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LodgingNews July 2012 Vol. 10 No. 6
C A N A D A ’ S
L O D G I N G
B U S I N E S S
N E W S P A P E R
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Hotel Elan offers impressive functionality By Colleen Isherwood, Editor CALGARY—Two years ago, it was an apartment building called Connaught Manor. But renovations began in August 2011, and on June 9, the first hotel guests moved into the 62-suite Hotel Elan, property number 100 in Choice Hotels’ Ascend Collection. The hotel owners were motivated to join the Ascend soft brand due to the marketing exposure offered by the Choice organization, says Sarah Webb, director of marketing. “We didn’t want to join a full brand. We wanted to make our own day-to-day decisions, and have the independence to develop our own hotel brand,” she notes. Choice’s loyalty program also contributed to the decision to join Ascend. The private ownership group developing the hotel has two other hotels that are fully independent—the Nuvo Hotel Suites, another former apartment building which was renovated five years ago, and Centro, a boutique motel in Calgary.
Smart technology
Canada Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010152
Hotel Elan exterior. Inset: General manager Lewis Shaw.
Hotel Elan has paid detailed attention to the functionality of its meeting
rooms. The Summit Meeting Room has a touchscreen smart board that enables presenters to hook up their laptops to the screen. They can write notes on the screen and then save them to their laptops. Soundproofing is also important. Hotel Elan has 1.5 more layers of soundproofing than the average hotel, Webb says. There’s also a portable videoconferencing unit. Forty-one of the hotel’s suites have meeting tables—those in the one-bedroom suites seat four and two-bedroom units can accommodate six people at a meeting table. The hotel also offers complimentary calls to more than 70 countries worldwide. Even the vending machines are unusual, offering fresh smoothies, juice shots, popcorn, almonds and organic ginger ale. “It’s affordably priced with a healthy selection of items—$5.50 is the price of the most expensive item,” notes Webb. Hotel Elan has PVR in every room so that guests can record their favourite shows. There are both wired and wireless connections so they can connect their laptops to the optic HDTV from Telus. Continued on page 3
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New roles at IHG’s Canadian office
Angela Xavier describes her new position and the developments she and Jo Allan see on the horizon for IHG in Canada.
ORHMA and OAA join forces in Ontario
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Two Ontario hotel associations will join together as of Aug. 1. Longtime OAA stalwarts, the Gravel family, wish them well.
Canadian technology scores at HITEC 2013 By Larry Mogelonsky, P. Eng. MINNEAPOLIS, MN—Some 18 Canadian companies were represented at this year’s HITEC trade show held last month in Minneapolis, a record for Canadian exhibitors. Since 1994, this annual event showcases the latest in technology for the hospitality industry. Apart from the seminars, the exhibit floor offered attendees the opportunity to receive handson demonstrations and learn more
about how technology can enhance operations and profitability. For suppliers, HITEC provides a means of meeting current customers, as well as generating new leads. “HITEC is the ‘COMDEX’ of our industry.” noted Saar Fabrikant, CEO of B4Checkin of Halifax, “The show has paid off handsomely for us in the past, and this year has continued to show positive results.” More HITEC photo coverage can be found on page 20.
SPECIAL PULLOUT SECTION
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CANADIAN LODGING NEWS FRANCHISE REPORT FOR 2013 includes contacts, prices and information for 63 brands.
100 is Great. 101 is Better! We have now signed our 100th hotel in Canada. We’d love to welcome you as 101. New construction and conversion opportunities available.
Days Inns - Canada 416.966.8387 daysinn@realstarhospitality.com A Division of Realstar Hospitality
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