First Host Saskatchewan a rousing success story

SASKATOON—The 1st HOST Saskatchewan Conference and Trade Show was by all accounts a huge success and when the final analysis is done in late May, there will be plenty of reasons to give the go ahead to begin planning the show for next year.
The Saskatchewan Hotel and Hospitality Association, in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan and the Saskatchewan Outfitters Association, produced the three day show which took place in Saskatoon at TCU Place April 20-21. The trade show drew a record 110 exhibitors and 128 booths.
 
“Throughout the conference, delegates and guests on several occasions commented on why they thought this inaugural conference took a giant step forward for all three organizations,” said president and CEO Tom Mullin in the association’s May newsletter.

“The quality of the business sessions available to delegates; the superb catering at TCU Place and the Hilton Garden Inn and our guest speakers Eric Peterson from Corner Gas and astronaut Dr. Dafydd Williams really elevated the stature of the conference.”

During the SHHA Annual General Meeting, delegates voted in favour of a resolution approving the restructuring of the Board of Directors. The resolution dealt with abolishing the current 13 districts and the creation of 6 new zones.

As well, the new board seats were created for representation from various groups within the hospitality industry. To provide continuity on the board during the transition period, delegates approved a proposal where directors who are currently on the board will fill the newly created zones. There will be elections held in 2009 for the South West and South East zones. In 2010, elections will take place for the West Central and East Central zones and in 2011, elections will be held for the North West and North East zones.

The conference also honoured a number of students with awards:

Recipients of the $1000 SHHA Scholarship Awards included: Amber Meszaros – George G. Grant Scholarship Award; Erin Beattie – J.R. Freestone Scholarship Award; Jocelyn Lytle – SHHA Bursary Award; Amanda Whitter – SHHA President’s Award; Karen Peters – SHHA Directors’ Award and Carolyn Memory – Sheraton Cavalier Award.
During his speech at the opening of the SHHA AGM, Mullin outlined the process leading up to the first Host Saskatchewan conference.

“The planning for this convention began back in September when Carol Lumb, then acting CEO of Tourism Saskatchewan called me and asked if I would attend an exploratory meeting with her and the Saskatchewan Outfitters Association,” Mullin said.

“Tourism Saskatchewan was interested in a joint convention and trade show with the three organizations coming together to unite the hospitality and tourism industry. The three boards approved the concept and Host Saskatchewan was born.”

Mullin also pointed out that The Conference Board of Canada is suggesting that Saskatchewan will have a critical shortage of workers as early as 2010 because of an aging demographic and an improved economy which will fuel competition amongst employers.

“Again, the association has been taking the lead in approaching the two levels of government, on behalf of the industry, to make the necessary changes for an effective immigration policy.”