In today’s fast-paced, high-pressure workplaces, disconnection has become one of the greatest challenges facing teams. Miscommunication, burnout, and constant change can quietly erode trust and collaboration - yet the strength of any organization ultimately rests on the quality of its relationships.

In this energizing and deeply human keynote, Dr. Jody Carrington explores the transformative power of reconnection. As a renowned psychologist and one of North America’s most sought-after speakers, Dr. Jody brings humor, candor, and powerful insight into how authentic relationships are built, strengthened, and repaired.

The truth is: we are not born knowing how to repair ruptures in relationships - we must learn it. When leaders and teams understand how to reconnect after moments of stress, conflict, or change, they create cultures rooted in trust, resilience, and belonging.

Through engaging stories, research-based insight, and practical takeaways, Dr. Jody will challenge attendees to rethink the way they show up for one another - within their teams, their organizations, and the communities they serve.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

Hotels occasionally encounter situations involving drugs or drug paraphernalia, leaving staff unsure of the safest and most appropriate next steps. Sargent Mark Korobanik from the Edmonton Police Service will provide practical guidance for hotel teams on how to recognize common drug-related items, assess potential risks, and understand when an issue can be safely managed internally versus when police involvement is required. This session will cover what to do if drugs or paraphernalia are suspected or discovered, how to protect staff and guests, and why proper response and reporting are critical for workplace safety.

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.