2008 Press Releases
CHIP Hospitality celebrates its top performers of 2007
VANCOUVER, BC (March 17, 2008) - CHIP Hospitality, one of Canada's leading hotel management companies, recently recognized its best hotel teams and associates of 2007 at their annual leadership conferences in Victoria and Ottawa. Winners were selected from the company's 32 properties across Canada.
This year's theme for both conferences was "Think Green" and the host hotels strove to plan a green conference by implementing green meeting practices such as encouraging car pooling to and from the conference and airport, limiting handouts, collecting and reusing name badges and plastic event signs, having recycle bins in all guest and meeting rooms, and cards and note pads printed on recycled paper. Attendee gifts were also environmentally friendly and included a coffee mug made from corn, a metal water bottle and a copy of "The Green Book", a New York Times bestseller guidebook with simple steps for saving the planet.
"Everything of value gets done because of our people" said Robert Pratt, President of CHIP Hospitality. "2007 was an very good year for CHIP and that was due largely to the effort of the thousands of CHIP associates who focus each day on pleasing our guests by providing an exceptional experience. We are particularly proud of the individual and team award winners who have demonstrated outstanding performance and their achievements are a testament of their commitment to the CHIP values of liveliness, engagement, anticipation and delivery."
The year's General Managers Conference was held at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe, in Victoria, BC. Major award winners were:
Leader of the Year - Jade Guilbert, Environmental & Horticultural Specialist, Hotel
des Seigneurs St, Hyacinthe
This award is given to an Associate in a leadership capacity at any CHIP Hospitality hotel (excluding
General Managers). As the Environmental & Horticultural Specialist, Ms. Guilbert is the leader of
the hotel's Green Team and implemented recycling and waste management programs as well as developed
Green Meeting packages for the hotel. The Hotel des Seigneurs St. Hyacinthe has been recognized
both nationally and internationally for its green hotel practices.
Associate of the Year - Jenni Wiliams, Human Resources Coordinator, Delta Fredericton
This award is given to a non-management associate who has demonstrated extraordinary customer service
and involvement in the community. Ms. Williams is the HR Coordinator for two CHIP properties in
Fredericton and she is a role model for excellent customer service for both internal and external
associates. She is the co-chair for the Canadian Cancer Society 2008 Relay for Life, and volunteers
at the Run for the Cure and Special Olympics events. She also leads the fundraising efforts for
the hotel's Family Fund and Christmas Fund.
General Manager of the Year - Gil Vallee, Red Deer Lodge & Conference Centre
This award is given to the General Manager who exhibits the highest level of excellence in leadership
and results improvement during the year. Mr. Vallee has been with CHIP Hospitality for two years
and in that short period of time he has come to personify the values of CHIP. He has created a
cohesive team at the property with a winning attitude. He leads with a completely engaging style
and provides a helping hand wherever and whenever possible throughout the whole organization. Under
Mr.Vallee's leadership the hotel has also seen significant increases in revenue, guest and associate
satisfaction.
Hotel of the Year - Quality Hotel & Conference Centre, Fort McMurray
The award is given to the hotel demonstrating the highest level of excellence in profitability,
guest satisfaction, associate satisfaction and quality. The Quality Hotel & Conference Centre team,
lead by General Manager Marcel Berube, was able to deliver high levels of profitability, guest
satisfaction and associate satisfaction over the previous year, and all within a challenging environment.
In addition, the hotel continued to celebrate their unique and dedicated team of associates and
be recognized in their community as a "green" corporate citizen.
The Director of Sales & Marketing Conference was held at the Crowne Plaza Ottawa, in Ottawa, Ontario. Major award winners were:
Director of Sales & Marketing of the Year - Robb Engen, Lethbridge Lodge
This award is given to the Director of Sales and Marketing that shows strong leadership and identifies
the best revenue opportunities to achieve maximum Revpar. Under Mr. Engen's leadership, his team
has performed strongly and maximized opportunities. His team also finished ahead of budget in catering
revenues by measuring demand for their newly converted ballroom which was formerly the dining room.
He planned the hotels first ever Ez Fest, a 3 day music festival hosted in the hotels parking lot.
And his hotel's annual curling bonspiel is a sell out every year with clients on the waiting list
to enter a team. He also assisted the hotel with the "Are You Tough Enough?" event that raised
over $10,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.
Sales Team of the Year - Citadel Halifax Hotel
This award is given to the Sales Team that achieves exceptional results in the areas of group, base,
volume negotiated and catering and uses prospecting, activity goals, and a focused approach to
achieve results. This Citadel Halifax Hotel sales team, lead by Cyndi Penwell, beat their group
budget and exceeded the catering budget. This is a very positive team and that celebrates each
win and continually shows the customer that they care.
RevMax Team of the Year - Radisson Hotel Saskatoon
This award is given to the team that effectively applies Revmax strategies. Each member must be
fully responsible for their part of the process and have an effective Revmax process. At the Radisson
Hotel Saskatoon, the Director of Sales, Shawna Nelson and Revenue Manager, Wade Moffat, are calculated
risk takers. They have a firm handle on the demand in the market and use that knowledge to make
good decisions. Mr. Moffat has improved on maximizing opportunities in the various channels and
introducing creative strategies such as fun upsell incentive programs.
SilverBirch is one of Canada's leading hotel management companies and currently manages over 30 hotels and resorts in Canada with more than 7,700 rooms. The company manages independent hotels and hotels operating under major franchise brands including Crowne Plaza, Radisson, Residence Inn by Marriott, Holiday Inn, Hilton, Quality, Gouverneur, Best Western and Ramada properties. SilverBirch is fully owned by British Columbia Investment Management Corporation ("bcIMC"), a Canadian leader in investment funds management that is based in Victoria, British Columbia (www.bcimc.com).
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Holly Peterson
Marketing Manager
SilverBirch
Telephone: (604) 646-8787 or (604) 512-9198
hpeterson@silverbirchhotels.com