ITHACA, N.Y. -- About 300 people who run the world's reigning hotels and restaurants will be guests at the world's largest teaching hotel this April 1-4. Many of them also got their first training at that hotel, the Statler, which is linked to Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.

For current Cornell Hotel School students, the 79th annual Hotel Ezra Cornell is the defining event of their undergraduate experience. In addition to showcasing their culinary and presentation skills, the extravaganza includes educational panels on pressing issues in the hospitality industry. It also offers students an opportunity to network with the executives while running both a hotel and a major conference themselves.

"Our students have spent nearly a year planning what is sure to be a most educational and entertaining weekend," said David W. Butler, dean of the Cornell Hotel School. "They see this as a wonderful opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge to industry leaders, and they approach the weekend with great enthusiasm and anticipation."

One hot topic, whether Internet providers of hotel room sales are good or bad news for the industry, is the subject of a panel that includes Bill Carroll, a visiting professor and industry consultant who co-authored a study on the subject that drew much media attention last year; and executives and directors of Internet strategies at Fairmount, IAC and Marriott hotels.

Other highlights are a panel on hotel brand and portfolio management that includes William Shaw, president and COO, Marriott International, Matthew Hart, executive vice president and CFO, Hilton Hotels, and top executives from Fairmont and Starwood hotels; "Foodservice of Epic Portions," the challenge of providing food for the 2004 Olympics, by top executives at ARAMARK; and a talk on the growth of spas, by the founder and owner of Golden Door Spa.

In addition, Cornell Hotel School faculty members and students will present their research on such subjects as the airline industry's recent challenges and other timely topics.

A Charity Casino Night will benefit the Windows of Hope organization, which supports the families of victims of the World Trade Center terrorist attacks who worked in the food, beverage and hospitality professions. Closing dinners on Saturday evening will be prepared by Chef Floyd Cardoz of famed Tabla restaurant in New York City and Chef Dale Miller of Jack's Oyster House in Albany, N.Y.

Hotel Ezra Cornell dates to 1925 when then Hotel School Dean Howard Meek traveled with Cornell students to New York City to manage the Hotel Astor for a day. Upon returning to campus, the students decided to hold a "hotel for a day" and invited industry pioneers to Ithaca to see Cornell's new hotel administration program. The first Hotel Ezra Cornell was held in May of 1926 at Risley Hall on Cornell's campus. Among the first guests was E.M. Statler, who saw the benefit of hospitality education and graciously donated the funds to construct the first Statler Hall and Statler Hotel. Every year since, Cornell Hotel School students have carried the tradition forward, with the event's emphasis changing with the times.

For more information on this year's event, visit http://www.hotelezracornell.com .