Robert Sanders

Robert O. Sanders Jr. is the Founder and Chairman of Hospitality Resource Group, Inc. (HRG), a vertically integrated group of three companies: Event Solutions, Strategic Training Solutions and Allegis CommunicationsRobert has worked for prestigious, world renowned companies in the hospitality industry, as a management leader in sales, marketing, training and operations. Prior to founding HRG, Robert served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Abigail Kirsch Culinary Productions, the largest catering company in Westchester County, New York, where he managed an organization of fifty and led the development of numerous successful marketing campaigns, increasing business year after year.

Previously, Robert worked for Marriott Corporation, starting in their Hilton Head hotel in 1983. During his twelve year tenure at Marriott, he served as a sales executive, and 1993, was appointed to the position of Director of Catering Sales for the Marriott Marquis, the chain's flagship hotel in Manhattan.

Robert is extremely active in community affairs, serving as Special Events Advisor and Chairman of the Westchester County Chapter of the American Red Cross, as Board Member of the Westchester County Association, and as a Board Member and Student Teacher for Junior Achievement. In April of 1999, Robert received the honor of being the first recipient of the American Red Cross Samuel J. Friedman Humanitarian Award. He also works with Bridges to Community, and has developed and led humanitarian efforts for business executives to travel to Nicaragua to build homes for families in need.

In 2009, Robert was appointed to the Westchester/Putnam Workforce Investment Board, and assists in the development of regional workforce plans, working with area businesses to promote participation in industry sector training. He serves on the Westchester-Putnam Business Sector Partnership as chair of the Hospitality Sector, and works closely with employers, not for profits and county government in developing workforce strategy and policies to create and maintain employment in the Westchester-Putnam County area. Robert is president-elect of the Greater New York Metro chapter of MPI (Meeting Professionals International), the premier global association community for meeting and event professionals.