7 reasons not to miss the 2016 HAC Conference

HAC's Tony Pollard.

OTTAWA — Stakeholders will once again look to the Hotel Association of Canada for advice and guidance on how to position themselves for the year ahead as they gather at the association’s annual conference Feb. 29 to March 1 at the Hilton Toronto Hotel.

The HAC, which represents more than 8,100 hotels, motels and resorts in Canada’s $17.5 billion lodging industry, will offer invaluable insight into the trends that will shape the year ahead. Here are seven reasons you can’t miss this year’s conference.

Demystifying Distribution. Still challenged by the prominence of bookings through third-party intermediaries? Learn the new techniques to understand distribution costs and their impact on hotel profit. Cindy Estis Green, of Kalibri Labs, will deliver a presentation that, alone, is worth the cost of admission.

Survey Says: This annual session provides a snapshot into the HAC’s Travel Intentions Survey. Get a glimpse into potential business volumes for 2016; get a heads-up on possible challenges; and find out how to book more business for your hotel in the year ahead.

Take Back Your Guests: Check In Canada is a groundbreaking national initiative that contributes to the improved alignment of tourism marketing and helps hoteliers reduce reliance on OTAs. Find out how this is actually working in Western Canada and how you can substantially reduce your OTA costs and ensure your customer books directly with your hotel.

Millennials: It’s time to take millennials seriously. Hear from the next generation of recent hospitality graduates as Vito Curalli, of Hilton Worldwide, moderates a panel of “fresh faces” with a series of questions focused on hotel operations, travel experiences and their vision for the future of Canadian hotels.

The Bottom Line: No profit, no hotel. Find out what it takes to find success in any economy, as experts provide insights into the real day-to-day decisions managers make that affect the long-term sustainability of any operation.

Sir David Michels: Having spent more than 30 years in the hotel and gaming business, Sir David Michels retired ac CEO of Hilton Group in 2007, having sold Hilton International to Hilton Hotels Corp. for £4 billion and launching Ladbrokes as a standalone public company. Meet the legend as he shares his candid and memorable stories.

Your Friends Will be There: The HAC Conference presents national networking with noted industry leaders who share opinions, stimulate discussion and create new directions. Join your friends!