by Mark Hebert, Exhibit City News
In Memoriam: Harris Rosen
1939–2024
A Visionary in Hospitality and a Generous Philanthropist
The hospitality industry lost a giant with the passing of Harris Rosen, founder, president, and COO of Rosen Hotels & Resorts, on November 25, 2024, at the age of 85. Surrounded by family and loved ones, Mr. Rosen succumbed to complications from surgery, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, generosity, and determination that has deeply shaped Central Florida and beyond.
Honoring His Life
The family of Harris Rosen has announced that a private Celebration of Life will be held in his honor, and they have requested privacy during this difficult time.
Born on September 9, 1939, in Manhattan, New York, to Jack and Lee Rosen, Harris Rosen pursued a degree in Hotel Administration from Cornell University, graduating in 1961. After serving as a first lieutenant in the United States Army, he began his career in hospitality as a file clerk at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. Over the years, he held positions with Hilton Hotels and the New Yorker Hotel before relocating to Orlando in 1968 to join the Walt Disney Company. As Disney World’s director of hotel planning, Rosen played a key role in developing the Polynesian Village Hotel and the Contemporary Resort.
In 1974, Rosen took a leap of faith, using his last $20,000 to purchase a small Quality Inn on International Drive. Through hard work, relentless determination, and an unwavering belief in himself, he transformed that single property into Rosen Hotels & Resorts, the largest independent hotel company in Florida. Today, the company operates eight award-winning properties, including the iconic Rosen Centre Hotel near the Orange County Convention Center, with more than 4,500 associates serving guests from around the world.
A Champion of Philanthropy
Harris Rosen’s passion for giving back is as monumental as his business achievements. He is best known for his transformative efforts in the Tangelo Park Program, which he launched in 1993. This initiative provides free preschool for children in the underserved Tangelo Park neighborhood and full scholarships for high school graduates attending public universities or vocational schools in Florida. The program has since inspired similar efforts in Orlando’s Parramore district, changing countless lives and bringing hope to entire communities.
Rosen’s philanthropy extended to healthcare, where he disrupted the industry with RosenCare, an innovative healthcare program for his employees. This award-winning self-insurance model provides affordable, comprehensive coverage and includes access to the Rosen Medical Center.
He was also a major benefactor to education and scientific research. His $18 million donation helped establish the UCF Rosen College of Hospitality Management, now one of the top-ranked hospitality programs globally. In memory of his late son, Adam, Rosen founded the Adam Michael Rosen Neuro-Oncology Laboratory at the University of Florida, advancing research in brain cancer treatment.
Rosen’s charitable work reached as far as Haiti, where he provided medical supplies and water filtration systems to those in need, and closer to home, where he supported the Jewish community with significant contributions, including the establishment of the Jack and Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center.
Remembering a Visionary
Harris Rosen’s influence on the hospitality industry, his community, and the lives of thousands of people is immeasurable. He received numerous accolades throughout his life, including being named Orlando’s most influential tourism leader by Orlando Magazine and receiving the James B. Greene award, the Orlando Economic Partnership’s highest honor.
Above all, Rosen was a devoted father and a steadfast advocate for equality, education, and wellness. He is survived by his children Jack, Joshua, and Shayna. His youngest son, Adam, predeceased him in 2018.
Harris Rosen’s unwavering belief in the power of giving, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his profound impact on his community ensure that his memory will remain a blessing for generations to come.
