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 CromptonOpening 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