they aim to start a business\, innovate within a team\, or lead with impact.
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Students will learn how to:
Elaine Chon-Baker\, Founder &\; Managing Partner\,Mokja Ventures
· Funding and Fundraising
· Startup Scaling and Founder Coaching
· Tech and AI in Food and Hospitality
· Nonprofit Operations and Strategy
Steve Chasen '91\, Founder &\; Managing Partner\,Deep Channel Partners
· Strategic Planning
· Cross-functional Team Leadership
· Sales
Join us for an intimate conversation with Elaine Chon-Baker\, founder and investor in restaurants and hospitality tech\, and Steve Chasen\, beverage industry veteran and brand strategist. They'll share how hospitality ventures grow from idea to market\, navigate pivots and partnerships\, and use strategy and creativity to succeed in a rapidly changing industry.
What Students Will Learn:
Cone Health and the Cornell Institute for Healthy Futures\, with support from the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship\, are partnering to bring you the 2026 Health for the Future Design Challenge. \;
How can we create a future ready place focused on health and wellness for a struggling community that has a 15-year gap in life expectancy compared to their neighbors? \; This design challenge will dive into the health equity issues of the neighborhood region of Pyramids Village in Greensboro\, North Carolina where Cone Health has purchased roughly 31 acres to create a health and wellness destination. Through this challenge\, teams will address the following: \;
\;The $10.75 million transaction is part of Cone Health's pledge to invest $150 million to improve health and increase life expectancy in under-served areas. Residents in nearby communities have more cases of high blood pressure\, stroke\, diabetes\, and other treatable or preventable ailments to the point that it reduces how long they live. Last year\, Cone Health stated its goal of "reducing a 15-year gap in life expectancy by five years over five years" through its CATCH 5 in 5 efforts. \;
Student teams will participate in workshops and presentations leading up to a weekend charrette March 13 – 15\, 2026 to ideate and bring to life the project! Prizes will be awarded for the top presentations. \; \;
**Previous design challenge experience is not required. Don't have a team? No problem! During registration you can indicate that you are looking for a team and seek out others that are as well. \;
Felix Litvinsky\, P '23\, Managing Director\,LaunchPad Ezra
By invitation only
The roundtable will feature interactive conversations on topics including:
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Students and faculty interested in observing\, register here.
By Invitation Only
Jason Spillerman '92 (CALS)\, P '25\, Co-Founder &\; Principal\,Vibrant Development Group
· Food and beverages
· Real estate development
· Hotel programming
· Restaurant design and development
· Restaurant finance
Jen Collins '99\, Co-Founder &\; President\,Procure Impact
· Social Impact
· Finance &\; Asset Management
· Values-Based Leadership &\; Culture
· Partnerships &\; Growth
· Innovation &\; Entrepreneurship
Open to ALL students interested in family business\, ownership\, and succession
Join Leland Pillsbury\, Chairman of TLG Investment Partners and Co-Founder and Partner of Thayer Ventures Investment Partners\, for an intimate\, discussion-based conversation on family wealth beyond financial capital. Drawing from decades of experience building companies\, leading acquisitions\, and advising multi-generational families\, Mr. Pillsbury will explore how families define shared values\, manage conflict\, and balance responsibility and privilege across generations. \;
As the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship marks its 20th anniversary\, this forward-looking conversation will explore the evolving landscape of hospitality innovation and enterprise. The focus is not on past achievements but on emerging opportunities\, critical shifts\, and the strategies that will define success in the next decade.
Join Christina McDowell\, Director of the Pillsbury Institute\, and hospitality executive turned venture capitalist Leland C. Pillsbury '69 as they discuss breakthrough technologies\, innovative business models\, and the leadership capabilities needed for tomorrow's industry pioneers. Their conversation will illuminate how entrepreneurs can build lasting impact while navigating an increasingly complex and dynamic marketplace.
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Speakers:
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What you'll learn:
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Have questions about Pillsbury Institute programs and events? Reach out to us!
Fireside Chat with Ellen Yui: When Service Matters
Thursday\, March 19 | 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Silver Birch\, 5thFloor Statler Hall
Moderated by the Nolan Inclusivity Community Engagement (N.I.C.E) Committee
Service is more than hospitality. It signifies a mindset that impacts how you lead\, learn\, and show up in every space. Join Ellen Yui for a powerful conversation on how adopting the core value of the Nolan School of Hotel Administration prepares you for success in finance\, asset management\, real estate\, entrepreneurship\, and beyond\, because service is the foundation of global leadership.
