Harris Rosen: A Hospitality Legend

WINTER SPRINGS, FLORIDA, USA — Dec 16, 2024

To call Harris Rosen a legend in hospitality is an understatement. His life’s work—building world-class hotels, supporting his associates and local communities, and establishing transformative initiatives like the Rosen School of Hospitality—defines a legacy that will be remembered for generations. One of my favorite aspects of his story is how he built the Rosen School of Hospitality into the number-one hospitality school in the country, surpassing Cornell, where he himself studied.

Harris Rosen’s legacy is one that touched countless lives, including that of Bryan Bruce, our founder. Below, Bryan shares a few personal experiences that highlight his character, passion, and the extraordinary impact he left behind.

I first met Harris Rosen when I applied to work for him. At the time, I was feeling stagnant in my role at Marriott and wanted to shake things up. I wanted more money and new challenges, so I interviewed with Harris. The meeting was held in a large boardroom at Rosen Shingle Creek, and he was incredibly generous with his time.

The interview was with Harris himself, alongside his lead sales and marketing director and a top salesperson. Early in the conversation, he asked me what I liked and disliked about his hotels. I told him I admired how hands-on he was with his properties, fostering a family-like culture. Then, in response to what I didn’t like, I mentioned the air conditioning units—PTAC units—on some of his older hotels. I thought they were hideous.

For the next 30 minutes, Harris passionately explained why those units were superior to any other hotel cooling system. His reasoning was so thorough and articulate that, by the end, I became a fan of PTAC units, despite their appearance.

Another memorable moment was when Harris reviewed my resume and called me a “hopper” because I had worked at multiple hotels, though many were under the same company. I respectfully defended my record, but I could sense I wasn’t going to get the job.

As the interview wrapped up, Harris walked me to the front drive. We talked about sports and swimming, and while I didn’t get the job, I left the interview with deep respect for him and the time he gave me.

Years later, I crossed paths with Harris again—this time as an entrepreneur and independent meeting planner. I had the opportunity to book 2,800 room nights for the Florida Bermuda Moose Lodge Association at one of his properties. At the signing ceremony breakfast, Harris himself showed up, much to my surprise. He sat next to me, and I reminded him of our earlier interview. We laughed about it, and I joked, “I’m working for you now, even though you never hired me.” It was a moment of mutual respect, and I’ll never forget his warmth and gratitude.

My final interaction with Harris was several years ago during my work with the Rosen JCC. At the time, I had very clear access to Mr. Rosen and pitched the idea of creating a documentary about his life. I wanted to follow him around for a few weeks and capture everything—his morning routine, his walks through his hotels, and his deep love for his people and his work.

While we never finished the documentary, we conducted many interviews and captured some incredible moments, including this clip we created. His passion for transforming healthcare through RosenCare was inspiring—he believed in giving his associates access to affordable, high-quality care and hoped to inspire others to follow his lead. Those pieces, though incomplete, are a treasure and will forever remind us of his dedication, generosity, and the legacy he built.

Harris Rosen was not just successful—he was profoundly giving. He recognized his good fortune and used it to change countless lives, from his associates to the community at large. His impact will continue to ripple far beyond his passing, and I feel fortunate to have known him, even in a small way.

Rest in peace, Harris Rosen. You were a true giant in hospitality and humanity.