albertahospitality The Official Magazine of the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association GUESTROOM DESIGN TRENDS Talking TECH CULINARY Tourism Luring LEISURE GROUPS PM40026059 Fall 2014 Give your towels and linens a Five-Star Finish while boosting production With Continental Laundry Systems, your hotel will • Extend linen life by reducing fiber loss Five-Star • Process more laundry per hour per employee Finish • Reduce gas consumption and water usage • Provide a higher quality product to your guests Continental Laundry Systems can contribute to LEED® certification. CALL TODAY! 888-326-2222 • 780-468-3127 www.coronetequipment.com 8112-46 Street • Edmonton, AB T6B 2M8 Give your towels and linens a Five-Star Finish while boosting production With Continental Laundry Systems, your hotel will albertahospitality • Extend linen life by reducing fiber loss Five-Star • Process more laundry per hour per employee Finish • Reduce gas consumption and water usage • Provide a higher quality product to your guests Photo courtesy of the Kensington Riverside Inn this issue GUESTROOM DESIGN TRENDS When building new properties and renovating existing spaces, hoteliers across the industry spectrum are displaying 6 dazzling creativity while keeping the comfort of their guests at the forefront of their design choices. Cover photo courtesy of Azuridge 12 Talking Tech 16 Profile: Paradise Inn & Suites, Redwater 18 Culinary Tourism in every issue 22 Future Solutions to the Labour Crisis 22 Edmonton Tourism Leads the New 4 Chairman’s Report Way of Promoting Tourism in Edmonton 5 President & CEO’s Message 10 Travel Alberta 24 Luring Leisure Groups 15 Alberta’s Treasures 29 Changes in the Online Marketplace 23 HR Matters Continental Laundry Systems can contribute to LEED® certification. CALL TODAY! 28 Names in the News 30 What’s New? 888-326-2222 • 780-468-3127 30 AHLA’s Programs www.coronetequipment.com 8112-46 Street • Edmonton, AB T6B 2M8 CHAIRMAN’S REPORT New Leadership for Alberta by Steven Watters alberta hospitality As I write this, we are nearing a provincial Progressive Conservative leadership election. foreign workers are wondering what their fate The Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association Official magazine of will be, and managers in communities large (AHLA) understands the importance of and small are searching for a miracle that will building and maintaining a relationship with bring new workers to their area. government to better represent our industry. INSPIRING SERVICE, GROWING VALUE By the time you read this issue of Alberta As collectors and beneficiaries of Tourism Hospitality, Albertans will have elected a new Levy dollars, hoteliers are deeply invested AHLA Progressive Conservative leader. in the future of Alberta’s tourism industry. 2707 Ellwood Drive, The Government of Alberta has a target of Edmonton AB, T6X 0P7 The AHLA reached out to all three candidates Toll Free: 1.888.436.6112 $10.3 billion in revenue from tourism by 2020. to discuss issues that matter to our members. www.ahla.ca To reach this target, the AHLA is a strong Unfortunately, we were unable to coordinate advocate for alignment and accountability CHAIR OF THE BOARD a meeting with Ric McIver. However, we were Steven Watters of Tourism Levy expenditures along the way. able to meet with Thomas Lukaszuk and Also, we must recognize the labour shortage FIRST VICE CHAIR Jim Prentice. Not surprisingly, much of the Perry Batke will impact the tourism industry’s overall dialogue surrounded the Temporary Foreign growth. VICE CHAIRS Worker Program (TFWP), labour, and tourism. Leanne Shaw-Brotherston Leadership candidates’ time is in high Tina Tobin We introduced the idea of collaborating with demand, and we genuinely appreciated their the federal government to create a Hotel and PAST CHAIR desire to understand the challenges and Perry Wilford Lodging Worker Program. This program would opportunities facing hoteliers. Your board of offset seasonal labour shortages in resort PRESIDENT & CEO directors is working hard to represent our Dave Kaiser areas. Beyond this, it would address long- members’ perspectives and concerns, as they term labour challenges in areas experiencing DIRECTORS NORTH are crucial in strengthening and enhancing Amir Awad strong economic growth, low unemployment, Alberta’s economy. Alberta’s next Premier George Marine and barriers to labour mobility. Peter Parmar must seek solutions to our province’s labour Members of the AHLA’s board shared real life challenges and ensure the tourism industry DIRECTORS CENTRAL stories with both candidates and expressed can effectively contribute to our provincial Perry Batke Shazma Charania our grave concerns about pending labour economy. Moving forward, we are eager to Robin Cumine shortages resulting from changes to the work with the new Premier to support the Karen Naylor Tina Tobin TFWP - concerns that escalate daily. Many continued growth of tourism in Alberta. DIRECTORS SOUTH Chris Barr Cory Haggar Dwayne Stratton Alberta Hospitality is published quarterly by: PUBLICATIONS T 604-574-4577 