Cornell Hotel Society
Annual EMEA Regional Meeting
Roma – Italia
7-10 April 2022
Accommodations
Built in 1865 (the same year Cornell University was founded), the Hotel Quirinale was Rome’s first modern hotel, with large banquet facilities, a central courtyard, and a central location along via Nazionale, one of the city’s main arteries connecting Termini Station with the historic center.
Walking through it’s wooden revolving door is like stepping into a time capsule, and entering a place where international travelers have begun their Roman holiday for more than 150 years.
Those CHS members who attended the last Rome meeting in 1982 will remember this hotel as the same host.
Block Full
At this time the Room Block at the Hotel Quirinale is full.
Other recommended hotels located nearby include:
- St. Regis Rome
- Westin Excelsior
- Palazzo Naiadi
- NH Palazzo Cinqucento
- W Rome
- Palazzo Montemartini (Radisson)
- UNAHotels Decò Roma
- DoubleTree by Hilton Roma
Just a few minutes walking from Piazza della Repubblica, Leon’s Place, a member of the Italian luxury hotel collection, Planetaria Hotels, is a design hotel with lots of character. The hotel’s public spaces and guestrooms are all carefully appointed with fine Italian marbles and pop furniture. Tucked away behind the main lobby is a circular portal that opens onto a private outdoor space, called the Green Hole. It’s the perfect place for an afternoon aperitivo or coffee break.
Conference Rates
- Use the code CORNELL to receive 20% off the best rate!
Welcome Cocktail Reception
6pm – 8pm | Il Palazzetto
Raise a glass and “cin cin” to kick off the weekend! Roberto Wirth ’75 has generously offered to host us at his iconic rooftop terrace overlooking the Spanish Steps.
Dinner at Leisure*
from 8pm
Looking for some restaurant suggestions for dinner?
Armando al Pantheon | Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31 (Pantheon) | Website
A local favorite, serving Roman pastas and dishes in the shade of the Pantheon since 1961.
Osteria La Gensola | Piazza della Gensola, 15 (Trastevere) | Website
A favorite among Romans with a particular attention to fresh, local fish.
Piatto Romano | via Giovanni Battista Bodoni, 62 (Testaccio) | Website
When in Rome it’s customary to eat the quinto-quarto, a term for the parts of an animal typically thrown away. Here you can find traditional home-style Roman dishes.
Osteria La Quercia | Piazza della Qercia, 23 (Campo de’ Fiori) | Website
A ‘neo-trattoria- serving slightly revisited Roman dishes in a modern dining room.
Trattoria Morgana | via Mecenate, 21 (Colosseum) | Website
A small, no-frills trattoria serving very authentic Roman dishes at local prices. Anthony Bourdain filmed here while visiting Roman restaurants for ‘Parts Unknown’.
*Not included in the program fee.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast in the hotel
Hospitality Summit
Location: Hotel Quirinale, Sala Verdi
Welcome Coffee | 9 – 9.30
Opening: “Vision. Hospitality. Leadership”
9.30 – 9.40 | Jonathon Dominic Spada, RVP Europe
Italian Market Snapshot
9.40 – 10 | Giorgio Bianchi, PKF hospitality group
Operations Panel: “Hospitality & Lifestyle: The Future is Full-Touch”
10 – 10.30 | Moderator: Harry Mills Sciò, Board Member at Pellicano Hotels & Founder of Fortvny Hospitality Consulting
- Michael Cortelletti, Owner of Relais Balcone di Giulietta
- Giorgia Tozzi, GM of SOHO House Rome
- John Voigtmann, Owner & GM of La Bandita Countryhouse and Townhouse
Presentation: “Lessons Learned, Lessons to Follow: Family Business in Italy”
10.30 – 11 | Current MBA students participating in an academic trek through Italy, organized by the Smith Family Business Institute at Cornell University, will share their findings and observations.
Networking & Coffee Break | 11 – 11.30
Presentation: “The Great Resignation: Where are the leaders in these challenging times?”
