Location:

• 📍 Waterfront Ballroom

Program Description:

When LEADING WITH LOVE is at the center of your leadership style, you create a ripple effect that radically enriches the lives of your teams, your customers and your community. Mandy Farmer’s keynote explores the rebellious and unconventional strategies she uses to revolutionize work culture, resulting in an innovative and happy workplace that outperforms the competition. And, most importantly, she has a ton of fun doing it!

Speaker:

• Mandy Farmer, CEO of Accents Inn

Location:

• 📍 MacKenzie 1

Program Description:

Hassel was inspired to co-found Not 9 to 5, a non-profit that empowers food service service workers like herself. As Not 9 to 5’s Executive Director, this industry vanguard has made it her mission to dismantle the brigade system, so hospitality and restaurant workers can thrive. The organization provides support for mental health and substance use by mobilizing educational resources and creating safe space communities. Hassel’s strategic planning abilities helped grow Not 9 to 5 from a series of workshops, panels, and webinars into a global vehicle for change. Now, with CNECTing – Not 9 to 5’s online educational platform, Hassel aspires to start a worldwide hospitality revolution to create work environments that are inclusive and proactive, rather than top-down and reactive.

Speaker:

• Hassel Aviles, Not 9-5

Location:

• 📍 Malaspina

Program Description:

This inspiring and transformative session will feature three dynamic panelists who will share their stories of speaking up and advocating for themselves and others. They will then invite you to take a seat at the table, encouraging attendees to join the conversation by sharing your own story of courage and resilience. Whether it's a moment of triumph after speaking up or a lesson learned from self-doubt and silence, your voice matters. Through this interactive discussion, you will learn about the confidence gap and leave with strategies to stand taller in your leadership, including identifying and overcoming barriers to speaking up, building confidence and assertiveness in professional and personal settings, and leveraging your voice to effect positive change and empower others. Don't miss this opportunity to join the conversation, connect with a supportive community, and walk away with actionable strategies to unlock your full potential.

Moderator:

• Richelle Akimow, GFS

Panelists:

• Trina Notman, VP of Marketing and Communications from Accent Inns / Hotel Zed

• Shobna Kannusamy, Entrepreneur, Founder, and Principal Coach of Soirette Coaching and Consulting

• Lizzy Ojo Martens, Communications Professional and Chapter Lead at Colour the Trails

Location:

• 📍 MacKenzie 1

Program Description:

We will explore the crucial intersection of communication, ambition, and career clarity. Effective communication is highlighted as pivotal for fostering positive relationships and enhancing teamwork, while ambition guided by clarity is encouraged as a driving force for personal and professional growth. But how can we connect everything to making sure you are on the career path you truly want? Through practical strategies and real-life examples, this speech seeks to ignite empowerment and forward motion; urging women in the hospitality industry to seize opportunities the smart way, ultimately charting their paths to success.

Speaker:

• Makenzie Chilton, Love your Mondays

Location:

• 📍 Malaspina

Program Description:

In this dynamic panel discussion, influential women across diverse industries will delve into the pivotal role finances play in both our personal and professional lives. You will be invited to explore your relationship with money and consider how you can better equip yourself to generate wealth. Learn about the best times to negotiate your salary, how to determine an appropriate salary range, how to effectively engage with hiring managers, HR professionals, and external recruitment teams, and gain clarity on your complete compensation package. Our panelists will share their invaluable insights, offering advice on overcoming common negotiation mistakes and addressing the reasons women sometimes shy away from advocating for their worth. Together, we'll explore actionable steps you and your team can make to ensure women of recreation, tourism, and hospitality are paid what they are worth.

Moderator:

• Puneet Kochar, Head of Finance Tacofino and WORTH Advisory Board Member

Panelists:

• Ayesha Howitt, Director of Learning & DEIR at Vancity Credit Union

• Natasha Jeshani, President and CEO of Career Contacts, Founder Training Arch

• Sophie Warwick, Co-founder of the Thoughtful Co

Location:

• 📍 MacKenzie 2

Program Description:

Have you ever wondered “How can I address sexual harassment in this industry?” Join Good Night Out for a focused session with a sexual violence prevention educator to help generate answers to this question.

BC legislation states that workplaces must take reasonable steps to mitigate bullying and harassment, this includes sexual violence, yet Stats Canada reports that half of workers across Canada witnessed or experienced some sort of inappropriate sexualized or discriminatory behaviour, so what can we do about it?

From an overview of Good Night Out’s Model of Protective Spaces to their recent policy paper with recommendations funded by the City of Victoria and Canadian Women’s Foundation, you will leave with some much-needed inspiration and tools to create change in your corner of the industry.

Speaker:

• Stacey Forrester, Good Night Out Vancouver

Location:

• 📍 Waterfront Ballroom

Program Description:

Learn from leaders across the sector as our esteemed panelists share their stories and paths to leadership. Together, we'll discuss the obstacles met along the way and strategies for overcoming them, emphasizing the importance of building relationships, networking, mentorship, champions, and allyship in elevating our careers. These bosses of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality will offer practical advice for personal empowerment, share what resources are available, how we can contribute to our own growth, and how we can best advocate for ourselves.

Panelists:

• Lorraine Lowe, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre

• Teresa Ryder, ITAC

• Anna Grolle, Cactus Restaurants

• Robyn McVicker, Invictus Games

• Ingrid Jarret, President & CEO BC Hotel Association

Location:

• 📍 Waterfront Ballroom

Program Description:

Join us for an insightful one-on-one conversation with Heather McCrory, renowned hotelier and champion of the movement to improve gender diversity and inclusion in the hospitality industry. Listen as Heather reflects on her career journey, offering invaluable advice and wisdom gleaned from her years of experience at the forefront of the sector. Gain valuable insights into the importance of gender diversity in leadership roles and discover practical tips for advancing your own leadership ambitions. Don't miss this empowering discussion that promises to inspire and equip you with the tools needed to lead with confidence and purpose.

Moderator:

• Ingrid Jarret, President & CEO BC Hotel Association

Speaker:

• Heather McCrory, Board Member for Hotel Association of Canada