The Certified Hotel Broker program which is the real estate industry's only certification in hotel brokerage, was initiated in 1994. As the MAI and CCIM programs raised the level of professionalism and proficiency of appraisers and commercial realtors, the CHB designation serves to distinguish those hotel brokers who seek to further their professionalism through an advanced, specialized program.

The collaboration of HBI: Hotel Brokers International and Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration to produce educational components of the Certified Hotel Broker (CHB) program has profoundly impacted the  professionals in the hospitality, real estate, lending and appraisal industries.

The CHB program includes separate courses in hotel economies, investment analysis, sales strategy, marketing, information technology and hotel brokerage. The course work of the CHB program was originally created by HBI led by Gary Cadenhead, PH.D. professor of the Entrepreneurship program at the Graduate School of Business, The University of Texas at Austin. Under the collaboration with Cornell, Dr. Cadenhead consults with Cornell faculty on the program.

Two of the three modules composing the CHB program are taught in week-long sessions offered through Cornell's Professional Development program. To earn the CHB designation, candidates are required to complete these, as well as a third module and oral and written examinations administered by HBI.

"We of Cornell's school of Hotel Administration envision tremendous potential in offering Certified Hotel Broker course work through the Professional Development Program", said David W. Butler, Associate Dean of the School's Executive Programs. This adds a new dimension to our professional offerings; one that clearly impacts hotel management and ownership on a vital level.

About on-third of all members of HBI have achieved or begun work on the CHB designation.  Until recently, the CHB program has been only open to members of HBI; it is now open to qualified individuals outside of the organization. 

"As we have enhanced our professionalism through the education the courses provide, growing numbers of professionals in the hotel brokerage and hospitality fields have requested the opportunity to take the courses". The Professional Development Program of Cornell's Hotel School can provide the educational excellence, visibility and focus to best serve the growing number of those desiring to take these courses".