5 Reasons Why You Can't Miss the 2015 Hotel Association of Canada's National Conference TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2015 While the plunging price of oil puts more money into the pockets of the average consumer, 2015 promises to be a challenging year for the tourism industry as consumers try to figure out whether their cheap gas will come at the expense of the economy. Stakeholders will once again look to the Hotel Association of Canada for advice and guidance on how to position themselves for the year ahead as they gather at the 100-year-old association's annual conference on February 2-3 at the Hilton Toronto Hotel. The association, which represents more than 8,500 hotels, motels and resorts in Canada's $16.7 billion lodging industry, will offer invaluable insight to the trends that will shape the year ahead. Here are five reasons you can't miss the 2015 Hotel Association of Canada's National Conference. The future, now: Few business leaders can offer the depth of insight provided by Sean Moffitt, the managing director of Wikibrands. He'll delve into 30 of the most pragmatic ideas you need to understand over the next 12 months if you're going to be successful. Storytelling and transparency are at the core of his talks that inspire action. Survey says: This annual session is a snapshot into the Hotel Association of Canada's Travel Intentions Survey. Get a glimpse into potential business volumes for 2015, get a head's up on possible challenges and find out how to book more business for your hotel in the year ahead. Innovation 101: There's a lot to learn from the world's most innovative companies. Douglas Stephens, founder of Retail Profit and a leading market researcher, will give an inspiring talk about the surprising links between the world's most successful businesses and provide plenty of tips on how others can emulate their success. Millennials: It's time to take millennials seriously. This digital generation is notoriously hard to reach, despite their near-constant use of technology to communicate and their voracious online appetites. Find out how to win them over. The Bottom Line: No profit, no hotel. Find out what it takes to find success in any economy, as experts provide insight into the real day-to-day decisions managers make that affect the long-term sustainability of any operation. For more information on attending the HAC Conference, review the program and register. www.hacconference.ca Orie Berlasso Managing Director Big Picture Conferences Inc

1. CONFERENCE PROGRAM
FEB 2+3, 2015 HILTON TORONTO HOTEL
AM BREAKBREAKFAST COFFEE DELEGATE BAGS LANYARDS
PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
SAVE THE DATES!
HUMANITARIAN
AWARD WINNER:
GREEN KEY MEETING
AWARD WINNER:
SPONSORED BY
Rewarding Strong
Industry Standards
TITLE SPONSOR
Presentation by
Lindsay Culbreath
STR (Smith Travel Research)
HAC’s Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence program was developed in 2004 with the
purpose of recognizing those of its members (individuals, companies, properties) that have
demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment
to Canada’s lodging industry. The Human Resources, Humanitarian, Green Key Meeting
(NEW!) and Green Key Energy & Environment Awards will be presented throughout the day.
Congratulations to this year’s winners!
NEW!
HUMAN RESOURCES
AWARD WINNER:
GREEN KEY ENERGY
& ENVIRONMENT
AWARD WINNERS:
SPONSORED BY
&
TITLE SPONSOR HUMANITARIAN AWARD
SPONSOR
GREEN KEY ENVIRONMENT
AWARD SPONSOR
HAC HALL OF FAME AWARDS
#HAC2015#HAC2015
SESSION
SILVER
BRONZE
“the essense of hospitality management”
HOTELCAPITALCONNECT.CA
DATE & TORONTO LOCATION TBD
HOTEL-RESORTINVEST.CA
OCT19-20, 2015
HYATT REGENCY VANCOUVERCHIC
CRIS HCCHCC
HOTELINVEST.CA
MAY 4-5, 2015
HILTON TORONTO HOTEL
RESTAURANTINVEST.CA
MAY 5-6, 2015
HILTON TORONTO HOTEL
BigPictureConferences.caHACCONFERENCE.CA

2. TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2015
7:00am–8:30am
CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST
FOYER
8:30am–9:00am
OPENING REMARKS
TORONTO BALLROOM
Philippe Gadbois HAC
12:45pm–12:55pm
TORONTO BALLROOM
HAC Lifetime Achievement
Award Presentation to...
10:00am–10:15am
TORONTO BALLROOM
10 TECH TRENDS IMPACTING HOTELIERS
Walid Salem SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts
3:15pm–3:30pm
TORONTO BALLROOM
10 TIPS TO SAVE A HOTEL MONEY
BY BEING GREEN
Jeff White The Westin Ottawa
SPONSORED BY
#HAC2015 HACCONFERENCE.CA
SPONSORED BY
10:15am–10:45am
COFFEE BREAK
FOYER
2:45pm–3:15pm
COFFEE BREAK
FOYER
10:45am–11:45am WORKSHOPS
1:45pm–2:45pm WORKSHOPS
B1 BEST PRACTICES FOR
ONLINE SALES
JOHNSTON
Learn how hotel owners and operators can
best leverage the OTA’s and Media Companies
to complement their strategy while driving
incremental room nights and revenue.
