The Hilton family, creators and former owners of Hilton Hotels and stewards of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, will be honored at a gala dinner June 7 as recipients of the School of Hotel Administration's 2011 Icon of the Industry Award. The award recognizes members of the Hilton family for their achievements as international leaders in the hospitality industry. It also honors the foundation for its philanthropic work.

"The Hilton family's extraordinary professional achievements and humanitarian efforts have benefited both the global hospitality industry and the world," said Michael Johnson, dean and professor of hotel administration. "Their worldwide success in developing Hilton Hotels into one of the world's most recognized brands, as well as their commitment to improving the lives of people throughout the world, has made an enormous impact on the global business and philanthropy."

The Hilton Foundation works to provide safe water, end chronic homelessness, prevent substance abuse, care for vulnerable children and support for the work of Catholic Sisters. Following selection by an independent international jury, the foundation also annually awards the $1.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to a nonprofit organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. From its inception through 2010, the foundation awarded nearly $940 million in grants, distributing more than $100 million in 2010.

The Cornell Icon & Innovator Awards Dinner began in 2009 and honored J.W. "Bill" Marriott Jr. The 2010 edition honored Charles "Chuck" Feeney.