Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Mainstay Fall 2016
Mainstay Fall 2016
BRIGHT IDEAS
PM#40020055
Creative compensation to
attract the best employees
How to manage a
no-tipping policy
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Contents
FALL
2016
12
Columns
7 Letters
9
The Lobby
20
26
CAF
HOTEL
DRAYTON VALLEY
Features
14
At Your Service
16
16
Managers Corner
24
12
18
19
HR Files
Back of House
26
Drayton Valley
28
Speaking Personally
30
Parting Shot
20 Welcome?
With Airbnb on the rise across the
country, its time to strategize
24
Featured Employee:
The Right Ingredients
Alexander Herbert combines his
culinary skills with strong
leadership at the Pomeroy Hotel
www.ahla.ca
28
Fall 2016
Mainstay
Official magazine of
Perry Batke
Leanne Shaw
Past Chair:
Steven Watters
Dave Kaiser
Vice Chairs:
Chris Barr
Tina Tobin
Directors North:
Amr Awad
Shazma Charania
Robin Cumine
Ken Mealey
Directors Central:
Karen Naylor
George Marine
Mark Perry
Directors South:
Heather Hamilton
Sandra Kanegawa
Published by:
Publisher and
Editor-in-Chief:
Ruth Kelly
Managing Editor:
Kim Tannas
Art Director:
Charles Burke
Graphic Designer:
Andrew Wedman
Production Manager:
Betty Feniak
Production Technicians:
Brent Felzien,
Brandon Hoover
Vice-President, Sales:
Anita McGillis
Contributing Writers:
Contributing
Photographers and
Illustrators:
PM #40020055
Mainstay is printed on
Forest Stewardship
Council certified paper
Mainstay is published four times a year for Alberta Hotel &
Lodging Association. Content copyright 2016 is held by AHLA.
Content may not be reprinted or reproduced on websites without
the express permission of AHLA.
Undeliverable mail should be returned to Venture Publishing at
10259 105 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 1E3
As Albertas largest benefit provider, Alberta Blue Cross delivers industry-leading plan management
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Presidents MESSAGE
Taxing Times
BY DAVE KAISER, AHLA PRESIDENT & CEO
The governments
commitment to
reinvest revenue
generated by the
carbon levy back
into the economy
may create
opportunities for
hotels to reduce
their costs.
www.ahla.ca
Fall 2016
Mainstay
Chairmans REPORT
Stronger Together
BY PERRY BATKE, CHAIR OF THE BOARD
O
Even in the most
difficult of times, the
true spirit and
resilience of our
industry shines
through.
Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
The
LOBBY
INDUSTRY TIPS & TRENDS
TIPPING POINT
BY Julie-Anne Cleyn
www.ahla.ca
Fall 2016
Mainstay
The LOBBY
GREAT SHOT
The Tour of Alberta is a road cycling race with an international audience, with 2016 marking its fourth year in the province.
This years race made stops in Lethbridge, Kananaskis, Olds, Rocky Mountain House, Drayton Valley and Edmonton.
socialmedia@ahla.ca
@ABHotelAssoc
Your Say...
10 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
BY Julie-Anne Cleyn
Environmentally friendly
ideas for your hotel
4. If toilet paper rolls in guest rooms are not used to the end,
reuse them in public washrooms or donate them.
DONT PANIC. THATS THE FIRST PIECE OF ADVICE ON HOW TO MANAGE YOUR
finances in tough times from Mark Moerkerk, who works in Direct Commercial
Services at Servus Credit Union. Our economy is designed to have periods of
both growth and adjustment, he says.
But what can you do to maximize your revenues and reduce your costs
during these difficult times? Moerkerk suggests you build a strong business
plan. Its the foundation for long-term business success. It helps you manage
growth at a comfortable pace, minimize exposure in tough times, and identify
options for both up and down economies.
Keep your bank or credit union updated on your performance too. If you
need to rearrange payments, tell your advisor youd like an appointment to
discuss your business plan for improving performance in the current economy. Be prepared to answer the tough questions, with data to support your
answers, says Moerkerk.
