We’re already hard at work planning innovative sessions and sector-specific tracks for HR in Hospitality™ 2009. Our 2008 event was once again the premier conference for practitioners of HR management, employment law and labor relations in the hospitality industry, with more than 600 attendees and over 80 exhibiting companies — the largest event of its kind! And our 2009 event promises to be even better!

HR in Hospitality™ offers you access to the people and ideas that are shaping the industry’s future. Our sessions have been developed by the nation’s leading experts in human resources and hospitality, and they're delivered by top HR leaders, attorneys and Cornell University faculty — ensuring you get cutting-edge, practical advice you can put into action immediately. If it’s important in the industry, HR in Hospitality™ has it.

We featured 20 in-depth sessions across 4 tracks: Hotels, Labor Relations, Foodservice, and Restaurants — with the last two new for 2008!

Also new in 2008 – Hot Topics in HR Management and Employment Law for the Hospitality industry. Attendees got expert advice on their burning HR and legal questions in these unique roundtable discussions. Executives with some of the biggest names in the industry, including Starbucks, Loews, Harrah’s, Starwood, Cornell University, Travelport, and Sysco, also addressed specific questions in a “board meeting” environment on topics including:

     * HR Data That Drive Business Performance
     * FLSA Developments: Federal, State, and Local
     * Effective Staffing Strategies in the Hospitality Industry
     * Sexual Harassment and Retaliation
     * Workplace Privacy
     * Demonstrating the Value of HR

These sessions were specifically designed to maximize dialogue between faculty and attendees on the most important issues in the profession. Plus, each Hot Topic discussion session was held twice, giving attendees the flexibility to attend sector-specific sessions and the Hot Topics roundtables!

There is so much to learn at HR in Hospitality™. Here are just a few of the 2008 highlights:

• Demonstrating the Value of HR – We know that HR is a key driver of company performance. However, getting support for value-adding HR initiatives can be one of the most vexing challenges for HR professionals. The discussion examined how three companies – Travelport, ClubCorp, and Loews Corporation – have communicated value, implemented programs and delivered resuilts. Discussions focused on how to align HR and company strategies, obtain operational commitment, and demonstrate impact.

• FLSA Developments: Federal, State and Local – The number of employee-generated class-action lawsuits alleging Fair Labor Standards Act violations is exploding – and so are the settlement amounts. The Department of Labor is focusing on low-wage industries such as hotels and restaurants, and state and local governments are stepping up their enforcement efforts. This discussion session examined the latest case law and examined how to protect your company from the most common and most expensive compliance errors.

• Effective Staffing Strategies in the Hospitality Industry – Two veteran HR leaders who operate in dynamic, multi-property environments, and a leading expert in the field of staffing and talent assessment conducted a discussion of recruitment, selection and retention strategies that yielded a highly qualified talent pool. Attendees learned how emerging developments in technology, marketing and metrics can be used to manage the flow of human capital across organizational boundaries, including proactive strategies for dealing with situations where staffing levels exceed business need.

• General Session – HR in the Hospitality Industry: A President’s Perspective – Steven Porter, President-Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group – It’s easy to see that people are important elements of business success, especially in the hospitality industry. But what HR issues are most important to the "C-suite" leadership? And what do they expect from the HR Team? You’ll know what’s on their minds when you leave Mr. Porter's session … we guarantee it.

• Closing General Session from Arte Nathan, VP-Human Resources, Resort Division, at The Irvine Company. Arte is one of the true pioneers in the field. We were deluged with requests for more time and insights from this remarkable HR leader – and, the 2008 session included over 30 minutes of audience Q&A time.

• The Expo Hall was back – bigger and better! There were 2 exciting days of networking, research gathering, and the newest products from 75 leading vendors in the hospitality industry. It was a great opportunity to comparison shop. Plus, with refreshments, meal breaks and other events held in the Expo Hall, it was the hot spot for networking and developing new contacts.

"I attended the HR in Hospitality™ Conference in Las Vegas in March 2008. I was very pleasantly surprised at how applicable and informative the content was. I left the conference feeling very informed about what is "up and coming" in HR as well as how to handle many common HR issues in all areas of the hotel where I work. I would highly recommend this conference to anyone working in the HR field. I look forward to attending in 2009!"
-Jill Shroyer, HR/Payroll Manager, Homestead Resort, Midway, UT

"Excellent conference, from speakers to the location to the organizational setup to the content, a very well-rounded experience."
-Nikki Burmeister, Regional HR Director, ARAMARK Sports & Entertainment, Denver, CO

"HR in Hospitality™ 2008 was a spectacular conference offering the best in resources, talent, tips, and advice that I have ever experienced. The session's topics were well thought out, the schedules were timed perfectly, and the exceptional selection of guest speakers made the entire experience more than worthwhile to the HR Professional. I'm looking forward to attending the 2009 conference. One word that best describes the experience: Outstanding!"
-Danyel Bianchi-Matteson, Director of Human Resources, Chatham Bars Inn, Chatham, MA

“This was an excellent conference that was truly relevant to my day-to-day operational HR needs.”
-Daphne Haugh, HR Director, Resort at Squaw Creek, Olympic Valley, Calif.

“I am excited this conference exists now! It’s great to focus on important HR issues specific to our industry. Well done!”
-Diana Shukis, Partner, Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S., Seattle, Wash.

“Good variety of session topics — and I look forward to the conference maturing over the next few years. I appreciate an HR conference with a Hospitality focus and plan on attending again.”
-Sheri Line, Corporate Director of Human Resources, Rosewood Hotels and Resorts, Dallas, Texas

“It was great to finally attend an HR conference that meets the needs of hospitality HR professionals. I especially liked the balanced feedback from panels with both HR experts and top Union representatives. It showed that HR and Unions can work together for professional development and betterment of the HR hospitality industry.”
-Andrea Haffar, Assistant Director, Human Resources, Elbow Beach Hotel, Hamilton, Bermuda

“Thank you for an excellent conference! I look forward to attending again.”
-Matthew T. Wakefield, Partner, Ballard Rosenberg Golper & Savitt, LLP, Universal City, Calif.

“Highly efficient and professional conference that was well organized and run very smoothly.”
-Catherine Littlefield, SPHR, Regional Director of Human Resources, Red Lion Hotels Corporation, Redding, Calif.

“I’m already looking forward to next year’s program! The opportunity to meet new HR people from around the country was great.”
-Bob Hester, Aqua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Palm Springs, Calif.

“This was a wonderful educational experience. Having access to union leadership was especially valuable.”
-Kristina Pfeil, Director of Human Resources, Washington Athletic Club, Seattle, Wash.

“The conference was extremely well organized. From registration via phone…to the overall execution…everything was very well done. Maintenance of time lines was very much appreciated. The speakers were all very well prepared.”
-Andy Divine, Professor Emeritus, University of Denver, Denver, Colo

"I would highly recommend this conference. The speakers were excellent and I already plan to attend next year”.
-Robert Bookout, Director of Human Resources, Fort Sill Apache Casino, Lawton, Okla.

"The format was very accommodating to all levels of professionals attending. There was lots of variety and choice in the sessions.”
-Victoria Fabio, Director of Human Resources, SOHO House NY, New York, N.Y.