HOTEL HOSPITALITY magazine MAY 12 & 13, 2016 DELTA BESSBOROUGH HOTEL SASKATOON MAY 12 & 13, 2016 DELTA BESSBOROUGH HOTEL SASKATOON

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1 MARCH 2016 PM # CONVENTION HOTEL HOSPITALITY magazine 2016 CONVENTION 2016 MAY 12 & 13, 2016 DELTA BESSBOROUGH HOTEL SASKATOON MAY 12 & 13, 2016 DELTA BESSBOROUGH HOTEL SASKATOON CONVENTION REGISTRATION ON THE BACK COVER

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3 contents Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association Broad Street Regina, SK S4P 1Y3 T: (306) F: (306) All materials are the property of the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association and its members. EXECUTIVE CHAIR Glenn Weir VICE CHAIR Gary Hoffert CEO Jim Bence ZONE DIRECTORS NORTH WEST Lance Grosco NORTH EAST Bryan Baraniski CENTRAL WEST Gary Hoffert CENTRAL EAST Herman Zentner SOUTH WEST Jasmine Deblois SOUTH EAST Joel Kish REGINA HOTEL ASSOCIATION Glenn Weir SASKATOON HOTEL ASSOCIATION Courtney Morrison BREW PUBS, RESTAURANTS & LOUNGES Denny Joyal RESORTS John McKenzie SALES WARREN NERBY T: (306) DISTRIBUTION PRAIRIE ADVERTISING LTD. Regina, Saskatchewan ASSOCIATION NEWS 5 CEO MESSAGE WHAT S ON YOUR RADAR 7 TOURISM SPOTLIGHT INDUSTRY NEWS 8 FINALLY A NEW LIQUOR RETAILING POLICY 9 SLGA UPDATE 12 A HISTORY OF ONLINE TRAVEL AGENTS 12 THE COST OF AN INJURY 15 FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM MEMBER NEWS 17 WINSTON S PUB A CONVERSATION WITH OWNER CHRIS BEAVIS Publication Mail Agreement # Return undeliverable mail to: Circulation Department Broad Street Regina, SK S4P 1Y3 PRINTED IN CANADA 3

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5 ASSOCIATION NEWS CEO MESSAGE: What s on Your Radar? Jim Bence, President & CEO W ell, who saw that The WCB 2015 Strategic Plan finally stated that a review coming? Global oil of the rate setting model would occur. It did not. As of prices plunging below the $30 a barrel mark has oil producing regions around the world in extreme distress and everyone wondering when will it all end was one tough year February of 2016, a Request for Proposal for the analysis was started, but the actual review itself is nowhere in sight. Analyzing recently released WCB data, we have determined that the premium rates used this year to calculate what you would pay are nothing more than an extension of the previous years. The reduction in costs that occurred last year had zero bearing on this year s rates! for the provinces hospitality industry, and 2016 is proving to be even more challenging. And without a crystal ball, we are left with the pressing question, What s next?!? We don t have a crystal ball, or a Long Island Medium on staff, but here are a few things that are on our radar. All of them impact your bottom line, and unless we hold them up to the light and make others aware, these issues could wash over our industry like a tsunami and sweep us away before we see the wave coming. WCB vs YOUR BOTTOM LINE. Without the advocacy of the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association, and the Stakeholders Advisory Committee to the Workers Compensation Board (WCB), you would not have seen the cheque you did from the WCB. They were going to keep a massive portion of the money they had over collected from the employers of Saskatchewan and it wasn t until we put extreme pressure on them, did they relent and return the entire $141 million dollars that was over collected in In a stunning revelation at their AGM last year, the WCB confessed that they had over collected yet again, this time to the tune of another $91 million dollars. The SHHA has maintained for years that the rate setting model isn t responding to the dropping costs of claims and warned the WCB that this was going to continue to occur. It begs the question, what is the WCB doing? They have been on notice for 5 years that they have a problem, and because it has been largely ignored, they have been allowed to continue to over-charge the employers of this province to the tune of 100 s of millions of dollars. This leads to other very concerning questions. Some are asking Is the WCB mismanaged? Others query At what point does the Board of the WCB fulfill their mandate and govern the administration more effectively? The inactivity of the board to respond in a timely fashion to years of protests by employers defies reason and we wonder if it isn t time for the government to intervene on behalf of all employers of the province. ON-LINE TRAVEL AGENCIES COMMISSIONS vs YOUR BOTTOM LINE. Expedia, Booking.com and that Trivago guy have been eating our lunch for years, and there seems to be no end in sight or is there? We have some ideas on how we can assist you to keep more of your revenues and decrease the amount of cash you spend every year in commissions. We need to come together as an industry and engage the OTA s in an effort to negotiate lower commission rates (You pay 20-25% where some big brands pay as low as 12-15%), and, find ways to drive the customer directly to your door and avoid the OTA channels. In a time when expense management is a critical piece of everyday conversations, there is no bigger discussion that needs to happen. 5

