Attending the Program
  • GMP participants are currently working or were recently employed as hotel general managers or their successors, overseeing full-service hotels. Eligible position titles may include general manager, hotel manager, managing director, assistant general manager, executive assistant manager, and director of operations.
  • Our application review process ensures that each GMP class is comprised of hospitality industry professionals of the highest caliber. Participants are individuals from around the world who are making a difference in the industry — from guiding their teams on the front lines to planning for the long-term prosperity of their businesses.
  • While many cultures enrich the GMP experience, courses are presented in English. We do not require a TOEFL score, but participants must have well-developed English-language communication and reading comprehension skills to participate in and benefit from the courses.
  • For more information, visit our GMP website.

Although there is no deadline, you should apply as soon as possible to reserve a space in the class, schedule and complete your two virtual live courses, make the necessary lodging and travel arrangements, and process your visa if needed.

The GMP on-campus capstones are held twice each year in January and in June. Please visit the program webpage for specific dates.

  • US$11,500
  • The fee includes all program materials and first-year dues for affiliate membership in the Cornell Hotel Society, an alumni organization with an international membership of more than 12,000. The five-day on-campus portion includes continental breakfasts, lunches, and two receptions/dinners.
  • Your payment for the live virtual sessions is only refundable if you cancel your participation at least 14 business days prior to the start of your first virtual session. Each live virtual session is equivalent to US$2,000 of the total program fee.
  • Your payment for the on-campus portion is fully refundable if you cancel your participation at least 45 days in advance of the first day of the on-campus session. If notice is received less than 45 days prior to the first day of the on-campus component, the cancellation charge is US$2,500. (The cancellation charge will not apply if you transfer your participation to the next available on-campus session or substitute a qualified participant to attend the next available on-campus session.) If you fail to send notice, or withdraw after the on-campus session begins, the full program fee is subject to forfeiture.
  • In the unlikely event that an on-campus session or a live virtual intensive must be canceled, all participants enrolled will be advised of alternative options (other live virtual intensives and/or future on-campus sessions). If alternate options are not acceptable to the participant, any unused fees paid shall be refunded to the payee and neither the participant nor the payee will be entitled to any additional compensation from Cornell University for any reason, including the purchase of nonrefundable airline tickets or other costs associated with transportation or accommodations. 
  • Major credit cards and PayPal
  • Wire transfers/ACH payments
  • Checks made payable to “Cornell University” in U.S. dollars.

Payment is expected upon notification that your application has been accepted. To discuss accepted methods of payment, please contact our enrollment team at execedprograms@cornell.edu. Payment for each component must be paid in full prior to the start date of that component (live virtual and/or on campus).

You are responsible for your travel to and from Ithaca, Statler Hotel accommodations, four evening meals, and incidentals (such as parking and laundry).

  • There are currently no Cornell scholarships available for GMP. You may wish to check with your local and regional hospitality/business associations to explore possible funding sources. Some organizations, such as the Caribbean Hotel Association, offer scholarship opportunities to their members. 
  • Alternatively, many companies will sponsor high-potential employees for the General Managers Program. Read advice on requesting sponsorship and download this flyer outlining the benefits.
Program Information

The welcome reception and orientation dinner is held the first evening of GMP.

  • 8:30 – 12:30: Class
  • 12:30 – 13:30: Buffet networking lunch
  • 13:30 – 17:00: Class
  • Evening: Individual or group assignment 
  • You are expected to attend all sessions. Certificates are presented only upon completion of all sessions, and you must be present to receive your advanced certificate. We reserve the right to withhold certificates from participants who do not attend all sessions.

Attendance during all class sessions is required, and you are awarded a certificate of completion that attests to your achievement at the end of the program. It is very important that you are present at the graduation ceremony on the final night to receive your certificate.

To prepare for classwork, there are assignments to be completed in advance for the live virtual courses and the on-campus component. These may be readings, analyses, or assessments that are essential to your full participation in the program. Approximately two weeks before each program component begins, you will have access to the participant platform, which will contain the assignments and other pertinent information.

We do not offer GMP class material for sale. It is available only to those who attend the program.

Audio recording or videotaping the in-person component is strictly prohibited. The virtual live courses will be recorded and made available to participants for a period of time following the end of each course.

Yes. After attending GMP, you qualify to be an affiliate member of the Cornell Hotel Society (CHS), an extensive alumni network of more than 12,000 School of Hotel Administration graduates. The first year’s dues are included in the program fee. CHS has a global reach of over 50 chapters on six continents, and affiliate members can participate in and take advantage of certain alumni resources and events. (Please note: GMP participants are not considered Cornell alumni, as this designation is reserved for graduates of a degree program.)