MODERATOR
Vito Curalli Hilton Worldwide
SPEAKERS
Reetu Gupta Easton’s Group of Hotels
Jason Sarracini TravelZoo
Susan Spinney Expedia
Lise Struwing Eaton Chelsea Toronto Hotel
B2 WHAT MAKES A
HOTEL PROFITABLE? 10
OPERATIONAL TECHNIQUES
FOR SUCCESS
CARMICHAEL/ JACKSON
Yield Management, Sales Management,
Budget and Business Plan Preparation all
affect the operating success for a hotel.
This panel of industry experts provide strategic
counselling and suggestions to help improve
the hotel operations.
MODERATOR
David Larone PKF Consulting
SPEAKERS
Scott Allison Marriott Hotels of Canada
Philippe Gadbois Atlific Hotels
Mike Jackson Easton’s Group of Hotels
Didier Obeuf Groupe Germain Hotels
Robert Pratt Coast Hotels
B3 HAC TRAVEL
INTENTIONS SURVEY
TOM THOMSON
This annual session looks at potential
business volumes for 2015, opportunities/
challenges and some conclusions on how to
book more business in your hotel.
SPEAKER
Linda Hartwell HAC
A2 DRIVING BETTER REVENUE &
POWERING YOUR RM CULTURE
CARMICHAEL/ JACKSON
‘Total Revenue Management’ and how a couple
of easy steps can be taken to help in the quest
for this illusive prize regardless of where you are
in the journey. Think forecast performance not
just forecast accuracy!
SPEAKER
James Ruttley IDeaS
A3 SALES 2.0
JOHNSTON
Customers’ expectations have evolved in terms of
how they want to be engaged and communicated
to during the buying process. Know how to
leverage technology, be innovative and move
beyond selling “rates, dates and space.”
MODERATOR
Tammy Gillis Gillis Consulting & Training Inc.
SPEAKERS
Nancy Johnson Jonview Canada
Sharlene Ketwaroo-Nanoo Canadian Tire
Laura Pallotta Delta Hotels and Resorts
Mark Sergot FRHI Hotels & Resorts
A1 THE MILLENNIAL CONSUMER
TOM THOMSON
Born digital, Millennials are the “always on”
generation. They are leading conversations brands
want to be part of. They may be the largest target,
but they are also the most elusive. In just over
10 years, Millennials will make up 50% of the world’s
workforce—meaning they will be the highest-
spending generation in history. In a study of 4000
interviews which included 2000 millennials,
Ted Langschmidt, has looked into great detail
regarding “The Why of Y”.
SPEAKER
Ted Langschmidt
Qi Value Systems Inc.
SESSION SPONSORED BY
1:30pm–1:45pm
TORONTO BALLROOM
10 TIPS FOR RECRUITING &
RETAINING TOP TALENT
Bill Pallett Delta Hotels and Resorts
11:45am–12:45pm
NETWORKING LUNCH
FOYER
SESSION SPONSORED BY
4:00pm–5:00pm
TORONTO BALLROOM
FUTURE-PROOFING
YOUR HOTEL BRAND.
30 OF THE BEST BUSINESS-DRIVING,
PRAGMATIC IDEAS TO EXECUTE
OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS
Sean Moffitt Managing Director, Wikibrands
HACKEYNOTE #2
5:00pm–5:15pm
CLOSING REMARKS
TORONTO BALLROOM
Philippe Gadbois HAC
BIG PICTURE CONFERENCES
VIEWS THE PRODUCTION
OF GREEN MEETINGS AS
A BUSINESS IMPERATIVE.
By using Enviro100 Satin
Paper, we are saving: 2,404
L of Water = 7 days of water
consumption > 44 kgs of
Waste > 146 kgs of C02 from
entering the atmosphere =
to driving 976 kms > 1GJ of
Energy = to 4,593 x 60W light
bulbs burning in 1 hour > 1 kg
of NOx = the emissions of
1 truck during 2 days
9:00am–10:00am
TORONTO BALLROOM
LESSONS FROM THE
WORLD’S MOST INNOVATIVE
COMPANIES
In a world where mediocre will no longer cut it, what are
the common strengths that the world’s most dominant
brands bring to market? How exactly do top companies
innovate to create uncontested market space?
Most importantly, what pitfalls do great innovators avoid
that most others fall into?
Doug Stephens
Founder, Retail Prophet
HACKEYNOTE #1 SESSION SPONSORED BY
3:30pm–4:00pm
TORONTO
BALLROOM
GREEN KEY MEETING
AWARD PRESENTATION
Congratulations to
The Westin Ottawa
GREEN KEY ENERGY &
ENVIRONMENT AWARD
PRESENTATION
It’s a TIE! Congratulations to both
Bellstar Hotels & Resorts and
InterContinental Hotels Group
NEW!
TITLE SPONSOR
SPONSORED BY
HAC HALL OF FAME
12:55pm–1:30pm
TORONTO
BALLROOM
HUMANITARIAN
AWARD PRESENTATION
Congratulations to
The Westin Calgary
HUMAN RESOURCES
AWARD PRESENTATION
Congratulations to
Campus Tower Suite Hotel
Edmonton
TITLE SPONSOR
HAC HALL OF FAME
SPONSORED BY
Michael Beckley
Senior Vice President
of Lodging Development,
Marriott Hotels
and Resorts Canada