6 AIRBNB vs YOUR BOTTOM LINE. If you think OTA s are gorging themselves on your revenues, just wait till Airbnb gets a grip in Saskatchewan. Having a huge impact on occupancies around the globe, our economy can little afford to give up any market share to a sharing economy. Understanding who is in your market place and how to compete with them will be the difference between profitability, mere survival or sadly in some cases extinction. SGEU, LIQUOR AND CAM BROTEN vs YOUR BOTTOM LINE. SGEU has rolled out its suite of media communications to a public that has very little interest in their tired, irrelevant message. Using the same commercials with the same misinformation, the current campaign seems to have had zero traction with the average Saskatchewan consumer. The people of this province are too smart, and see through the nonsense of union claims that converting government liquor stores will result in lost revenue for roads, hospitals and schools. And true to form, when Cam Broten was asked at the Saskatchewan Chamber Political Forum of his thoughts on the proposed changes, he said, and I summarize, I wouldn t change anything. I would help some of the underperforming stores with their lighting. Typically status quo from the party who, by ignoring the government liquor stores that have been hemorrhaging money for years, actually reduced the flow of money into the General Revenue Fund. PAYMENT CARD INDUSTRY COMPLIANCE vs YOUR PEACE OF MIND. Branded properties are all working diligently on credit card privacy and PCI compliance. Are you? Are you aware of the rules and what could happen if you are not in compliance? What would a fine look like? What does an audit look like, and how do you stack up? It might be worth your time to visit to see if you have your butt covered. In our industry, it s not what you make, it s what you keep. Between the WCB, the OTA s and Airbnb s, we are seeing revenues syphoned from our bottom line like never before. We need to be educated, we need to plan, and we need to execute. WE need to do these things if we are going to survive in this ever changing competitive market. We have a number of opportunities to come together this year to learn, discuss and strategize about next steps. Take them, don t miss the chance to have your voice heard and be a part of change. Yours in Hospitality, When the Saskatchewan Party is re-elected, we will see the changes we have lobbied so hard for and our members can finally compete on the same even playing field as everyone else. SHHA SHHA SAVINGS AVERAGING 17% PER YEAR CALL ABOUT OUR FLEX PLAN 6

