News

Top Canadian Hotels gather for annual VIP Leadership Dinner

TORONTO — Despite the full day of heavy snow, the 2019 Canadian Hotel VIP Leaders’ Dinner was a resounding success for a second year at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Toronto Airport.

361d0310cc91036816bc6a2228b7bfb5

TORONTO — Despite the full day of heavy snow, the 2019 Canadian Hotel VIP Leaders’ Dinner was a resounding success for a second year at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse by the Toronto Airport on Feb. 26.

The
annual event which coincides with the Hotel Association of Canada Conference,
saw leaders gather from companies such as Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Superior
Lodging, Choice, Sandman, Realstar, Innvest, Choice, Wyndham, Group Germain,
Coast, Holloway, MasterBUILT, Manga, Aimbridge and Cresita, in addition to
several provincial associations.

Takamasa Machiura and Duncan Chiu, Coast Hotels.

Takamasa Machiura and Duncan Chiu, Coast Hotels.

The
evening has become a key event each year including a wonderful meal and an
opportunity to spend time getting to know colleagues from across the industry
in a relaxed setting.

Jason Cheskes, president of Above the Line Solutions, a company
which leads purchasing programs and operator-vendor relations for several
clients, organized the event and opened the dinner by recognizing the work and
efforts of HAC Past-Chairs Phillipe Gadabois and Vito Curalli and then welcoming newly appointed chair, Jonathan
Lund of IHG.

Event organizer Jason Cheskes with Steve and Colleen Isherwood, Canadian Lodging News; Gungan Kalon, Wyndham; and Ian McAuley, Aimbridge.

Event organizer Jason Cheskes with Steve and Colleen Isherwood, Canadian Lodging News; Gungan Kalon, Wyndham; and Ian McAuley, Aimbridge.

Cheskes remarked “It
is my utmost pleasure to be able to gather this most prestigious group of hotel
industry leaders each year and receive such positive feedback about the event
and the concept”.

Micheal Van Dyke, Ecolab; Michael Strong, National Payments; Jeff Cury and Vito Curalli, Hilton.

Micheal Van Dyke, Ecolab; Michael Strong, National Payments; Jeff Cury and Vito Curalli, Hilton.

This year’s sponsors included Ecolab, RHB Enterprises, Foodbuy,
Serta-Simmons, Eden Textiles, National Payments, LG Electronics and Van Houtte.

“This is a
very unique event that Jason has put together and we are happy to be part of it
to socialize with such a fantastic group of hoteliers and suppliers to the
industry,” Don Cleary, president of Marriott Hotels Canada, told CLN.

Ian McAuley, Aimbridge; Don Cleary, Marriott; and James Chase, BC Hotel Association.

Ian McAuley, Aimbridge; Don Cleary, Marriott; and James Chase, BC Hotel Association.

Robert Pratt, Sandman and Carrie Russell, HVS.

Robert Pratt, Sandman and Carrie Russell, HVS.

Jason Cheskes, event organizer and Above The Line Solutions; Gungan Kalon and Chip Ohlsson, Wyndham

Jason Cheskes, event organizer and Above The Line Solutions; Gungan Kalon and Chip Ohlsson, Wyndham

Christine Pella, Serta-Simmons; Marc Staniloff, Superior Lodging Corp. and Jolene Reid, RLH Corp.

Christine Pella, Serta-Simmons; Marc Staniloff, Superior Lodging Corp. and Jolene Reid, RLH Corp.

Brian Leon, Choice Hotels Canada and Michael Starrett, Eden Textile.

Brian Leon, Choice Hotels Canada and Michael Starrett, Eden Textile.

Andrew Chlebus, LG; Jaret Waddell, Airline Hotels; and Nigel Lucas, Superior Lodging Corp.

Andrew Chlebus, LG; Jaret Waddell, Airline Hotels; and Nigel Lucas, Superior Lodging Corp.

For more photos go to CLN's Facebook Page.

Share on LinkedInShare on TwitterSend to a friendCopy Link