FREE Student Tickets Available for Entrepreneurship at Cornell Celebration Ezra
April 9-11 | Statler Hotel
Limited tickets available
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Students who have participated in Pillsbury Institute events may qualify for a complimentary conference ticket. \;
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Visit us in STL 189 or email Michelle Mahool to request your exclusive registration code.
AI and the Future of Hospitality and Travel Distribution
Join us at this year's Celebration Ezra\, a two-day entrepreneurship conference\, as we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship.
This forward-looking panel explores how artificial intelligence is transforming hospitality and travel distribution—from personalization and pricing to booking channels and guest experience.
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Featured Speakers:
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Moderator:
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Don't miss this opportunity to hear from industry leaders shaping the future of travel and hospitality through AI innovation.
Pillsbury Institute's 20th Anniversary Panel \;
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As the Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship celebrates its 20th anniversary\, alumni entrepreneurs return to share how the details that matter most—people\, defining moments\, and brand—have shaped their journeys and ventures. Inspired by this year's Hotel Ezra Cornell theme\, "All in the Details\," and reflecting the Institute's pillars of engagement\, experience\, and education\, this conversation highlights the role of mentorship\, experiential learning\, and alumni connection in building the next generation of hospitality entrepreneurs.
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Panelists:
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Moderator:
Christy McDowell\, Ph.D.\, Director and Senior Lecturer\, Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship\, Cornell SC Johnson College of Business
Cornell Hospitality Business Plan Competition
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The Hospitality Business Plan Competition offers a premier experiential learning opportunity for emerging entrepreneurs ready to make their mark on the industry. Beginning in the fall\, student teams develop innovative concepts that culminate in final business plans and live presentations each spring. More than $35\,000 in prizes will be awarded to the top five teams.
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Join us during HEC for this exciting showcase of innovation and entrepreneurship! This event is open to all—no HEC registration required.
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New this year: In addition to our five finalist teams competing for top honors\, we are proud to feature five Spotlight Teams\, each delivering a fast-paced\, 60-second pitch to share their ideas with the audience. All ten teams will also be eligible for a new Audience Choice Award\, giving attendees the opportunity to support their favorite concept.
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Finalist Teams:
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Spotlight Teams:
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Come be part of the energy\, support student entrepreneurs\, and discover the future of hospitality.
Meet &\; Repeat Speed Networking Event Details
Wednesday\, April 22
4:30 PM – 5:30 PM | 391 Statler Hall
Attention Students! How can you maximize networking opportunities for your entrepreneurial journey in 5\,400 seconds? Join us for a Meet &\; Repeat and find out!
At a Meet &\; Repeat\, students practice their pitching skills by presenting an elevator pitch about themselves or a business idea while growing their networks. Participants will also have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and entrepreneurs from across the globe.
Don't miss this great opportunity to grow your network and engage with innovative professionals shaping the future of the industry.
Participant list is coming soon!
Seats are limited\, and an RSVP is required.
Dress code is business casual. \;
After the networking event\, students are invited to join the industry professionals at the Networking Reception in the Park Atrium from 5:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
Have questions about this event? Reach out to us!
Meli James '00\, Co-Founder\,Mana Up
Meli James '00\, Co-Founder\,Mana Up
Mike Greene '13\, CEO &\; President\,Skylark
Building Desire: Creating Premium Consumer Experiences Through Marketplaces\, Brand\, and Technology
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Join us for an intimate coffee chat with Mike Greene '13 (CEO\, Skylark) and Meli James '00 (Co-Founder\, Mana Up\; President\, Hawaii Venture Capital Association) as they share how they've built and scaled high-impact\, consumer-focused businesses across hospitality\, tech\, and CPG.
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Takeaways:
· Marketplace startups vs. brand-building—what works and when
· How to create "premium" experiences that customers will pay for \;
· How to build brands that reflect place\, culture\, and community—not just product \;
· How to scale and grow quickly without losing what makes your brand meaningful \;
· Real lessons from founders and investors in the trenches \;
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Whether you're interested in startups\, hospitality\, venture capital\, or building your own brand\, this is your chance to learn directly from two industry leaders—and ask your questions in a casual setting.
End of Semester Student Celebration
By invitation only
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As the academic year comes to a close\, we would like to extend a warm invitation to join us for a special End-of-Year Celebration!
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This gathering is our way of saying thank you for your participation\, enthusiasm\, and engagement in PIHE events and programs throughout the year. Your involvement has helped make our community vibrant and meaningful.
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Come enjoy an afternoon of connection\, celebration\, and\, of course\, ice cream! \;
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Please be sure to register in advance so we can order enough ice cream for everyone. \;
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Feel free to bring a friend and let us know if you have any questions.
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We look forward to celebrating with you!
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