7 DARRYL Caudle I n April 2015 Darryl Caudle accepted the position of Vice President of Hotel Operations for Westcap Management and oversees the Saskatoon Ramada Hotel and the Ramada Plaza Hotel Regina. Prior to this appointment Darryl was the General Manager of the Park Town Hotel, Saskatoon, bringing 25 years of experience from the Sheraton Cavalier, Saskatoon where he held the position of Rooms Division/Revenue Manager. Darryl has been involved with the hospitality industry in Saskatchewan for over 30 years, starting at the Keg restaurant. Darryl Caudle Vice President - Hotel Operations Sask Ramada The Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association would like to congratulate Darryl on his appointment and his many successful years in the industry. TOURISM SPOTLIGHT Hazel Hack, Heritage Inn Hotels, Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. By Darrell Noakes, Tourism Saskatchewan This post is published on behalf of the Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council, the education and training department of Tourism Saskatchewan Hazel Hack Heritage Inn Hotels Moose Jaw and Saskatoon E very month STEC takes the opportunity to feature one of our industry s outstanding Certified Professionals and puts them in the Tourism Spotlight. This month we are very pleased to recognize Hazel Hack, Sales & Marketing Representative at X-Dream Marketing, representing the Heritage Inn Hotels in Moose Jaw and Saskatoon. In 2009, Hazel achieved emerit certification in four tourism occupations including Front Desk Agent, Reservations Sales Agent, Housekeeping Room Attendant and Tourism Visitor Information Counsellor, as well as obtaining a certificate as a Workplace Trainer. For Hazel, these certifications were stepping stones to yet another goal of achieving her Guest Services Representative Journeyperson certification through the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship & Trade Certification Commission (SATCC), which was also achieved in Before starting on her emerit path, Hazel had been sitting on the SATCC board, representing employees in hospitality occupations, and she realized she was the only board member who was not a Journeyperson. I decided if I was going to be a board member, I should complete the process myself. A big part of my success was having the support of my employer as well as having STEC behind me with encouragement and always on the other end of the phone or by to answer questions. Hazel encourages colleagues and peers to enroll in certification and apprenticeship. Learning should never stop, learning as much as you can on how to treat people and guests will benefit not only themselves but also the company they work for. The Heritage Inn in Moose Jaw certainly support their employees by offering a wage increase upon becoming a Journeyperson. Hazel clearly loves her work. She plans to stay with her current career until she retires. That retirement may be as far as six years from now, but in the meantime she plans to keep learning and leading by example.. 7

8 INDUSTRY NEWS FINALLY a New Liquor Retailing Policy Todd McKay Canadian Taxpayers Federation I t s a good bet that a lot of hoteliers know what a customer is going to buy the moment the off-sale door opens. That s because hoteliers know their customers. The Saskatchewan government is planning to implement a new liquor retailing policy that s the biggest step forward for the industry since the end of Prohibition. And the best part of the new policy is that hoteliers will finally have the opportunity to serve their customers right. The current system is unfair. Hoteliers have to pay retail prices for their stock which means they have to charge customers more. But that s not where the unfairness ends. There are a web of silly rules and restrictions. For example, rural franchises and government stores aren t allowed to sell cold Pilsner. Anyone who cares about serving customers right knows beer should be sold cold. Everyone selling liquor in Saskatchewan should have the right to provide the best possible price and service to their customers and that s exactly what the new policy does. There will be one liquor retail licence with one set of rules and one pricing structure. All liquor retailers, from hoteliers to government stores, will pay the same wholesale price for stock. The government is also getting rid of 40 of its least profitable stores to let the private sector take over. This is a huge opportunity for hoteliers: after decades of watching government stores take the lion s share of business, hoteliers will be able to compete for customers on a level playing field. # Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 1Y3 Phone: Facsimile: info@skhha.com Website: The Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association (SHHA) is the provincial organization that represents YOU and the many hotels, bars and restaurants in Saskatchewan. Our association is responsible for providing you with the voice and support our industry needs to operate effectively and profitably. We are YOUR voice with government ministries, MLA s and bureaucracy. For example: LIQUOR: Among many activities relate to this file, The Saskatchewan Hotels and Hospitality Association (SHHA), Restaurants Canada and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) jointly launched a petition calling for fairness in pricing, selection and regulation for liquor retailing. This lobbying will have a direct, positive effect on your bottom line. WCB: Our work with WCB was another recent example of our effectiveness and the direct impact on YOUR bottom line. Because of the efforts of the SHHA, the Workers Compensation Board reversed an earlier decision to withhold surplus funds and return the entire $141 million of YOUR money. IMMIGRATION: The SHHA entered into an unprecedented agreement with the government of the Solomon Islands, witnessed and endorsed by SK government Minister of Immigration and Tourism Jeremy Harrison, which will provide temporary foreign workers from the island nation 8 Other details and examples of our work can be found on our website at Belonging to the SHHA is an important business decision that will pays you dividends throughout the year. With your support we will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf. We know that being part of our association is beneficial to you, your family, your business and the industry as a whole.

