Lively election campaign at SHHA’s 2010 convention

SASKATOON—While this year’s HOST Saskatchewan tradeshow had a somewhat disappointing turnout due to the recession, the Saskatchewan Hotel & Hospitality Association annual general meeting at their convention was the liveliest in recent memory, according to SHHA president and CEO Tom Mullin.

An aerial view of the HOST Saskatchewan Tradeshow

That’s because there was an election campaign on to replace outgoing chairman Lance Grosco, who had held the position for three years. In the end, Greg Lowe of Coleville, SK beat out Larry Bozek, a retiring SHHA director from the Southshore Motor Lodge, Wynyard, SK.

“Both directors were campaigning, and the meeting was well-attended and thought provoking,” Mullin said.

Both events took place in Saskatoon March 14-15.

Retiring directors Bozek and Denis McKnight were honoured at the Chairman’s dinner.

Five students received $1,000 scholarships at the Awards Breakfast on March 15: William Davis, Shauna MacLaurin, Haley Buswell, Alyssa Byrns and Samaya Katzman. Support for these awards comes from money raised at the SHHA’s annual golf tournament. The tournament, to be held August 30 at Deer Valley Golf Course near Regina, is appropriately titled “Golf Fore Hospitality.”

The breakfast also honoured more than 50 people with long service awards, including Dan Cardinal, guest services attendant at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel in Saskatoon, who has been there for more than 40 years.

Liquor inequities a major issue

SHHA has started discussions with the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) about inequities in beer prices for operators of hotel off sales, a major component of business for many Saskatchewan hoteliers.

In 1993, they negotiated a discount schedule for beer based on a dollar amount. Now, 17 years later, the price of beer has gone up dramatically, from about $9/dozen to $20/dozen. This means the dollar amount is not nearly the discount it used to be.

SHHA would like to see the discount pegged to a percentage.

“Beer is the lifeblood of all 490 off sales in the province, says Mullin, adding that even though Saskatchewan as a whole is doing well, there are rural pockets of the province that are just getting by.

Tony Pollard of the Hotel Association of Canada was on hand to update SHHA members of the status of Bill S-226, which would limit video lottery terminals to larger gaming establishments such as casinos, race courses and betting theatres.

This is not nearly the volatile issue it was a year ago at the SHHA convention, thanks to a successful campaign by the HAC, SHHA, Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association and Manitoba Hotel Association. Their letter-writing and lobbying campaign opened a lot of eyes regarding the importance of gaming to the hospitality industry in parts of the three provinces, Mullin noted.

Office reorganization

The SHHA has reorganized its office responsibilities following the retirement of longtime employee Lorane Gray. Warren Nerby is now membership and marketing co-ordinator.

“Warren had been active on some of our programs, and he has an advertising sales background. We have expanded his responsibilities,” said Mullin.