Its also essential to track your performance. If you dont forecast, your costs
can spin out of control quickly. Prepare month-to-month cash flow projections
and use them to understand your credit requirements, determine the
Inspiring Service - Growing Value
www.ahla.ca
Fall 2016
Mainstay 11
The LOBBY
then transported to Bruderheim, where they were interconnected and clad in a stucco finish. Looking at
it, you cant distinguish it from a regular hotel, says
Javorski. Plus, steel construction comes with added
benefits such as a longer lifespan and better protection against fire.
The hotel will provide much-needed accommodations for oil and gas workers in the Industrial Heartland region and an economic boost to Bruderheim.
BANFF PROPERTY
PURCHASE
Canalta Hotels recently completed the purchase of two
properties, adding the Banff Spruce Grove Inn and Banff
Voyager Inn to the 43 properties the company now owns
across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
It will expand our footprint into a more tourist-based
market, allowing us to grow our brand and our operations
into a market that weve wanted to be in for a long time,
says Blair Christianson, who is one of the company owners
along with his dad and brother. It will also help diversify our
hotels as were predominantly in secondary resource-based
markets.
Both properties will be undergoing major renovations over
the next 12 to 18 months, he adds.
In addition to operating hotels under the Canalta hotel
brand, the Drumheller-based company also operates
Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in Medicine Hat and owns
the development rights for Ramada across Canada.
12 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
BRIGHT IDEAS
Lighting tips to make your property sparkle
Property owners often put a lot of effort into the design of their spaces,
choosing quality materials and paying attention to layout and flow. But
without the correct lighting, guests wont be able to appreciate those
details, says Latif Jamani, President of Calgary Lighting Products.
Lighting is what allows people to properly see and experience that, he
says. Jamani offers some tips on how to make the most of the lighting
at your property.
LOBBY AND HALLWAY: In the lobby area, you want to achieve what
Jamani calls the sparkle effect. That would be an area where we would
recommend looking at 4100K bulbs. Itll amplify the reflection around the
space to make it feel open and appear brighter. With 4100K bulbs, the
colour is more of a cool white versus a 2700K bulb, which gives off a
warm light. He also recommends lighting architectural features (such as
vaulted ceilings or special materials) or artwork on the walls to emphasize
those details.
The lobby and hallway area is a prime candidate for LED lighting, he
adds. Because its on 24 hours a day, we want to make sure that the
light being used is long-lasting and energy efficient, he says, noting
that by using LED bulbs, you can reduce your energy consumption by
over 50 per cent and make progress on your hotels sustainability
mandate.
www.ahla.ca
Fall 2016
Mainstay
13
AT YOUR
Service
14 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
Managers CORNER
16 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
Q&A
The industry may have its share of challenges, but good
advice is only a phone call away
BY KIM TANNAS / PHOTOGRAPH BY COOPER + OHARA
Im married with three children aged 15, 18, and 20 and I have 15
years of experience in the hospitality industry. I also have property
management experience I opened the Lethbridge soccer centre
and ran that for 10 years.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE BEST WESTERN PLUS SERVICE INN
AND SUITES IN LETHBRIDGE?
Were a 113-room limited service hotel currently sitting as the
number one hotel on TripAdvisor in Lethbridge and a two-time
AHLA Housekeeping Award-winning property.
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE OTHER CHALLENGES HOTELS ARE FACING TODAY?
One of the major problems that we have in this province is the
influx of the number of hotel rooms. People started building when
times were good. Now times are bad, and youve got 2,000 rooms
opening up. Does it affect me? No, but when hotels across the board
are offering $99 rates, that becomes a major issue for everyone. The
issue is when a full-service hotel or a three-star limited service hotel
is dropping rates to match what a motel would be charging. Things
like that are a major issue when youre trying to maximize or
properly manage your revenues.
outside of town.
Nowadays people have already researched you on TripAdvisor;
theyre Google reviewing you, theyre on Yelp. Everything matters.