9 SLGA UPDATE March 2016 A s you may be aware, in June of 2015 the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association (SHHA) took part in the formation of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee to SLGA. This group was comprised of buyers and sellers of beverage alcohol in the Saskatchewan. Never before has such a group of experts assembled to discuss mutual concerns specific to liquor. The committee, consisting of the SHHA, the Saskatchewan Liquor Vendors Association, Restaurants Canada, ALES Club, Fine Wines Saskatchewan, and, the Canadian Tax Payers Federation found many areas of common interest and formed a plan to better engage the government and the SLGA. Through the combined efforts of the Advisory Committee, and meaningful discussions with SLGA Minister Don McMorris, the Saskatchewan Party announced sweeping changes to liquor legislation and in what way beverage alcohol would be bought and sold in the province should the Saskatchewan Party be re-elected on April 4. These changes include: One licence for all liquor retailers (Retail Store Permit). One wholesale, unified price for all R.S.P s. The conversion of 40 public liquor stores to R.S.P. Introduce and RFP 12 new permits in underrepresented areas. Encouraged by the announcement, the Advisory Committee was very interested in how the new policies and procedures would be implemented, and, wanted to be an integral part of the creation and development of the systems required to deliver these proposed changes. In December of 2015 Raynelle Wilson, Director of Enterprise with SLGA, met with the Advisory Committee to discuss and elicit feedback on how to proceed, and, create an effective and efficient liquor distribution system. Very productive discussions regarding implementation, pricing, distribution, supply, and selection took place, along with an agreement that further meetings would be beneficial to all parties. Last week the SLGA, SHHA, Restaurants Canada, SLVA and other stakeholders met for 4 sessions over 2 days to discuss a broad range of topics. Structured as a Focus Group, questions and feedback were centered on the new Level Playing Field, Retail Store Permits, Supply Chain Model, Pricing, Online Ordering, Inducements, Special Occasion Permits, Agent Stocked Warehousing, the Special Order Desk, Payment Terms/Methods, and the RFP Process, etc. The consensus of the SHHA was that the meetings were very productive and represented an opportunity for our members to offer their opinion. As the end-user, SHHA members have the single biggest impact on the overall customer experience, and know what drives consumer satisfaction, and also have strong opinions on how best to serve the public. We were left with the impression that the SLGA, as a partner in the process, heard us loud and clear. The intent of the meetings was not to come to any decisions, but for stakeholders to meet and come away with information that could be used to enhance liquor procurement and delivery in the province. So far the SHHA is encouraged by what we heard, and eagerly look forward to post-election changes. TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF CANADA 2015 Canadian Tourism Awards T he Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada s tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada. Congratulations to Saskatchewan winners. THE INTERCONTINENTAL HOTELS GROUP TOURISM EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR AWARD Michelle Blakely, Tourism Moose Jaw - Moose Jaw, SK WINNER The Canadian Tourism Awards have become the standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the nation s best tourism products, services and experiences. THE INNVEST REIT TOURISM EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel - Saskatoon, SK WINNER 9

10 SASKATCHEWAN HOTEL & HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE & EXPO MAY 12 & 13, 2016 DELTA BESSBOROUGH HOTEL SASKATOON THURSDAY MAY 12 10:00 am 3:00 pm CONVENTION REGISTRATION Delegates may pick up their registration kits on the convention floor. Name badges are required to be worn for entry to all functions and sessions. Noon 1:30 pm ` AWARDS LUNCHEON Adam Ballroom Master of Ceremonies, MARY-TAYLOR ASH, CEO, Tourism Saskatchewan Official opening of the convention. We ll salute the 2016 Employers of Choice, SHHA scholarship winners, SHSA Safety Centred Leadership Award and the Long Service employees. 1:45 3:00 pm THE IMPORTANCE OF TEAMWORK Adam Ballroom MICHAEL PINBALL CLEMONS CFL Legend Whether in uniform, on the sidelines, or in the front office, Pinball has always been and continues to be one of Canada s favorite personalities. Known for a personality that is as electric as his style of play on the field was, Michael Pinball Clemons redefines the meaning of community involvement and has been recognized by many organizations for his tireless work with charities, schools and other community groups. Mike was awarded the Order of Ontario in In 2007, he fulfilled a longtime ambition by launching the Michael Pinball Clemons Foundation to quicken academic excellence, infuse depth of character, promote health and vitality, and inspire generosity in our youth. Sponsored by 3:15 pm 4:15 pm TAKE BACK YOUR GUESTS: OTA SESSION Adam Ballroom DAVE KAISER. President & CEO, AHLA Dave Kaiser is the President & CEO of the Alberta Hotel & Hotel Lodging (AHLA) Once upon a time, Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) were allies of the hotel industry, bringing in bookings from markets that hotels would have struggled to access, or by helping to sell unbooked rooms. Fast forward to 2016 and the relationship is no longer so friendly. OTAs like Expedia and Hotels.com compete directly against a hotel s own promotional efforts, creating a substantial shift in how travelers book rooms. This shift in booking behavior saw hoteliers across Canada pay over $250 million in commissions to the OTAs in 2012 alone. The hotel industry is fighting back with Check In Canada. Any SHHA member who wants to increase direct bookings to their property and get their guests back from the OTAs should plan to attend this session. 4:15 pm 6:00 pm BREWERS WELCOME RECEPTION Convention Level Great Western, Labatt and Molson Coors hope you enjoy their complimentary beverages as you relax with colleagues after a busy afternoon at the convention. 3:00 pm 3:15 pm Coffee Break 10 6:00 pm 7:30 pm DELEGATE DINNER Adam Ballroom Come as you are and enjoy delicious dinner and a major prize draw. The dinner is a fantastic opportunity to meet and network with your fellow delegates.

