Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award
The Cornell Hospitality Innovator Award is a tribute to the extraordinary leaders who have developed new approaches to hospitality industry enterprises. The Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration presents the award at the annual Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards gala.
We are currently accepting nominations for an extraordinary innovator in the hospitality industry. Please fill out the nomination form to recommend an entrepreneurial or corporate innovator for the 2024 award.
Nominations for the 2024 Innovator Award are due by midnight on Sunday, October 22, 2023.
2023 Award Recipient
The Leland C. and Mary M. Pillsbury Institute for Hospitality Entrepreneurship (PIHE) and the Cornell Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration have selected Mia Kyricos, MMH ’03, chief love officer (CEO) of Kyricos & Associates, to receive the 2023 Cornell Hospitality Innovator of the Industry Award. Read the full press release.

Past Award Recipients















Bob Alter '73 (2008)
Chairman, Sunstone Hotel Investors
Gary Mendell '79 (2007)
Chairman and CEO, HEI Hotels and Resorts
Stephen Mendell '82 (2007)
Executive Vice President, HEI Hotels and Resorts
Jay H. Shah '90 (2007)
CEO Hersha, Hospitality Trust
Chuck Mund '51 (2006)
CEO, Mega Management
Bruce Reinstein '79 (2006)
Fresh City