11.30 – 12.10 | Michael Russel Nowlis, Program Director for Sustainability Leadership Programs at the
University of Cambridge
Presentation: “Natural Yeast, Natural Growth, Natural Partnership”
12.10 – 12.30 | Michael Cortelletti, Owner, Food Democracy & Founder, Impero Pizza and Natura
Development Panel: “All Roads Lead to Rome 2025”
12.30 – 13 | Moderator: Christian Walter, Global CEO at PKF hospitality group
- Paul Pisani, Chief Development Officer at Corinthia Hotels
- Claudio Ceccherelli, CEO of Shedir Hotel Collection
- MariaPia Intini, Director of Development and Investment at CitizenM Hotels
Power Lunch
1pm – 2pm | Ristorante Rossini, Hotel Quirinale
Refuel and network after an insightful Hospitality Symposium.
Workshops
Session 1: 2 – 3pm
Session 2: 3.15 – 4.15pm
Hotel Quirinale, Sala Verdi – Giardino – Sala Mascagni
Mani in Pasta: Get Your Hands Dirty the Italian Way
Session 1 & 2 | Giardino
From ancient grains to the secret-behind-the-starter, learn what it takes to make an authentic Italian pizza. The master pizzaiolo will explain the cultural significance of pizza as he introduces you to the materie prima (ingredients), and takes you through the steps of mixing and shaping. He’ll explain he chemistry of fermentation as your hands experience the texture of a living dough. By the end of the workshop, you’ll be knowledgeable on the key aspects of making the perfect pie.
Beyond the Forecast: Discriminating Data to Sharpen Focus
Session 1 | Sala Verdi
Enter a conversation between Total Revenue Management with Gianni Di Fede, SVP Revenue Management, BI and Distribution at Radisson Hotel Group, and Web Revenue Management with Piergiorgio Schirru, VP and COO at Blastness.
BMS, RMS, and IMS: How Blastness uses Big Data & AI to Boost Direct Bookings
Session 2 | Sala Verdi
Join the discussion between Piergiorgio Schirru, VP & COO at Blastness and Matteo Pagni, Web Advertising Manager, on how advanced booking technologies are disrupting the revenue management game.
Appreciating Italian Wine
Session 1 & 2 | Ristorante Rossini
Taste your way through Italy’s vineyards with Lindsay Gabbard, sommelier at Rimessa Roscioli, for a masterclass in the peninsula’s most inebriating craft.
Industry Dinner
6pm | Stadio Domiziano – Domitian’s Stadium
One of the most unique dinners you’ll ever experience: hidden below Piazza Navona, among the ruins of Stadio Domiziano, one of ancient Rome’s largest, central chariot racing tracks.
The dinner will be catered by local restaurant + micro-bakery, Marigold with all natural wines by VinoRoma. The menu will feature local, seasonal vegetables and organic meat from a sustainable farm in Tuscany. The dinner will be served family style to promote community and engagement.
The industry dinner invites local industry leaders, key players and stakeholders to dine with us and exchange perspectives of the industry in Rome, Italy and beyond.
Wake up and enjoy breakfast in your hotel
CHS Members Meeting
9am – 10.30am | Hotel Quirinale
Dean Kate Walsh and Lauren Wilcox, Assistant Dean for Development will lead Hotel School updates.
CHS EMEA Regional Vice Presidents Jonathon Dominic Spada and Tarek Daouk will lead regional updates.
Group Photo
10.45am | Hotel Quirinale
Experience Rome: Various Tours & Activities
from 11am
Whether this is your first time to the Eternal City or not, there is always a new way Rome can surprise you.
We are arranging various small-group tours and activities to experience Rome however you like! Our official lineup of experiences will be announced shortly. You’ll be able to sign up for your preferred experience during the Industry Dinner on Friday evening.
Gala Dinner + Scholarship Auction
7pm | Salone Ritz, St. Regis Rome
Hosted in Rome’s first public ballroom, opened in 1894 by legendary hotelier Cesar Ritz himself, the Salone Ritz in the St. Regis Rome has hosted heads of state, royalty, and international glitterati for more than a century.
Join us for the capstone event of the weekend, the Gala Dinner. It’s a formal affair that ignites the spirit of Hotelies.
Organizing Committee
Jonathon Dominic Spada BS ’10
President, CHS AA&EE Chapter
Roberto Wirth BS ’75
Honorary President, CHS AA&EE Chapter
Palmiro Noschese GMP ’19
Director of Sponsorships
Sarah Livingston BS ’10
Registration + Hospitality
Elena Benedetti PDP ’15
Hotel Quirinale