11 7:30 pm 11:30 pm DELEGATE LOUNGE OPENS William Pascoe Room The Delegate Lounge is the place to relax, have a drink and enjoy some great live comedy and a DJ for your entertainment. You must be a registered delegate to attend this exciting social event. Banger Bingo are the original Bingo- Calling Glam Rock Supergroup making their way across stadiums and back yard parties alike. With a tight knit team of dedicated head bangers and even tighter clothing, they re sure to get you in touch with your inner rock star! Let them take you on a gameshow journey through the greatest decade of all time celebrating big hair and big guitar licks! Sponsored by FRIDAY MAY 13 8:00 am 9:00 am DELEGATE BREAKFAST Sponsored by 9:15 am 10:45 am SLGA: THE NEW ROAD TO RETAIL LIQUOR SALES William Pascoe Room BARRY LACEY, President & CEO and RAYNELLE WILSON, Director, Enterprise Initiatives at Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority In June of 2015 the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association (SHHA) took part in the formation of the Stakeholders Advisory Committee to SLGA. This group was comprised of buyers and sellers of beverage alcohol in the Saskatchewan. Through the combined efforts of the Advisory Committee, and meaningful discussions with SLGA the Saskatchewan Party announced sweeping changes to liquor legislation and in what way beverage alcohol would be bought and sold in the province. Attend this session and hear how these changes will affect your business 9:15 am 10:30 am CRISIS? WHAT CRISIS? Spadina Room PAT REDIGER, Owner, Benchmark Group Pat Rediger began his career as a journalist Pat Rediger Benchmark Group and Benchmark Public Relations, one of the premier public relations firms on the prairies. Are you nervous, scared or unprepared for media interviews? Are you thrown off guard by tough questions or hostile reporters? What do you tell the media when there are allegations of bed bugs or staff washing cups in the toilet at your business? Participants will learn how to deal with reputation management during times of crisis. Pat focuses on what the news media expects of you; how to develop a plan for when a reporter calls; how to face reporters with confidence and make the most of media encounters. 9:15 am 10:30 am ONLINE REPUTATION MANAGEMENT Meewasin Room GEORGE LEITH, VP, Vendasta Technologies George Leith doesn t call himself an expert in digital media he s an interpreter. Specializing in digital strategy and implementation, George illustrates the importance of online reputation management and brand presence. George understands the necessity of adapting to new technology. He helps organizations make their virtual doorways as inviting as their brick and mortar entrances, which is crucial to the survival of a business. With nearly three decades of experience in marketing, sales and promotion, George is a highly compelling speaker, always in high demand across North America. Vital content and emphatic delivery are combined for an enlightening presentation. 10:30 am 10:45 am COFFEE BREAK 10:45 am 11:45 am SHHA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING William Pasco Room 11:00 am 4:00 pm HOTEL, BAR & RESTAURANT TRADE SHOW Convention Level Have lunch with the exhibitors and view the numerous products and services available for the accommodation and hospitality industry. Prize draws will take place at 3:30 pm. THE CONFERENCE CONCLUDES 11