1-800-667-0955 F 604-574-2196 [email protected] Click www.emcmarketing.com Publisher & Editor - Joyce Hayne Copy Editor - Debbie Minke & Read Design & Layout - Krysta Furioso PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT NO. 40026059 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANADIAN ADDRESSES TO CIRCULATION DEPT EMC PUBLICATIONS 19073 63 AVE albertahospitality SURREY BC V3S 8G7 email: [email protected] See archives of Alberta Hospitality online at ahla.ca PRESIDENT & CEO’S MESSAGE TFWP Reforms by Dave Kaiser The major reforms for the Temporary Foreign July 1, 2014 and 20% effective July 1, 2015. We Worker Program (TFWP), announced on are aware of many AHLA members who are June 20, are causing tremendous hardship currently above the 30% target. In essence, reflect the labour market realities in many for many AHLA members. The timing and these employers no longer have access to the regions in Alberta and will have unintended suddenness of the announced changes could TFWP to fill job vacancies. consequences. These may include operators not have been worse for many operators who curtailing hours of operations or cutting back Another consequence of the reforms includes on services. Some businesses may close and were gearing up for a busy summer tourist access to the Alberta Immigrant Nominee season. new businesses will not open, even when Program (AINP). Over the past several years, there is strong demand for their products and The reforms severely reduce access to the many TFWs have successfully transitioned services. program and raise costs for employers. The to become permanent residents through new, more onerous, Labour Market Impact the AINP. Many remain in jobs and with As industry, we have no choice but to adapt Assessment (LMIA) has replaced the Labour employers who originally hired them as TFWs and look for other long-term solutions. The Market Opinion (LMO) process. Fees for the - effectively creating a permanent foreign AHLA is currently working with Olds College program increased significantly - from $275 worker solution for our industry. Recent to build a “flagship hospitality program” for for a LMO to $1,000 for a LMIA - and the work AINP statistics indicate a two-year supply of Alberta. One of the goals of the initiative permit was reduced to one year. pending applications, based on the number would be to engage young people in our of certificates allocated annually to Alberta industry through a “dual credit” program in Perhaps most problematic is the new 10% high school. Check out the article “Future cap imposed on the number of TFWs, as a by the federal government. The new one-year permit for the TFWP does not allow enough Solutions to the Labour Crisis” on page 22 to proportion of the workforce at each worksite. learn more. Employers are allowed 2 years to reach this processing time for a new AINP application. cap with phased-in targets of 30% effective Clearly, the reforms to the TFWP do not We look forward to serving you! alberta hospitality | 5 COVER STORY GUESTROOM DESIGN TRENDS Unique Statements and High-End Comfort Top the List by Carol Schram When building new properties and renovating existing spaces, hoteliers across the industry spectrum are displaying dazzling creativity while keeping the comfort of their guests at the forefront of their design choices. 6 | alberta hospitality Photo courtesy of Kensington Riverside Inn GUESTROOM DESIGN TRENDS Photo courtesy of Aloft Calgary University “As designers, we’re faced with the challenge of making guests feel at home with their residential comforts, yet providing a challenging visual experience,” says James McIntyre of McIntyre Bills, who oversaw the redesign of Azuridge in Priddis. “You want to stimulate and excite your guests at the same time that you want to relax them.” Wide Open Spaces “We’re about being sassy, savvy, sexy, and on-trend,” summarizes Managing Director Farrah Bhanji of Aloft Calgary University, which opened in April. “Our rooms were designed with a lot of open space.” Aloft’s loft-inspired guestrooms feature nine-foot ceilings, large windows for lots of natural light, and a spacious, clutter-free design. The principal feature is the signature Aloft platform bed with plush bedding, complemented by a large workspace with an ergonomic chair. A clean, open design is also the hallmark of the Holiday Inn Express in Spruce Grove, newly opened in September. “We weren’t satisfied with the standard cookie-cutter guestroom,” explains General Manager Jon Sholter. “We wanted to add a modern flare to the design.” Aiming to create great-looking guest rooms that will stand up to We’re about being sassy, savvy, the wear and tear of everyday use, Holiday Inn Express combined sexy, and on-trend. modern furnishings that are functional, but not bulky, with touches like hardwood floor plank ceramic tiles at the entrance to each room. The tile breaks up the space aesthetically and helps to keep the room cleaner. { alberta hospitality | 7 GUESTROOM DESIGN TRENDS Designer James McIntyre was tasked with executing the gem concept while creating an inviting feel for guests.