My iPhone is my best friend because I get up-to-the-minute
instant updates about a review or something that needs attention.
Youve got people checking into your hotel and already posting
on Facebook. In the Best Western world, we have people that
specifically focus on certain social media platforms to make sure
that were up-to-date and on top of things. Staying on top of the
industry is paramount to success nowadays.
www.ahla.ca
Fall 2016
Mainstay
17
AHLA AND
You
Fuelling a Partnership
Gas Alberta offers AHLA members innovative buying
strategies to manage costs in a dynamic market
GAS ALBERTA ENERGY (GAE) WAS ESTABLISHED
in 2003 as an independent advisory service
providing unbiased market representation for
the purchase of natural gas. As an industry
leader in energy procurement and price probability risk managed solutions, GAE assists
customers in maintaining operational efficiency
and budget certainty related to natural gas
supply and consumption.
In 2006 GAE partnered with the AHLA to
develop a Natural Gas Program designed to meet
the unique needs of AHLA members to offer
buying strategies tailored to meet individual risk
tolerance and cost management initiatives. GAE
helps AHLA members navigate the dynamic
market to better manage natural gas costs.
With the implementation of Albertas newly
enacted carbon tax January 1, 2017, the monitoring of energy consumption and subsequent
emissions is vital to managing some of the fiscal
impacts of the tax while remaining committed to
environmental sustainability.
$10.00
$9.00
$8.00
$7.00
$6.00
$5.00
$4.00
$3.00
$2.00
$1.00
$0.00
18 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
HR
Files
TOTAL COMPENSATION
package can be one of your most valuable tools in recruiting and retaining
employees. Staff who feel they are well looked
after will not only be less inclined to look for
work elsewhere, but they will also be more productive in their output.
In addition to a fixed wage, a compensation
package includes things such as bonuses, gratuities, benefits and on-site amenities. And
while a fair wage is a primary component, the
other items can be especially attractive to millennials and young employees.
Millennials are changing the way compensation is structured, and first and foremost what they want is fair and competitive
wages because they, more than any other
generation, share lots of information, and as
such they will very quickly identify disparities, says Janet Salopek, president of Salopek &
Associates, a Calgary-based human resources
and strategic planning firm.
After that, employers should get creative.
Millennials seek things other than money,
says Salopek. They want flexibility in work
hours, as well as flexible starting and finishing
times. In other words, if they complete their
daily tasks early, they want to go home early.
Salopek concedes that catering to these
demands within the confines of a rigidly
controlled hotel may be difficult, but any
deviation from the norm will be attractive.
And while it may seem strange to consider
offering people who are just entering the workforce retirement plans, according to Adecco, its
never too early to start putting money aside for
retirement. Many employers recognize the
value in giving their employees the opportunity
to get a head start on retirement savings
through c
ompany-sponsored pension and
Inspiring Service - Growing Value
which costs to employees for basic preventive care and repair are minimized, says the
HR Council, an online resource that provides HR management advice.
When it comes to cash compensation, the
salary ranges must be consistent and in line
with the market from an internal equity perspective. Variable pay structures should be
designed so they reward employees based on
the performance expectations of their roles
within the hotel.
Although developing a compensation
package takes time and effort, many tools are
at the hoteliers disposal; for example, salary
surveys can help determine if wages are in
line with the marketplace. A keen awareness
of a hotels financial goals, external and internal equity issues, and the local market in
which the hotel operates will result in a package that is competitive and attractive to a wide
range of people.
Fall 2016
Mainstay 19
Cover STORY
20 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
www.ahla.ca
Fall 2016
Mainstay 21
Cover STORY
W
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2016, Serta Canada, a division of SSH Bedding Canada Co.
differ from province to province, one concern unites hoteliers across the country: home
sharing, as personified by Airbnb.
Airbnb is an online marketplace connecting people looking to share space in their
homes with those who are looking for accommodations. For the hotel sector, this translates into travellers going online to secure
lodgings offered by private property owners
rather than a business run by a hotelier.