12 A HISTORY of Online Travel Agents Jaret Waddell, COO Airline Hotels B ack in the 1950 s, airline carriers booked a huge amount of air travel over the telephone. The process was completely manual involving telephone agents in a call centre using a shared Rolodex. Things started to change in the 1960 s when IBM developed a computer booking system for American Airlines that allowed telephone agents to see airline ticket availability and book them through the use of teleprinters. The system was called SABRE. This change was completely revolutionary as agents could take reservations from any location all using the same central inventory of tickets This system was eventually expanded outside American Airlines to include all travel agents. Other airline carriers eventually developed competitor systems such as Galileo, Apollo, Amadeus, Worldspan and Pegasus. When we talk about these systems together, they are called Global Distribution Systems, or GDS. Soon after, SABRE had expanded to include the ability of travel agents to book other travel products for customers as well including hotel rooms. A new (and more expensive) way of getting our hotel room business was born as each GDS system charged a booking fee or pass through fee in addition to the regular travel agent commission. In 1996, Sabre introduced Travelocity and Microsoft founded Expedia. They were websites that were extensions of the GDS with the ability to book hotel, airline ticket and car rentals. Expedia was one of the first companies not directly linked to a single airline vendor (like Travelocity was) to provide this service. These websites are no longer dependant on one GDS, they are called, Online Travel Agents. Stay tuned for more in my next column in the summer edition of Hotel & Hospitality magazine. We will start to unravel the mystery of these systems and start taking a look at how we can use them to our advantage. THE COST of an Injury George Marshall, CEO Service & Hospitality Safety Assoc. T he Service and Hospitality Safety Association (SHSA) has been working with hoteliers for 20 years to help reduce injuries in the industry. Over the past six years in particular, the hotel industry in Saskatchewan has made great progress on both reducing the number of workplace injuries, as well as the costs associated with those injuries. In 2015, the average cost per time loss claim (an injury resulting in the worker being away beyond the day of injury) in the hotel industry was $4,021. Because of the hard work of hoteliers, that number has come down from over $5,500 in During that time the cost of health care and the number of health care providers seen by each injured worker have both increased. The $4,021 only accounts for the wage replacement of the injured worker and any medical care received. It does not account for covering shifts, training new workers, investigating the incident, or processing paperwork. How much do those other factors cost? Most estimates say somewhere between 4 and 20 times the direct cost of $4,021. That means you will spend, at a minimum, just over $20,000 for each injury claim. $20,000 could pay a minimum wage employee for over 1,900 hours of work that s almost 48 weeks! The reduction of just one injury could save you almost a year s wages for an entry level worker. The SHSA is committed to maintaining this trend of cost reduction and can work with you to both prevent injuries and mitigate the costs associated with those that occur. 12

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15 FOREIGN WORKER PROGRAM and Syrian Refugees Daniel Hirschkorn Saskatoon Immigration & Employment Consulting Services Inc. (SIECSI) A s you may be painfully aware, there have been vast changes implemented to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program in the last two years. As the Liberals are soon tabling a bill to revisit many of these changes, we are not sure yet how this program will change this year, but I can speak to some of what I ve seen for employers of foreign workers in the last year. Here s what we know: Employers only allowed 10% of their workforce to be Temporary Foreign Workers and this is strictly enforced, which few exceptions around size of company and wages offered. Labour Market Impact Assessment Applications (LMIAs) were not accepted in regions of high unemployment rate. Saskatchewan has no regions affected by this and let s hope it continues. The processing fee of $1000 per spot was certainly enforced, and while anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that LMIA submissions dropped significantly, processing times did not. This is a mystery still. Much attention has been focussed on the 25,000 Syrian refugees that the Liberal government promised to bring to Canada by the end of 2015 if elected. It was an impressive, and some would say improbable, undertaking, and at some point the new government realized it was not feasible. They did, I would suggest, the right thing by promptly admitting this to the Canadian public, and then proceeded to bring in the last refugee in February of this year. To date our province has welcomed just over 1000 Syrian refugees. A comprehensive overview can be found at While many of these refugees have settlement requirements that can be challenging, it is important to note that some of these new arrivals are in fact employment ready. If you are seeking hard workers, do yourself a favour and contact your local settlement agency, a list that can be found here- sk.ca/immigration/settlement-advisors/ While staffing challenges may have eased off slightly for some Saskatchewan employers, there are still needs to be met, and we can only expect these needs to increase with the upturn in the economy. The MOU signed by the SKHHA and Solomon Islands has created movement and we are now in discussions with the Consulate General to proceed with some test cases. MAXIMIZE Your Purchasing Power A n exciting new addition to the SHHA program is QUASEP, a group purchasing program designed specifically for the hospitality industry. At QUASEP, we believe in working collaboratively with our members and supplier partners to ensure we meet the evolving needs of the markets we serve. As a trusted purchasing program provider for our members, we are committed to making our members more successful (and more profitable) through the right mix of products and services, operational resources, and programs to help our members run their business more effectively. Join the over 2,500 restaurants and hotels who have experienced the benefits of being part of the QUASEP network - wide array of products & services, member rewards program (yes, members get cash rewards for qualified purchases), and superior service from a dedicated team. Call William Chan, QUASEP Account to sign up now! 15

