Wednesday, October 28th, 2026

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver

*Note:  All times Pacific Time (PT)

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm 
Opening Reception
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom Foyer
 

 

Sponsored by

Thursday, October 29th, 2026

The Westin Bayshore Vancouver

*Note:  All times Pacific Time (PT)

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

9:15 am – 10:00 am
The Western Canadian Hotel Outlook: Where the West Invests Next
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
 
Tariff mania, separation anxiety, booming Alberta mountain visitation, softer Edmonton results and a bubbling B.C. hotel sector are all reshaping business and travel. There is a lot happening in this half of the country, and economic and geopolitical forces will either enhance or challenge hotel performance over the next 12 months.
 

Global capital flows and travel patterns have also been disrupted potentially leaving Western Canada well positioned to benefit. Hear the latest on economic growth, consumer spending, hotel performance and hotel and resort transaction activity as we approach 2027.

Carrie Russell
Carrie Russell
Senior Managing Partner
HVS

Greg Kwong
Greg Kwong
Regional Managing Director
CBRE Limited

Sponsored by
10:00 am – 10:30 am
Western Canada’s Road Ahead: An Economic Outlook
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
 
What will shape Western Canada’s economy in 2027? From interest rates and inflation to population growth, housing, labour markets, trade and consumer confidence, a range of forces are influencing the region’s next chapter. Get a clear view of the economic trends, opportunities and challenges ahead, and how the changing economic environment could impact business and hospitality across the West.
Bryan Yu
Bryan Yu
Chief Economist
Central 1 Credit Union

10:30 am – 11:15 am
The Money: Every Layer of Capital Has a Price and an Opinion
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
 

Debt is increasingly available across the hotel and resort spectrum. Pricing, leverage, covenant flexibility and lender appetite have improved following a prolonged period of restraint. But capital still comes with conditions: a cogent business plan, proper staffing, meaningful equity and a proven track record.

This comprehensive session will cover senior debt and loan modifications, preferred equity, and mezzanine financing.

Hear the good, the bad and the promising.

Rhonda Holland
Rhonda Holland
CFO
MasterBuilt Hotels Ltd.

Roy Dias
Roy Dias
Head, Industry Verticals
Bank of Montreal

Jiri Rumlena
Jiri Rumlena
President
SilverBirch Hotels & Resorts

Winston Shariff
Winston Shariff
National Director
Roynat Capital

11:15 am – 11:45 am
Networking Coffee Break and Tradeshow
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom 
 
Sponsored by
11:45 am – 12:30 pm
Timing Is Everything: Buy, Build or Wait?
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
 

Growth opportunities are everywhere but how do you choose between building new, buying and improving, or converting an existing property?

Three real world transactions will be compared, revealing the value potential, financial logic and vulnerabilities of each approach.

After all, it’s only money, and the math.

David Ferguson
David Ferguson
Director, Development
Coast Hotels

Robert Bruins
Robert Bruins
VP, Hotels
Oxford Properties Group

Ron Mundi
Ron Mundi
President
Mundi Hotel

Trevor Scott
Trevor Scott
Managing Director, Western Canada
CFO Capital

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm

Networking Lunch and Tradeshow
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom 
 
Sponsored by
2:00 pm – 2:15 pm
Industry Update with Hotels Canada, AHLA, & BCHA
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
Beth McMahon
Beth McMahon
President & CEO
Hotels Canada

Tracy Douglas
Tracy Douglas
President & CEO
Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association

Paul Hawes
Paul Hawes
President & CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm

Planting Flags: Inside the West's Brand Land Grab

Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
 
Regional and global hotel brands continue to push into all kinds of Western Canadian markets and provide enormous value in most instances. However, owners, and their lenders, are looking at all sides of branding before they buy or develop. And then, if you are branding, how do you choose and what are the drivers for the best brand for you. These top global and regional brand representatives make the case to challenge the concepts. Hotel people, start your engines!

Moderator:

Ryan McRae
Ryan McRae
SVP of Business Development
Hotel Equities

Speakers:

Geoffrey Beckett
Geoffrey Beckett
Canadian Director
BWH Hotel Group

Mark Kochhar
Mark Kochhar
Director Development Canada, Western Provinces
Hilton

3:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Networking Coffee Break and Tradeshow
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom 
 
Sponsored by
3:30 pm – 4:15 pm
The View from the C-Suite: What Leaders See Next
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
 

A dynamic conversation with leading owners, brand executives and lenders. Where are they investing? What are they avoiding? What has changed their strategy and what do they see coming next?

Expect limited formal questioning and a candid, free flowing and constructively disruptive discussion. Stand by.

Moderator:

Scott Duff
Scott Duff
Vice President Franchise Sales & Development
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Speakers:

Jeff Hyslop
Jeff Hyslop
Executive VP, Asset Management & Investments
InnVest Hotels

Ed Khediguian
Ed Khediguian
VP, Franchise Finance
NBC Franchise Finance

Marc Staniloff
Marc Staniloff
President and CEO
Superior Lodging Corporation

4:30 pm – 4:45 pm
Final Remarks
Location: Bayshore Grand Ballroom
Stephanie Gadbois
Stephanie Gadbois
Executive Vice President
Big Picture Conferences