Four Seasons Hotel Toronto has again received five stars from Forbes Travel Guide. This is the eighth consecutive year the hotel has been recognized with the accolade. “We strive to achieve these coveted star ratings and it gives me immense pride in our team to receive these designations year over year,” says hotel general manager, Konrad Gstrein. “We are delighted to stand tall among the best in class.” The Four Seasons’ flagship is situated in the heart of Yorkville. Soaring…
Event technology and digital solutions provider Giant iTab has launched the world’s first hybrid sanitizer smartphone to keep attendees of live events safe during the pandemic. The kiosk has health and safety features, including auto hand sanitizer and a temperature reader. Visitors offer their wrist to the infrared monitor and will be given a green or red indicator light to confirm they are safe to enter the premises. It also has analytics to show how, where and when it was…
Hospitality industry veteran Gregor Resch has taken the reins of some of Canada’s most iconic hotels. Resch has been named regional vice-president of Fairmont Hotels and Resorts’ western mountain region. In this role, Resch will oversee Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Fairmont Banff Springs, where he also now serves as general manager. Resch first joined Fairmont in 1994, as assistant front office manager at the brand’s Vancouver hotel. He proceeded to hold successive…
The federal government is creating a new national program to help Black Canadian entrepreneurs recover from the COVID-19 crisis and help grow their businesses. The prime minister announced the $221 million initiative Sept. 9, which will include both private and public funding. “The pandemic has shone a light on the inequalities that disproportionately hurt Black Canadians, and has underscored the need to restart our economy in a way that allows all Canadians an equal chance to succeed,” said Justin Trudeau…
Developers of European database, Women Talk Real Estate, are exploring demand for a similar resource to help event organizers and journalists tap into more diverse expertise in the commercial real estate industry. All interested parties are invited to respond to an online survey gauging interest in a database of Black, Asian and other minority ethnic (BAME) professionals who could serve as speakers, panellists and media sources. “The aim of the database would be to support both male and female BAME…
Event venues across the country will be lit up red for one hour after sundown on Sept. 22, to raise awareness for an industry that continues to feel the economic fallout of the pandemic and will be one of the last to recover. The initiative is led by Live Event Community, an organization that was formed in March in the aftermath of mass event cancellations due to COVID-19. “People are really looking to do something, however symbolic it may be,”…
WestJet has adopted a ‘zero tolerance mask policy’ to better ensure safe travel on its airplanes. Passengers who refuse to don a face covering may be denied boarding. For those who remove their masks during a flight, the violation could result in the return of the aircraft to the gate and the offending passenger removed. A one-year travel ban with the airline may also be imposed. The rules, which came into effect Sept. 1, apply to all passengers over the…
Facing the current economic crisis brought about by COVID-19, the Sheraton Laval Hotel has partnered with audiovisual and event production firm, Creativ Nation, to enable Quebec businesses of all sizes to bring large-scale interactive events to life for their employees, clients, partners and collaborators. Together, they unveiled a multimedia studio at an event Aug. 18, that can be used to design hybrid events that allow both a physical and virtual presence of participants. “It is not because physical gatherings are…
Ontario has eased restrictions on the indoor capacity for meeting and event facilities. Facilities can now have up to 50 guests in each indoor meeting room or event space, so as long as they abide by a plan approved by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer of Health (OCMOH). “As the province gradually and safely reopens, our government is continuing to promote a safe approach to reopening businesses to boost Ontario’s economic and social recovery,” says Lisa MacLeod, Minister…
Six event professionals have been inducted into Canadian Meetings and Events Expo’s (CMEExpo) hall of fame. Creative Group’s Diane Alexander is the 2020 industry volunteer. The category recognizes an individual planner or supplier who gives freely of their time or expertise in the promotion of industry associations, groups, professional industry chapters or charity work. Montreal event planner Daniela Caputo has been named an industry mentor. This honour celebrates a planner or supplier who, through their expertise, professional influence or academic…
