For Immediate Release
February 23, 2017 – Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador’s Annual Conference and Trade Show enters its final day with a look at tourism from the national perspective, including an address from Gudie Hutchings, Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism and MP for the Long Range Mountains.
“We are incredibly pleased to have such a breadth of national tourism representation at our conference this year,” says Hospitality NL Chair, Dion Finlay. “Tourism offers tremendous economic and cultural benefits to Canadians. This year, as the country comes together to celebrate Canada150, it is important to get those national perspectives on topics such as policy, advocacy, labour market and marketing so that the tourism industry here in Newfoundland and Labrador is equipped to deliver one of a kind experiences to travellers and residents alike.”
“Working hard together is the key to growing our tourism industry and is an opportunity to showcase every community here in Newfoundland and Labrador, and across Canada,” says Parliamentary Secretary for Small Business and Tourism, Gudie Hutchings. “When we invest in the tourism industry, we are investing to create jobs for the middle class and those working hard to join it. We will continue to celebrate our country and all it has to offer during Canada’s 150th anniversary.”
Parliamentary Secretary Hutchings will moderate the National Tourism Panel featuring leaders of three of Canada’s national tourism organizations: David Robinson, Vice-President, Strategy and Stakeholder Relations, Destination Canada, Philip Mondor, President, Tourism HR Canada and Charlotte Bell, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). The panelists will provide a synopsis of key national initiatives and priorities, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A to discuss how Newfoundland and Labrador fits into the national picture and how this province can maximize on and support these national efforts. Later in the morning, Keith Henry, President & CEO of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada will present The Power of Aboriginal Tourism – The Path Forward 2016-2021.
The Professional Development Luncheon will feature an address by Jonathan Foster, Executive Director of the Gros Morne Institute for Sustainable Tourism, followed by the presentation of the 2017 Sustainable Tourism Award by Parks Canada in partnership with Hospitality NL. During the luncheon, delegates will also celebrate tourism professionals from across the province who have recently achieved emerit®Professional Certification.
Following the luncheon, delegates will hear from Hospitality NL’s leadership, as they present an update on the association’s advocacy efforts pertaining to key policy issues affecting the provincial tourism industry.
Closing the Conference for another year, delegates will gather to honour the industry’s best and brightest at the Tourism Excellence Awards Gala, beginning at 7:30 pm.
Hospitality NL’s Annual Conference and Trade Show, the largest annual gathering of tourism operators within the province and is taking place in Gander, February 21-23, 2017. For more details, visit www.hnl.ca/conference.
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Media Contact:
Melissa Ennis, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
P: 709-722-2000, ext: 231
C: 709-227-1863
E: mennis@hnl.ca