DENVER, August 8, 2001 � The School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at the Daniels College of Business today announced the addition of a new faculty member and the creation of two new MBA specialization options to its nationally- and industry-recognized program. The MBA specialization options will allow graduate students to earn an MBA degree with a concentration in either Hospitality Property Development and Asset Management or Hospitality Information Technology and e-Business. Both specializations will be available to students in September 2001.

�These specializations are based on the Daniels MBA core curriculum and leverage the strengths of other Daniels departments, specifically the Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management and the Information Technology and e-Commerce department,� said Dr. Peter Rainsford, director - School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management. �The hospitality specializations will prepare students for senior management positions in multi-unit or corporate hospitality-focused organizations.�

Dr. Paul Beals, a new member of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management faculty, will direct the Hospitality Property Development and Asset Management specialization. Prior to joining the School, Dr. Beals was executive editor of The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Administration Quarterly and director of the Institut de Management Hôtelier International (IMHI), a joint venture between Cornell and the Ecole Supérieure des Sciences Economiques et Commerciales that produced the first MBA � level hotel management program in Europe. Dr. Beals also directed the Swiss Hospitality Institute, the first European-style school of hotel management in North America, and was founding director of the Statler Institute of Hospitality Management, an undergraduate program at Canisius College in New York. Dr. Beals� teaching experience includes the Centre International de Glion in Switzerland, IMHI, the Institut Hotelier César Ritz in Switzerland, and Boston University.  

�We�re very pleased to have Paul join our faculty,� Dr. Rainsford said. �Both students and our partners in the industry will benefit enormously from his expertise.�
The School�s second specialization, Hospitality Information Technology and e-Business, will ensure graduates have the expertise they need to leverage new and emerging information technologies.

�This program is particularly timely because of the increasing complexity and sophistication of the hospitality industry,� said Dr. Dan Connolly, primary architect of the new specialization.  �Owners are demanding greater returns for their properties while guests are demanding more value. Graduates of this program will have the knowledge to deliver on those expectations.�  

Industry experts, including executives from Destination Hotels and Resort, Hospitality Valuation Services, Hyatt, Marriott, Sage Hospitality Resources, and Vail Associates, were tapped for input during the development of both specializations. In addition, industry professional groups such as the Hospitality Asset Managers Association and Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals were asked to comment on and help refine the proposed curricula.

�We�ve been delighted with the response we�ve received from both industry leaders and current students,� said Dr. Rainsford.  �Faculty and industry partners pooled their talent to produce two programs that integrate the operational needs of the industry with strong academic discipline.�

The Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver was ranked by Forbes magazine as one of the top 25 regional business schools in the country in 2000. Daniels offers a broad array of programs that enhance students� ability to thrive in the 21st century. Daniels is located on the 125-acre University of Denver campus. The Daniels College�s $22 million headquarters has been hailed as one of the country�s most technologically advanced business school facilities.

About the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management at Daniels College of Business: The mission of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management is to be the leader in hospitality and tourism business education, developing outstanding leaders for the business of hospitality and tourism by delivering relevant educational experiences to students, alumni and industry partners.