16 SOLOMON ISLANDS Update I n October of 2015 The Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association (SHHA) entered into a historic agreement with the Solomon Islands Guadalcanal province. This unique arrangement between an industry association and the government of the Solomon Islands, was driven by the employment needs of both parties. This agreement facilitates the entry of recent graduates of the Solomon Islands Hospitality Program into Saskatchewan workplaces to gain valuable work experience in the hospitality industry. The SHHA will provide opportunities to graduates of the Hospitality Program from Guadalcanal Province to come to Canada in a temporary capacity to gain valuable experience in the tourism and service industry. This partnership has been made possible by Canadian International Training & Education Corp. (CITREC) which has been offering Canadian Tourism and Education training in partnership with the Province of Guadalcanal. We support The Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association and their members in recruiting employees for their growing industry, said Jeremy Harrison Minister responsible for Tourism Saskatchewan. The recent graduates from Guadalcanal will return to the Solomon Islands with experience in a tourism industry known all over the world for exceptional hospitality. Meanwhile, employer Jason Hobbis, Corporate Director Airlines Hotels says, it is important to Airlines Hotels that we work with all groups to fill vacancies and always welcome ways in which we can find people in an expedited way. He adds, We have 4 hotels in Saskatchewan and are very interested in the potential of this new program and the skilled associates it may provide. The Deputy Premier of Guadalcanal Province, Honourable Rollen Selleso says, This is a great Opportunity for the People of Guadalcanal Province. This agreement made possible by CITREC partnership is going to further strengthen bilateral relationship between Canada in particular government and people of Saskatchewan. A select few employers have been chosen to pilot the program and be the first to invite graduates to come and work in Saskatchewan on a temporary basis. Jim Bence, SHHA President & CEO says the SHHA very excited to have the Premier of Guadalcanal attend our conference in May and we hope that the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands will accept our invitation to visit in June. Our expectation is that the first graduates will arrive by late summer of SHHA ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP with hbi office plus inc. W The SHHA is very pleased to announce a partnership with hbi office plus whereby SHHA members receive a 65% discount on office supplies. For more detail, please see the advertisement in the enclosed member magazine. hbi office plus is extremely excited to begin this partnership with the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association. Their motto is Creating Customers for Life and they do this through hard work, superior customer service and building long lasting relationships with their customers and corporate partners. For Further information please

