Wednesday, November 5th, 2025

Hyatt Regency Vancouver

*Note:  All times Pacific Time (PT)

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm 
Opening Reception
Location: Regency Ballroom
 

 

Sponsored by

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Hyatt Regency Vancouver

*Note:  All times Pacific Time (PT)

 
 
7:45 am – 9:00 am
 
 
Networking Breakfast and Tradeshow
Location: Regency Foyer
 
Sponsored by
9:00 am – 9:15 am
Opening Remarks 
Location: Regency Ballroom
Stephanie Gadbois
Stephanie Gadbois
Executive Vice President
Big Picture Conferences

BCHA Update
Location: Regency Ballroom
Paul Hawes
Paul Hawes
President & CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association

9:15 am – 10:00 am
Western Canada Hotel Performance & Investment Trends 
Here Comes the Sun
Location: Regency Ballroom
 
Western Canada’s hotel market continues to show impressive resilience. This sharp and practical session covers key performance results, standout transactions, and highlights active capital flows across the country. Discover which asset types hold long-term value, and which local and regional markets are best positioned for future growth and new supply. 
 
Speakers:
Greg Kwong
Greg Kwong
Regional Managing Director
CBRE Limited

Carrie Russell
Carrie Russell
Senior Managing Partner
HVS

Sponsored by
10:00 am – 10:45 am
Inside the West’s Iconic Resorts   
Strawberry Fields Forever
Location: Regency Ballroom
 

Western Canada’s resorts are both stunning and resilient. Hear from leaders behind some of the region’s most enduring properties as they discuss staying competitive amid natural events, shifting labour realities, renovation cycles, and fierce global competition. 

 
Speakers:
Jordan Bell
Jordan Bell
Vice President, Operations
Pursuit Banff Jasper Collection

Ryan Laurie
Ryan Laurie
SVP Investments & Strategic Partnerships
Pomeroy Inn & Suites Inc.

Cindy Schoenauer
Cindy Schoenauer
Senior Vice President
Cushman & Wakefield

Sponsored by
10:45 am – 11:15 am
Networking Coffee Break and Tradeshow
Location: Regency Foyer
 
Sponsored by
11:15 am – 12:00 pm
Hotel Demand in Motion: Morphing Guest Travel Patterns  
Day Trippers Expand Their Horizons
Location: Regency Ballroom
 
Hotel demand remains strong, but the traveler has changed. This session explores how domestic, regional, and cross-border demand patterns are shifting—by geography, segment, and purpose of travel. Expect actionable insights for tailoring strategy in an evolving market. 
 
Moderator:
Tim Reardon
Tim Reardon
Regional Vice President, Western Canada
Marriott International

Panelists:
Rebecca Godfrey
Rebecca Godfrey
Senior Vice President
CBRE Limited

Rod Taylor
Rod Taylor
Chief Executive Officer
Legacy Tourism Group

Sponsored by
12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
Western Canadian Economic Outlook: Navigating Uncertainty  
Get Back to Where We'd Like to Be
Location: Regency Ballroom
 
An expert-led review will assess Western Canada and the Nation’s current and anticipated economic climate. Gain insight into the forces shaping Western provincial performance, from energy and inter-provincial trade policy to labor and inflation. Learn where the opportunities and risks lie in 2025 and beyond—critical context for every decision-maker.
 
Speaker:
Robert Embree
Robert Embree
Vice President & Senior Economist
Rosenberg Research

Sponsored by

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking Lunch and Tradeshow
Location: Regency Foyer
 
Sponsored by
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
AHLA Update
Location: Regency Ballroom
Tracy Douglas
Tracy Douglas
President & CEO
Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm
The Brand Debate: Whose Flag Will Fly the Highest?
Love, Love Me Do - Have I Got a Brand for You
Location: Regency Ballroom
 

In this lively, fast-paced debate, leading hotel companies go head-to-head to pitch and defend their newest brands. You’ll hear their best cases—then vote on the most compelling. It’s all in good fun, but with valuable takeaways about brand positioning and market appeal. 

 
Moderator:
Ian McAuley
Ian McAuley
Executive Director
JAM Asset Management Ltd.

Panelists:
Geoffrey Beckett
Geoffrey Beckett
Canadian Director of Development
Best Western International

Duncan Chiu
Duncan Chiu
Vice President, Lodging Development, Western Canada
Marriott International

Jeff Cury
Jeff Cury
Senior Director Development, Canada
Hilton

Anto Vrdoljak
Anto Vrdoljak
Director of Development-Canada
IHG Hotels & Resorts

Sponsored by
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Networking Coffee Break and Tradeshow
Location: Regency Foyer
 
Sponsored by
3:30 pm – 3:45 pm
HAC Update
Location: Regency Ballroom
Beth McMahon
Beth McMahon
President & CEO
Hotel Association of Canada

Adrienne Foster
Adrienne Foster
VP Policy and Public Affairs
Hotel Association of Canada

3:45 pm – 4:30 pm
The State of Hotel Capital: Deals, Debt & Renovation Financing
With a Little Help from My Friends
Location: Regency Ballroom
 
Capital is available—but are stakeholders aligned? This session brings together owners, lenders, and operators to share current expectations and recent experiences. Learn how renovations are being financed, what underwriting looks like today, and how to align interests across the capital stack. 
 
Moderator:
David Ferguson
David Ferguson
Director, Development
Coast Hotels

Panelists:
Mahesh Hathiramani
Mahesh Hathiramani
Founder
Days Hospitality Limited

Amina Valli-Hasham
Amina Valli-Hasham
Associate Director, Western Canada
Roynat Capital

Stephen Vermette
Stephen Vermette
Managing Director
Bank of Montreal

Sponsored by
4:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Final Remarks
Location: Regency Ballroom
Stephanie Gadbois
Stephanie Gadbois
Executive Vice President
Big Picture Conferences