Program

The BCHA Summit returns to unite British Columbia's accommodation and business community for two days of industry connection and excellence.

With a dynamic program primed to elevate, inspire, and educate and a vendor marketplace with 50+ suppliers offering innovative tech solutions, services, and products, the Summit promises an immersive experience tailored to the needs of hospitality professionals.

Join us to network with leaders, owners, operators, vendors, and tech partners - to drive profitability in the ever-evolving world of hospitality. 

Conference Schedule at a Glance

Day 1 | Wednesday, May 1

1pm - 1:15pm

  • Welcome to Whistler
    Mayor Jack Crompton

  • Opening Remarks
    Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

1:15pm - 2:00pm

  • Opening Keynote: Driving Direct Bookings in 2024
    Charlie Osmond, Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer, Triptease

2:00pm - 3:05pm

  • Advocacy Update and Town Hall
    Ingrid Jarrett, President & CEO, BCHA; Adrienne Foster, VP of Policy & Public Affairs, Hotel Association of Canada

3:05pm - 3:10pm

  • A Moment with BC Hospitality Foundation
    Alana Dickson, Executive Director, BC Hospitality Foundation

3:15pm - 3:45pm

  • Networking Break

3:45pm - 4:30pm

  • Reclaiming Canada’s Competitiveness
    Marsha Walden, President & CEO, Destination Canada

4:30pm - 5:00pm

  • Meetings Mean Business
    Minto Schneider, Board Chair, Meetings Mean Business Canada;
    Anthony Woo, Director of Sales, Amadeus Hospitality

6pm - 7:30pm

  • Opening Reception at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

  • Dinner on own

Day 2 | Thursday, May 2

8:00am - 8:45am

  • Breakfast | Marketplace

Main Stage

8:45am - 9:30am

  • Checking the Pulse of Hotel Performance in BC
    Carrie Russell, Senior Managing Partner, HVS;
    Emile Gourieux, Regional Manager, STR

9:30am - 9:35am

  • Combating Human Trafficking
    Irwin Prince, President & COO, Realstar Hospitality

9:35am - 10:20am

  • Large Events and Sport Tourism in BC
    Chris May, General Manager, BC Place;
    Nancy Small, Chair, BCDMOA

10:20am - 11:00am

  • Networking Break | Marketplace

11:00 - 11:45am

  • Transportation and the Future of Travel in BC
    Eric Pateman, Chief Experience Officer, YVR; Nicolas Jimenez, President & CEO, BC Ferries; Serge Corbeil, Director, Government Relations, Local & Provincial, Air Canada; John Wilson, President & CEO, Wilson Group of Companies

11:45am - 1:15pm

  • Lunch | Marketplace

1:15pm - 2:00pm

  • Trends and Innovation in Hotel Operations
    Will Loughran, Chief Operating Officer, Concord Hospitality Enterprises;
    Tanya Stroinig, Chief Operating Officer, Prestige Hotels;
    Eda Koot, General Manager, Inn at Laurel Point;
    Ken Hall, General Manager, Fairmont Chateau Whistler

2:00pm - 2:45pm

  • Building Tomorrow’s Hospitality Landscape: Strategies for Hotel Infrastructure & Development in Addressing Market Dynamics, and Event Demands
    Royce Chwin, President & CEO, Destination Vancouver; Trevor Scott, Managing Director, CFO Capital;
    Simon Mills, President, Valley First, a division of First West Credit Union

2:45pm - 3:15pm

  • Networking Break | Marketplace

3:15pm - 4:00pm

  • Closing Keynote: Put Yourself in the Picture and Imagine the Best
    Lesra Martin, Lawyer, Author & Motivational Speaker

4:00pm - 4:15pm

  • Closing Remarks & Grand Draw Prize

FAST TRACK YOUR FUTURE

9:35am - 10:20am

  • Hotel Reputation Through a Risk Management Lens: Preparing for the Expected and Unexpected
    Jessica Harcombe Fleming, Senior VP, National; Samantha Geer, VP, Hospitality & Tourism, tartanbond

11:00am - 11:45am

  • A Journey Beyond Reservations: Enhancing Guest Experiences to Increase Hotel Sales
    Brent O’Connor; Bed + Plate Sales Strategies

1:15pm - 2:00pm

  • How Prioritizing Workplace Mental Health Can Build A Culture of Excellence
    MacKenzie MacDonald, Regional Learning & Development Director, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts; Erin O’Byrne, Workplace Psychological Health & Safety Coach, go2HR

2:00pm - 2:45pm

  • Dishing up Optimism: A New Narrative for Canada’s Restaurant Industry
    Jay Ashton, National Brand Activation Manager, Sysco Canada

Marketplace

Featuring 50+ trusted vendors specializing in cutting-edge tech, services, and products.


7:30am, 10:20am, 11:45am (Lunch), and 2:45pm

Hotelier of the Year

  • Kristian Miller, General Manager, 2400 Motel

  • Bill Lewis, General Manager, Magnolia Hotel & Spa

  • Mandy Farmer, CEO & President, Accent Inns

  • Sarah Webb, General Manager, Oswego Hotel

Leader of the future

  • Dawson Leduc, Operations Manager, Oswego Hotel

  • Fiona Scrivens, Sales and Marketing Coordinator, Crystal Lodge

  • Maxim Borodin, General Manager, Fairfield by Marriott Kamloops

  • Taylor Doherty, Learning and Development Manager, Accent Inns

SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION

  • Huntingdon Manor Hotel & Pendray Inn Tea House - Victoria, BC

  • Quality Inn and Suites - Vernon, BC

  • 2400 Motel - Vancouver, BC

BCHA Awards of Excellence Gala

6:00pm - 10:00pm

Accommodation of the Year

  • Magnolia Hotel & Spa - Victoria, BC

  • Westin Bayshore, Vancouver

  • Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort - Mackenzie Sound, BC

Housekeeping Excellence

  • Coast Tsawwassen Inn - Tsawwassen, BC

  • Crystal Lodge - Whistler, BC

  • Magnolia Hotel & Spa - Victoria, BC

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

  • Eden Textile

  • Ecolab

  • RHB

CULLINARY EXCELLENCE

  • Alain Leger, Eldorado Resort - Kelowna, BC

  • Linnea Letourneau, Nimmo Bay Resort - Mackenzie Sound, BC