Program

Tuesday, April 21, 2026
8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
 
9:30 AM - 10:45 AM

Trust is the foundation of every meaningful relationship—it fuels connection, drives collaboration, and strengthens leadership, parenting, teaching, and personal relationships. Yet, trust is fragile; without it, communication falters, motivation wanes, and relationships break down.

Building and maintaining trust requires intentional effort. It starts with self-awareness and consistency, leading with vulnerability, and fostering psychological safety—creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued. Trust is reinforced by honoring commitments, showing up authentically, and practicing deep, active listening. And when trust is broken? Repairing it requires acknowledgment, sincere apology, and changed behavior.

Trust isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a lifelong practice that fuels stronger connections, better communication, and a lasting impact in all areas of life.

 

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM
 
11:15 AM - 11:50 AM

Meetings are the heartbeat of effective hotel management, yet too often they become time-consuming, unfocused, or fail to drive results. This dynamic 30-minute session reveals the secrets to transforming routine meetings into powerful tools for collaboration, decision-making, and team motivation.

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Enjoy a relaxing lunch and explore our vibrant marketplace, where you'll discover a diverse array of innovative products and solutions from leading vendors. This is a great opportunity to network, engage with cutting-edge offerings, and gain insights into the latest trends and technologies in the industry. Savor a delectable selection of desserts served right in the marketplace area. 

1:00 PM - 1:45 PM

Accommodation and human rights issues can be some of the most challenging situations hoteliers face. This session will focus on going deep on scenarios focusing on:

  • Disability (especially mental health & medical restrictions)
  • Age (Retirement)
  • Religious accommodation (scheduling, dress, observance)

By the end of the session, employers will be able to recognize when accommodation or human rights obligations are triggered and understand the difference between the duty to inquire and the duty to accommodate. The session will focus on following a defensible accommodation process, avoiding common mistakes that often lead to complaints, and knowing when to pause and seek support from HR, legal counsel, or the Alberta Human Rights Commission.

This session, led by members of the OHS compliance team, provides a clear and practical overview of how Occupational Health and Safety inspections are conducted and what employers can expect during the process. Presenters will walk through the stages of an inspection, the key elements officers look for, and the some of the common issues currently identified in hotel workplaces. Attendees will gain a better understanding of how to prepare, and how to support a smooth inspection experience. The session will include an opportunity for open Q&A to address specific questions and help participants feel confident and prepared for future inspections.

 

1:45 PM - 2:00 PM
 
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM

Finding great talent doesn’t always start with a job posting. This interactive, rotating roundtable session connects hoteliers directly with employment agencies, immigrant and newcomer-serving organizations, and youth employment agencies that support job seekers interested in hospitality careers. Agency representatives will share who their job seekers are, the programs and supports available, and how employers benefit when hiring through their services. Hoteliers will rotate between tables, ask questions, exchange contact information, and build relationships that can lead to future hires. Come ready to participate, take notes, and have casual, meaningful conversations about building your hotel’s talent pipeline while supporting newcomers and youth in finding meaningful work.

Join Deborah Nilsen, Industry Specialist at the Workers’ Compensation Board, for a focused session on building effective and sustainable return‑to‑work strategies. Whether an injury occurs in the workplace or outside of it, employers play a key role in supporting recovery and facilitating a safe, timely return to meaningful duties. This session explores practical approaches for accommodation, communication, planning modified work, and overcoming common barriers. Drawing on WCB expertise and industry trends, Deborah will share real‑world guidance to help employers strengthen their return‑to‑work programs, support injured workers, and improve outcomes for both employees and organizations.

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
 
3:05 PM - 3:40 PM

Session description coming soon.

3:50 PM - 4:30 PM

AI is no longer a future concept, it’s already changing how work gets done. In this session, leaders will learn what they really need to know about AI as it relates to their people, the risks to consider, and how to integrate AI into their business through small, manageable steps. You’ll walk away with insights and tools on how to lead adoption, support your people through change, and use of AI to enhance, not replace, human judgment and leadership.

4:30 PM - 5:00 PM
 
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 
5:30 PM - 9:00 PM

Ready for a fun night relaxing and enjoying dinner theatre?

We encourage guests to buy a ticket to join our group for this night out.

Wednesday, April 22, 2026
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM

Start our second day off with a full breakfast (included in your registration fee)

8:30 AM - 12:00 PM

Having an Accessibility Strategy isn't just about checking boxes —it’s about creating a strategic advantage that strengthens your workforce, enhances guest experiences, and expands your pool of qualified talent. In this 90-minute workshop, hoteliers will explore why every hotel needs an accessibility strategy, the benefits of proactive inclusion, and the common hurdles organizations face on their accessibility journey. We will walk through key elements of long-term success, including planning, implementation, and measuring progress.

Following the strategy workshop, Tourism HR Canada’s Tourism Workplace Accessibility Clinic team will share how their advisory services help tourism employers recruit, retain, and support employees with disabilities, offering practical guidance on inclusive hiring, workplace adjustments, and accessibility planning to strengthen your business and address staffing challenges.

The session will conclude with a networking opportunity connecting hoteliers with disability service providers and employer agencies that help individuals with barriers to employment find meaningful work in hotels. Come ready to participate, ask questions, take lots of notes, and walk away with actionable ideas and new community connections you can bring back to your workplace.

Leaders play a critical role in shaping a culture of psychological safety. This interactive four‑hour workshop provides leaders with foundational Mental Health First Aid‑informed skills—without certification—to confidently recognize signs of mental health concerns, assess severity, and respond with empathy and clarity. Participants will also explore strategies to safeguard their own mental health, set healthy boundaries, and lead by example in normalizing wellbeing practices. With practical tools and real‑world scenarios, this session empowers leaders to foster supportive conversations, make appropriate referrals, and contribute to a mentally healthy workplace where people can thrive.

Program is subject to change.