THE WINNERS' CIRCLE March 20, 2018

BCIT wins 2018 Tourism Student
Case Competition

KELOWNA, BC – The team
from BCIT’s Tourism Marketing Diploma Program was crowned the winner of this
year’s provincial Winning Pitch competition at the BC Tourism Industry
Conference in Kelowna on March 8.

The Winning Pitch, hosted by go2HR, BC’s tourism human
resource association, is a post-secondary student case competition. This year,
student teams from around BC developed a business concept for a new tourism
product or service that expands into and supports the development of shoulder-
and off-seasons of the tourism industry in their respective regions.

The BCIT team, made up of students Kelsey Acres,
Melissa Long, Mandy McArthur, and Daniella Potesta, took home first place and a
prize of $1,000 with their proposal of ​“Lakes and Land Cultural Adventures”, an
immersive Indigenous learning experience in the Lillooet region.

The finalists, which included Thompson Rivers
University, Selkirk College, BCIT, and Vancouver Island University, presented
their full business plans to over 100 conference delegates and a panel of
judges including James Terry from Partners in Tourism Society, Marsha Walden
from Destination British Columbia, and J.J. Belanger from Crystal Cove Beach
Resort. Conference delegates had the opportunity to vote for their favourite
business pitch, which contributed to the overall score. Other participating
institutions include:

– Thompson
Rivers University team with their proposal of ​“42 Eau Resort & Spa”, a high-end
rejuvenating escape combining cannabis and wellness in a sustainable resort
near Lac le Jeune;

– The Selkirk
College team with their proposal of ​“Kootenay Lake Rail Tour”, utilizing
existing railway infrastructure to provide guided dining tours by train between
Nelson and Cranbrook;

– The VIU
team with their proposal of ​“Nanaimo Bar Festival”, an affordable event
creating exposure for local businesses, easily replicated in other regions of
Vancouver Island.

“It’s wonderful to see the next bright young stars of
tourism utilize their education and apply their strategic thinking to support
the industry,” said Arlene Keis, CEO of go2HR. ​“We are very pleased with the
quality of all of the proposals, and applaud these students for taking on the
challenge of the Winning Pitch and displaying such consideration and insight in
their ideas. We would also like to extend our thanks to our major provincial
sponsors, Destination BC and Partners in Tourism Society, for their support of
this event.”

Days Inn Chairman’s Award winners recognized

TORONTO,
ON (February 1, 2018) – Realstar Hospitality announced the winners of its prestigious
Chairman’s Award. Presented annually, the award recognizes a select group of
Days Inns and Hotels that meet the highest level of quality and guest service.
Criteria are based on an algorithm that combines metrics of brand standards,
operational requirements and guest feedback.

“We’re
proud to celebrate the success of those who consistently deliver memorable
experiences that exceed guest expectations,” said Irwin Prince, President &
COO, Realstar Hospitality. ​“Our recipients all demonstrate a remarkable
commitment to hospitality excellence.”

Chairman’s
Award Recipients for 2017 are:

· Days Inn & Suites – Langley,
BC

· Days Inn & Suites – Airdrie,
AB

· Days Hotel & Suites –
Lloydminster, AB

· Days Inn – Medicine Hat, AB

· Days Inn & Suites – Sherwood
Park, AB

· Days Inn – Regina Airport West,
SK

· Days Inn – Saskatoon, SK

· Days Inn & Suites – Warman
Legends Centre, SK

· Days Inn & Suites – Yorkton,
SK

· Days Inn – Steinbach, MB

· Days Inn & Suites –
Collingwood, ON

· Days Inn & Suites – Lindsay,
ON

· Days Inn – Orillia, ON

· Days Inn & Suites – Thunder
Bay, ON

· Days Inn – Thunder Bay North, ON

· Days Inn – Berthierville, QC

· Days Inn – Rivière-du-Loup, QC

· Days Inn – Edmundston, NB

· Days Inn – Miramichi, NB

· Days Inn – Stephenville, NF

Canada’s
Best Managed Companies 2018

Canada’s Best Managed Companies is Canada’s leading business awards program, recognizing excellence in private Canadian-owned companies. Each year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies undergo a rigorous application process, but only the best are awarded with this prestigious designation.

This year, four Canadian hospitality companies made the list of Platinum Club Members, those who have been on the list for seven or more years. They are: Airline Hotels, Canad Inns, Groupe Germain Hotels and Hunter Amenities.

MasterBUILT
Hotels/​Superior Lodging is a member of the Gold Club, consisting of companies that have been on the list for four to six years.

Hospitality companies that have won the award for the first time this year, include Kruger Products L.P., a leading manufacturer of tissue products for commercial and residential use and Noralta Lodge Ltd.

“Best Managed winners
should be extremely proud of their accomplishments,” said Peter Brown, partner,
Deloitte and co-leader, Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. ​“The
marketplace is changing rapidly and this incredible class of companies’
commitment and entrepreneurial leadership help drive business success that is
critical for the health of our economy.”

To see the full list of
2018 recipients, visit Best Managed Companies.

Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship 

VANCOUVER — The deadline of April 2 is fast approaching for aspiring chefs interested in the Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship. Founded by Chef David Hawksworth in 2013,
the scholarship continues its search for the rising stars of Canada’s culinary
scene, offering them the opportunity to showcase their talent to a panel of the
country’s most esteemed chefs and critics and the chance at the grand prize of
$10,000.

Once again, regional heats will be held across the country through May in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary and Vancouver.

The scholarship’s founder and owner of Vancouver’s Hawksworth Restaurant, Nightingale and Bel Café, Chef David Hawksworth will be joined by leading chefs from across the country. Past judges have included Chef Anthony Walsh of Oliver & Bonacini Group, Chef Connie de Sousa of Charcut Roast House, Chef Derek Dammann of Maison Publique, Chef Lee Cooper of L’Abattoir, Chef Marc – André Royal of La Bête à Pain, Chef Mark McEwan of The McEwan Group, Chef Michael Noble of NOtaBLEand The Nash and Chef Scott Jaeger of The Pear Tree.

“I’m so grateful to the judges and culinary community for their generous support. In the past five years, we’ve been amazed at the level of excellence these young chefs bring to the table and are sure this year will prove no different,” explained Hawksworth. ​“As always, I’m excited to meet these brilliant young chefs and truly proud to play a part in the shaping of their fruitful careers as chefs.”

Throughout the regional heats, 10 chosen candidates will compete against each other – and the clock – to create a main course dish for four using specified pantry ingredients within the 90 minutes given. The top two from each heat will carry forward to the final event, where they’re allotted three hours to prepare and plate four identical main course dishes and four identical dessert dishes using the selection of surprise Black Box ingredients and common pantry items. The top prize will be awarded to the young Canadian chef who displays the drive, passion and skill to succeed as judged by the panel of industry professionals.