February 27, 2019 – Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador is excited to kick off its Annual Conference and Trade Show today with Greg Oates, Chief Innovation Officer for NEXTFactor Enterprises Inc., delivering the keynote address to delegates. The Conference, taking place in Gander from February 26-28, is the chief tourism industry event in the province, bringing together tourism operators, stakeholders and government representatives to collaborate on expanding one of Newfoundland & Labrador’s fastest growing sectors.
“For the past 10 years, tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador has been guided by a collective vision for growth – Vision 2020,” says Hospitality NL Chair, Larry Laite. “Now it is time for the industry to look beyond 2020 at the future of tourism. We are excited to have Mr. Oates join us at this year’s Conference to lead that discussion and get us all thinking about where our industry is headed and how we will get there utilizing the principles of sustainability, regional collaboration and technology.”
Energizing delegates on the final day of Conference events is the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie. “We are very pleased to have the Federal Minister of Tourism, Mélanie Joly, join us in Gander,” adds Laite. “Minister Joly has been travelling across the country connecting with tourism operators and working to develop a new federal tourism strategy that will enhance the role of tourism in Canada’s economy. We look forward to sharing our Newfoundland and Labrador perspective and how our unique tourism offerings fit into the national picture.”
Minister Joly will address conference delegates on Thursday, February 28, 2019, 8:30am at the Albatross Hotel in Gander, followed immediately by a panel featuring some of Canada’s leading national tourism organizations: Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Restaurants Canada, Destination Canada and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.
Due to the strong support of the local tourism industry, Hospitality NL’s Conference has sold out! Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, the provincial tourism industry association for 35 years, is dedicated to advancing growth in tourism through advocacy efforts, skills and knowledge development and membership and networking opportunities. Hospitality NL’s Conference and Trade Show is the largest annual gathering of tourism operators within the province and is taking place in Gander, February 26-28, 2019. Visit www.hnl.ca/conference to learn more!
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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