Travel and Lodging

GMP will be conducted at The Statler Hotel, where you will experience exceptional service and deluxe accommodations (AAA Four Diamond Award winner) while in the heart of Cornell’s beautiful campus. You will arrange and pay directly for your Statler Hotel accommodations.

The fee includes continental breakfasts and lunches during the in-person portion of the program at The Statler Hotel. In the evenings, when program events are not scheduled, you are free to dine where you wish (not included in the program fee). This will give you another opportunity to network with your peers and to experience more of our charming city. Ithaca has more restaurants per capita than New York City!

Guest rooms have complimentary high-speed internet access with both wired and wireless connections. Public areas use Cornell-Visitor (wireless, non-secure; requires daily registration). The hotel also offers several computer/printer stations.

  • You will need to determine the appropriate method of admission into the United States. Here are some general information websites for your reference:
  • The Visa Waiver Program enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or fewer without obtaining a visa.
  • If a visa is required, we can send you a B1 (Business Visitor) Visa Certification Letter that you can submit with an application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. It is used to support that you will be coming to the U.S. for a business purpose. You should confirm that the letter is sufficient with the embassy/consulate. It is important to state that you will be a professional attending a business conference held at Cornell. You will not be an admitted student or earn academic credit; therefore, it should not be appropriate to apply for a student visa. We cannot provide you with an I-20 form, as that document is issued only to students admitted for full-time university study.
  • Ithaca and Cornell University are served by the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. The university campus is about a ten-minute drive from the airport, serviced by various major airlines.
  • Our local airport is located four miles from the Cornell campus. (The Statler Hotel provides a free shuttle.)
  • See maps of the Cornell University campus and our brochure for more details.
  • If you cannot arrange a flight into Ithaca, you will find that the Syracuse Hancock International Airport in Syracuse, New York, offers more options. Ithaca is 60 miles/100 km from Syracuse. Ground transportation can be arranged through a local service, Big D’s Limousines, which offers several scheduled trips each day.  You must call to make a reservation at least 24 hours (and up to 30 days) in advance. You may also arrange transportation to Ithaca through an area taxi or Uber/Lyft service, or by driving a rental car.

If you are arriving at a New York City-area airport and need to get to one of the New York City stops listed below, you can take a taxi or public bus, subway, or train. With luggage, taking a taxi is more convenient, and likely quicker, but a higher cost than public transportation.. The following companies provide bus service between New York City and Ithaca (a 4.5-to-6-hour ride):

  • Cornell’s Campus-to-Campus Express (Phone: 1.607.254.8747)
    • We recommend Cornell’s executive bus, which offers direct express service (4.5 hours) with a convenient stop location on campus, comfortable seating, wireless Internet, power outlets, reading lights, and complimentary beverages. Advance reservations needed; we suggest you book early.
  • Greyhound (Phone: 1.607.272.7930 or 1.800.231.2222)
    • Ithaca stop: 131 East Green St.
    • New York City stop: Port Authority Bus Terminal
  • ShortLine (Phone: 1.607.277.8800 or 1.800.631.8405)
    • Ithaca stops: 131 East Green St. and Cornell Theater Arts Center
    • New York City stop: Port Authority Bus Terminal

Get driving directions to the Statler Hotel; the GPS address is 130 Statler Drive, Ithaca, New York. (Hotel parking is US$15/night plus tax, subject to change.) Rental cars from the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport are also available.

Participants must make their own travel arrangements; however, we would be pleased to provide general information and answer questions.

To promote a comfortable learning environment, attire for the General Managers Program is casual and informal, including the opening night event. Casual dress is also acceptable for dining in local restaurants. However, we request you wear social business attire for the final evening group photograph and graduation banquet. If you are more comfortable in attire that is customary or traditional in your country, you may certainly dress accordingly.

  • Although the temperature in the conference facilities is controlled, you may wish to bring a light jacket or sweater for your personal comfort. You should also bring outdoor clothing and footwear suitable for the season’s weather.
  • If you are traveling from outside of the United States, you may need to bring an adapter for any electrical devices you have (such as a computer or razor). The Statler Hotel uses 110-to-120-volt AC at 60 cycles. Adapters are very difficult to purchase in Ithaca, so please plan ahead.
  • You might also want to consider allowing room in your bag, or bringing an extra one, for items you will receive and/or buy while you are here. This is often less expensive than shipping costs.

For current information, go to www.weather.com and enter the U.S. ZIP Code 14853. For general information about Ithaca, go to www.visitithaca.com.

We discourage participants from bringing family members. The program is rigorous and time demands on participants are not limited to the daytime sessions. In addition, there are group assignments and networking events that occupy the evenings.