Deb Elless is TIAC's Tourism Employee of the Year; PEI gets its first Les Clefs d'Or concierge; Gupta siblings launch angel investment firm to aid innovative startups.
Deb Elless, a senior reservations agent at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for 22 years, was awarded Tourism Employee of the Year at the 2017 Canadian Tourism Awards presented by the Travel Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in Gatineau, Quebec on Nov. 28.
“This speaks to the service excellence that Deb consistently provides to our guests and fellow colleagues every day she comes to work and we are thrilled that she has been recognized as the best in Canada,” said Michael Pye, general manager of Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.
In addition to her position in the reservations department, Elless is committee chair for Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s annual United Way Campaign, vice president for the local union that represents hotel employees, and mentor to the reservations team where she has connected with hundreds of thousands of guests over her tenure.
“Her efforts have been acknowledged in the many glowing notes of appreciation we receive from across the country and around the world. In her role, she is often the first point of contact for guests, but is quick to slip on another hat and becomes a tourism ambassador to share her passion and knowledge of Vancouver, insider secrets, and “must-do’s”, says, Pye. “Deb takes great delight in making every guest feel special and doesn’t miss an opportunity to make a stay extraordinary.”
Ian Cheverie: First Les Clefs d’Or concierge for P.E.I.
Ian Cheverie and Kevin Murphy.
CHARLOTTETOWN — Murphy Hospitality Group (MHG) from Prince Edward Island is pleased to congratulate one of their own, Ian Cheverie, guest experience manager and concierge of The Great George Hotel, on receiving his Clefs d’Or last month.
Les Clefs d’Or, or The Golden Keys as it is commonly known, is a society of hotel concierges whose aim as an organization is to facilitate the exchange of ideas between their members and to provide mutual assistance in order to better serve their valued guests. It is a rigorous, two year process to receive entry into the organization and membership is held in high regard.
“Genuine Island Hospitality is something that Murphy Hospitality Group and The Great George Hotel take very seriously, and Ian is an excellent example of someone who lives and breathes the guest experience,” says Kevin Murphy, president of MHG.v“He continues to go above and beyond, truly living his favourite saying, “The answer is yes, what is your question.”
“The values that Les Clefs d’Or Concierges abide by could not be more true to the values we instill in ourselves at The Great George,” says Ian. “For me, that was a deciding factor that Les Clefs d’Or was the type of organization that I wanted to be a part of. Keeping positive relationships, understanding that we exist for the guest, spreading our passion for our industry with today’s youth, and striving to continuously offer the best possible experience that you can offer, are some of the reasons that made me want to become a member.”
Upon receiving his golden keys, Ian will become the first Les Clefs d’Or concierge on Prince Edward Island. This honour will help ensure the guest experience at The Great George is always at the highest level, and will further draw attention to Charlottetown and PEI as a première destination in Canada.
Gupta siblings boost Rogue Insight Capital Ltd.
Suraj and Reetu Gupta.
MARKHAM, Ont. — Canada’s entrepreneurial community has received a sibling-powered boost with the launch of Rogue Insight Capital Ltd. (www.rogueinsightcapital.com)
The Markham, ON-based angel investment firm specializes in supporting innovative start-ups across industries including cleantech, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, mining and metals, healthcare, biotechnology, and real estate-related start-ups, as examples.
With a multi-million dollar capital investment pool under management, the company provides funding and mentorship, facilitates strategic partnerships and offers a robust support network to some of the world’s leading entrepreneurs.
Led by the sibling team of Suraj and Reetu Gupta, and backed by The Gupta Group, Rogue Insight Capital currently manages investments across three continents and is actively seeking new opportunities.
The duo, who hold C‑suite positions with The Gupta Group and Easton’s Group of Hotels, will be actively engaged as angel investors, delivering their extensive business expertise to the various companies in which they invest.
“Our goal is to identify visionary entrepreneurs with game-changing ideas, provide them with the financial and business resources they need to grow, then change the world with some truly revolutionary products and services,” said Suraj Gupta, Rogue Insight Capital co-Founder, president and chief executive officer.
To help create the conditions for success, the firm is embracing a long-term investment approach as it seeks to find, fund and coach dynamic young companies from their inception through growth and eventual exit.
“We believe that with our angel investment team behind them, the entrepreneurs we support will have a strong chance of becoming market leaders in their respective fields,” says Reetu Gupta, Rogue Insight Capital’s co-founder and chief strategy officer, who this year earned a place on Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 ranking of outstanding young business leaders.
“Our job is to find entrepreneurs who are passionate, driven and committed to taking smart risks as we work to innovate and disrupt traditional business models,” she adds.
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