Isadore “Issy” Sharp, founder and chairman of Four Seasons Hotels and rewards has been felicitated with the prestigious 2016 Cornell Icon of the Industry Award, adding to his repertoire of global awards and honours. Presented by the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, the award honours the lifetime achievements of hospitality and travel industry visionaries, recognising their professional and philanthropic contributions that have transformed the global hospitality industry and society. Isadore Sharp opened the first Four Seasons in 1961, a motor hotel in Toronto. He approached the business from a guest’s perspective, asking “what would they value?” Today, the company operates 99 hotels, resorts and branded residences in 41 countries, with more than 50 projects in the pipeline at various stages of development. “It’s no secret that from the very beginning it has been the people of Four Seasons who have played the most significant role in our success,” stated Isadore Sharp. “Receiving this recognition is a great personal honour and, equally as important, a chance for me to celebrate the collective efforts of many.” Sharp is also the founder of the annual Terry Fox Run, the largest single-day fundraising event for cancer research worldwide, which has raised more than CAD 700 million to date.
