A Toast For Tony
Canada’s hotel industry was out in full force as they gathered in Toronto last week (Feb. 29 to March 1, 2016) for the Hotel Association of Canada’s annual conference, leading HAC president, Tony Pollard to observe: “The solid attendance is the result of a robust program which clearly resonated with the industry.”
However, talking to those on hand for the event, it wasn’t just the conference program – which featured an address by Canada’s minister of small business and tourism, Bardish Chagger and presentations by Destination Canada’s David Goldstein and RBC’s Robert Hogue – it was also the opportunity to recognize the contribution of the long-serving Pollard, who earlier this year announced he will be retiring at the end of August, reports executive editor, Bob Mowat in this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press.
In fact, a special Champagne Toast to recognize Pollard’s 25 years of dedicated service to HAC was part of the program and HAC chairman, Philippe Gadbois observed: “We are honoured to have been able to celebrate with Tony. He is a true industry icon who has helped make the Canadian lodging industry into the success it is today.”
The mood at this year’s conference was an upbeat one, clearly the industry is buoyed by the support that it has been receiving from the newly elected government.
Pollard praised Minister Chagger for her address in which she outlined government initiatives designed to support the tourism industry, and stating: “Our members and guests came to share opinions and gain ideas on the key issues we all share. Everyone left with more than one takeaway.”
Minister Chagger said: “I can’t think of an industry with more reach than tourism. It is part of every Canadian community. I look forward to working with stakeholders like the Hotel Association of Canada to increase tourism, strengthen the Canadian brand, and grow our economy from coast to coast to coast.”
For more on HAC’s 2016 conference, check out this week’s digital edition of Canadian Travel Press by clicking here.
