Chef David Adjey, Peter Yesawich keynotes at Centrex

WINNIPEG—Chef David Adjey, Jeremy Gutsche, founder of Trendhunter.com, and Ypartnership chairman and CEO Peter Yesawich shared guest speaker duties at the 2009 Manitoba Tourism Conference.  The combined trade show and conference is part of Centrex, held in late April, and put on by the Manitoba Hotel Association and the Manitoba Restaurant and Foodservices Association.

read more

Clean, clever, efficient design builds on Motel 6 experience

TORONTO—A year after it unveiled a sleek, functional design for its Motel 6 economy hotels, Accor North America has come up with a similar design for Studio 6, its sister brand for the economy extended stay segment. And although current Canadian interest is in conversion of existing properties into Studio 6s, Irwin Prince, president of Realstar Hospitality, Canadian franchisor for the brands, sees great opportunities for the new prototype starting next year. 

read more

SLGA hikes its liquor fines

REGINA—Increased fines for violations and mandatory wine bottle recorking are among recent changes to Saskatchewan’s liquor laws. Under the new rules from the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA), customers can leave a restaurant with a partially consumed wine bottle, provided it is completely sealed with a new cork by staff.

read more

Being green is part of Fairmont DNA

TORONTO—”Being green is really part of our DNA and it’s something that our colleagues across the world have really embraced.” So says Sarah Dayboll, manager of environmental affairs for the 56-property Fairmont Hotels and Resorts. Fairmont has been in the environmental game since 1990, and its Green Partnership program often serves as a model for competing hotel companies and associations.

read more

Greening Windsor hotels with new ORHMA pilot project

WINDSOR, ON—Hospitality industry leaders in Windsor are going to be seeing some green despite the down-turn in the economy. EnWin Utilities is introducing Green Suites, a pilot energy conservation incentive program for hotels and motels this summer. With hoteliers seeking ways to reduce overhead costs as they are confronted with lower occupancy rates and higher fixed costs, green practices afford some relief from the negative impact of the current recession.

read more