17 MEMBER NEWS WINSTON S PUB delivers authentic English experience SHHA Member Profile: Chris Beavis, Hotel Senator Owner O n any given day, you ll find a large crowd gathered at Winston s Pub in the Hotel Senator in Saskatoon. They come to enjoy the authentic English style pub experience by having a cold beer, satisfying their taste buds with a slice of Shepherd s Pie or a deep fried dill pickle, and catching up with friends. At Winston s Pub, we like to have fun, said Hotel Senator Owner Chris Beavis. We re centred around beer, but we also offer drinks such as martinis, cocktails and bourbon, an excellent food menu, and we round out the whole experience with themed menus to make it a pub for all ages. As Beavis explained, there s always been a beverage room in the Hotel Senator. The hotel was originally opened on April 17, 1908, by James Flanagan. While people thought he was crazy for building the hotel on the outskirts of town, the hotel ended up in the centre of the city as it has developed today. For the longest time, the drinking spot was simply known as the Senator Beverage Room. In 1967, Beavis father and uncle purchased the hotel and in 1980 changed the name of the establishment to Winston s Pub in an effort to recapture the boutique European hotel style the Hotel Senator once had. Through Winston s Pub, Beavis the family has been able to reestablish the pub as a place to bring people from the community together, much like in the olden days in England when pubs were the ultimate meeting spots for all types of cultures. People would go downtown to do their shopping and then visit the pub to catch up with friends. It s become essential; it s the most important part of the hotel and has really helped round out everything else we re doing here over the years, said Beavis, who took over as hotel manager in It has served as a focal point of the Hotel Senator, complementing Flangan s Steakhouse and our newer vintage wine bar. The success of Winston s helped us fix up our guest rooms and become and three-and-a-half-star property. 17

18 Winston s offers 72 taps of the best selections of craft beer from across the world and over 20 single malt scotches. Beavis noted that the pub has recently launched the 21st Street Brewery by Winston s, where it will be brewing small batches of beer. We re working collaboratively with other breweries across the province to brew some crazy and wild things, he said. Some will be garbage and go down the drain, and others will be more interesting styles that will appeal to people who want to be on the adventurous side. Led by its flagship establishment in Winston s Pub, the Hotel Senator has been able to both capture the hotel s glorious past while positioning itself to be prosperous in the future. The hotel is close to completing its newly renovated guest rooms and has already completed significant wifi enchantments by placing a mini router in each room. In keeping with tradition, Beavis has also ensured that the Hotel Senator remains involved with the Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association (SHHA). He said his family has been involved with the SHHA since the early 50s and he even has an old hotel association picture with his parents in it. Being a member of the SHHA gives you a sense of community, Beavis said. You help each other out with buying efforts and lobbying with the government. You can also get together and just disucss common interests like hotel, food and beverage and liquor trends. It s definitely advantageous to be a member and certainly a tradition I wanted to keep. David Stewart Market Manager SK / MB Nicholas Mazurak Area Sales Manager MB / SK Cell: david.stewart@molsoncoors.com 18 Cell: nick.mazurak@molsoncoors.com

19 DELTA BESSBOROUGH The Delta Bessborough, with its heritage status, is the only 4-diamond hotel in Saskatoon. It features 225 guestrooms, over 18,000 square feet in meeting space, an indoor salt water pool, sauna, steam bath, and hot tub. You can dine at the Garden Court Café, Samurai Japanese Restaurant, Stovin s Lounge, or Metric Garden the Bess (seasonal). The fitness centre is open 24-hours and the Delta Bessborough is the only hotel in Saskatoon with a full-service day spa, which is conveniently located in the hotel lobby. PHONE HOTEL SASKATCHEWAN The Hotel Saskatchewan is joining the ranks of some of the most remarkable hotels in the world as a member of the Autograph Collection Marriott International s exclusive portfolio of properties. It is an honour reserved for hotels that are original, rich in character and offer a one-of-a-kind experience. Built in 1927 by the Canadian Pacific Railway, it elegantly stands as a testament to the province s strength of character, and has hosted an incredible list of VIPs, ranging from global dignitaries to red carpet celebrities. PHONE TURN YOUR POINTS OR MILES INTO REWARDING EXPERIENCES. For more information about Rewarding Events, visit MarriottRewards.com/RewardingEvents

20 CONVENTION 2016 MAY 12 & 13, 2016 DELTA BESSBOROUGH HOTEL SASKATOON Call (306) to book a room with rates starting at $ a night. Mention the group name Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association Rate expires on April 12. Print Name(s) Business Name Town/City BUY 2 AND RECEIVE 3 $ (Includes GST) = Total Registration REGISTER NOW! Mail this registration information and cheque to: Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association # Broad Street, Regina, SK S4P 1Y3 or fax: or info@skhha.com $5 FROM EVERY REGISTRATION WILL BE DONATED TO THE CHILDREN S HOSPITAL FOUNDATION To learn more, visit