Breaking News

Hazelton Hotel Welcomes New General Manager
2021/03/08

Toronto’s first luxury boutique hotel has a new general manager. Gaurav Dutta will oversee the Hazelton’s day-to-day operations and performance in his leadership position. “I am moving into this exciting chapter and role with an incredible team of hospitality experts and a strong existing relationship with our guests and residents,” says Dutta. “Together, we will have the opportunity to build on our success, heighten our service excellence and preserve the exceptional culture of our establishment.” Dutta joined the Hazelton in…
Futuristic Venue Slated for Toronto’s CNE Grounds
2021/03/08

Toronto’s Exhibition Place will be the site of a new entertainment venue and hotel complex, according to plans revealed by Overactive Media. Designed by Populous, the futuristic building will deliver an iconic architectural presence along the city’s waterfront and reflect a modern expression of a new age theatre for sports and entertainment. “The design was neither conceived as a sports arena nor an opera house; rather, a new typology that creates a merger of the old and the new,” says…
MMBC Chair Recognized for Industry Advocacy
2021/03/08

Meetings Mean Business Canada (MMBC) chair Clark Grue is the recipient of this year’s President’s Award, presented by the Toronto chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI). “Over the past year, Clark has captured not only my attention but my deep respect,” said Margaret Binns, president of MPI Toronto. “In his role as chair of MMBC, he works tirelessly to advocate to elected officials and industry stakeholders about the critical social and economic impact that our industry has on the financial…
Hotel Chain Incentivizes Vaccination with Financial Reward
2021/03/08

Employees at Marriott hotels will receive the equivalent of four hours of pay if they get vaccinated for COVID-19. The hotel chain made the announcement March 4. “Marriott International is confident that vaccination is a key measure, along with mask wearing, social distancing and stepped up cleanliness protocols and hygiene practices, in minimizing the spread of COVID-19,” says Marriott’s global chief human resources officer, David Rodriguez. “As vaccines become more widely available, this will create a safer environment for all…
Event Companies come Together to Elevate Remote Live Experiences
2021/03/08

Two Western Canadian event companies have teamed up to tackle the growing demand for high-end hybrid and virtual events. Experience Factory, a joint venture by OneWest Event Design and Orange Frog Productions, is a 7,000-square-foot private broadcasting studio and hybrid event space fully equipped with both the technology and talent to deliver a virtual event on par with the streaming services, cable networks and awards shows regularly enjoyed remotely. OneWest is an event management and design company in Calgary and…
B.C. Convention Centre Re-envisions Space for Safe Return of Events
2021/02/22

In anticipation of the return of in-person events, the Vancouver Convention Centre has put together a ‘safe events’ plan. Called ReDesign, the convention centre worked with industry partners to create a live demonstration space that highlights how event aspects could evolve amid the changing industry landscape. “We took a proactive step to explore what events will look like and how they can function so our clients are able to host meaningful experiences with the assurance that decisions are informed by…
Canada’s Tourism Industry Association Welcomes New President and CEO
2021/02/22

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has found its new leader in Beth Potter following an intensive search. “I’m excited to be taking on this new challenge. This is a critical time for the tourism industry,” says Potter. “The decisions the government takes in the coming weeks and months will have a significant impact on our ability to bring back the jobs and economic growth that tourism contributed to the Canadian economy before the COVID-19 pandemic.” Potter will officially…
ILEA Expands Categories for Annual Esprit Awards
2021/02/22

Submissions are now open for the 2021 ILEA Esprit Awards. Held annually by the International Live Events Association (ILEA), the awards program recognizes exceptional individual and organizational achievements from many facets of the events industry. This year, the awards are open to the entire events community and include five new categories that celebrate unique accomplishments in 2020: best corporate social responsibility; best diversity, equity and inclusion initiative; best hybrid event; best industry adaptation; and best virtual event. In total, there…
New GBTA Executive Director Aims to Lead Business Travel out of Pandemic
2021/02/22

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has named Suzanne Neufang as the new executive director after a months-long search. “Suzanne is unquestionably the visionary to lead business travel to a complete recovery in the years ahead,” says GBTA president, Bhart Sarin. “It will be a distinct privilege to support her as we complete our integration of GBTA and ACTE and build on the momentum of the Ready. Safe. Travel. campaign toward our annual convention in July.” Neufang was chosen by…
WestJet Cancels More Domestic Flights as Seat Sales Slump
2021/02/22

WestJet is cutting service to another four Canadian cities due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Flights between St. John’s and Halifax, and London, Ont., and Toronto will be temporarily suspended as of March 21 and 22, respectively. WestJet Link service from Calgary to Lloydminster and Medicine Hat, Alta., will end around the same time. “We have continued to operate in the face of uncertainty as domestic and international travel restrictions and quarantines have caused demand to plummet,” said WestJet president and CEO, Ed Sims,…

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