HAC President Pollard to Retire
The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) reports that its president, Tony Pollard, is set to retire, effective Aug. 31.
Pollard has been the president of the Hotel Association of Canada since the establishment of its national office in Ottawa in 1991. He also has 36 years of government relations experience having served earlier in his career as special assistant to the federal Minister of Transport and senior policy advisor to the Secretary of State.
“I am grateful to have spent the past 25 years with the association working on behalf of our members and the Canadian lodging industry,” said Pollard. “I am very proud of what the HAC has accomplished during the past two plus decades.”
In addition to being the advocate and spokesperson for the Canadian lodging industry, Pollard has written various publications including “Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes” and “Green Key – An Overnight Success Eleven Years in the Making.” In 2011, he was the winner of the USA Today Award of Excellence for his publication “Hospitality for Chinese Guests.” He is a frequent guest speaker and a sought after industry expert by national and international media.
Pollard has held a variety of voluntary positions including that of vice-president of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA), member of the board of directors of the IHRA, the University of Guelph, Humber College, Algonquin College and Tourism HR Canada. He is a founding member of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and was the volunteer president of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.
In 2012, Pollard was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for dedicated service to his peers, to the community and to Canada.
“Tony Pollard has provided invaluable leadership for the HAC and our industry. His consistent and resolute focus on working with members to improve the industry has distinguished the HAC and made it what it is today, the effective voice of the Canadian hotel & lodging industry,” said Philippe Gadbois, chairman, HAC. “We are indebted to his vision and commitment to propelling the association and the industry forward.”
A champagne toast celebrating Pollard’s 25 years with the HAC will be held at the Hotel Association of Canada Conference March 1 at the Hilton Toronto Downtown.