Valued at $25.5 billion, Airbnb is growing
at an unprecedented rate: the United States
makes up 16 per cent of its total listings. In
Europe, Airbnb hosts made nearly $3 billion
last year, according to Co-founder Nathan
Blecharczyk; and in traditional vacation
rental markets, the company has spent considerable time and effort taking market
share away from
rental sites such
as HomeAway
and VRBO.
Although regulators are
closely monitoring Airbnbs
activities, one of the reasons for the companys unbridled growth is that regulators
never anticipated this type of business.
In Europe, Airbnb collects taxes on
behalf of 30 cities, including Paris and
Amsterdam; the European Commission has
stated that implementing bans on sharing-economy services like Airbnb should
only be a measure of last resort.
Canada is one of Airbnbs largest global
markets: nearly one million Canadians
have used Airbnb, and about 650,000 visitors to Canada took advantage last year.
This will presumably contribute to Airbnbs
stated goal of achieving $10 billion in revenue by 2020, which will likely come from
various categories, including vacation rentals and business travel.
Dave Kaiser, President and CEO of the
Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association
(AHLA), notes somewhat grimly that Airbnbs appeal covers all demographics and
type of travellers. Moreover, its appealing
to homeowners who have either lost their
jobs or are simply trying to make their
mortgage payments.
www.ahla.ca
Hospitality Services
Cleaning for
Guest Retention
403.259.0044
info@janiking.ab.ca
Featured EMPLOYEE
24 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
GLAMPING?
COMFORT
CAMPING?
STAYCATIONS?
Whatever You Call it,
It Works!
CREEKSIDE CABINS
PLUG & PLAY
READY TO RENT
RICK BELLAMY
(403) 652-0423
rickbellamy@experthome.ca
www.experthome.ca
CAF
HOTEL
DRAYTON VALLEY
26 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
FUEL UP
For home-cooked comfort food in a
1950s diner style restaurant, head to the
WHITE BULL CAF in the heart of
downtown Drayton Valley. Boasting the
best burgers in town and a popular allday breakfast, this place fills up quickly
over the weekday lunch hour. Head there on a Friday night for
the $5 cheeseburger and fries or try the Eggs Benny or stuffed
French toast at their Saturday brunch. The caf also offers an
extensive gluten-free menu.
Another popular option is the THREE KNIGHTS STEAK
HOUSE, which is renowned not surprisingly for its steaks.
Theyre cut from high quality AAA Angus beef, fully aged for a
minimum of 21 days. Pizza, burgers, pasta, and seafood options
are also available.
For lighter fare and specialty coffees, head to the COBBLESTONE CAF for breakfast or lunch. Try the soup of the day
dill pickle is a favourite or one of their fresh salads. You can also take home one of their bottled vinaigrettes, although itll be hard to decide between maple cider, lemon thyme, and strawberry mint.
GET OUT
Just a short drive from Drayton Valley, the Eagle Point Blue Rapids parks system offers visitors a chance to explore endless trails of lush boreal forest along
the North Saskatchewan River Valley. EAGLE POINT PROVINCIAL PARK
offers more than 19.6 square kilometres of protected lands north of the highway 22 bridge over the North Saskatchewan River while the BLUE RAPIDS
PROVINCIAL RECREATION AREA provides more than 36.4 square kilometres
south of the highway 22 bridge. There are ample opportunities for recreational activities such as
canoeing, fishing, cross-country skiing, hiking, camping, archery, horseback riding, and more.
If golf is more your thing, head to the DRAYTON VALLEY GOLF CLUB, a par 71, 18-hole course
consisting of broad fairways and bentgrass greens. Or if youre feeling extra adventurous, get soaring
with the AIR ADVENTURE FLIGHT SCHOOL: try out a paraglider or an ultralight hang glider trike for
an experience youre unlikely to forget.
REST
After a long day, rest your head at some of
AHLAs member properties in Drayton Valley:
Drayton Valley Hotel
5028 52 Ave
p: 780-542-5351
Lakeview Inns & Suites Drayton Valley
4302 50 St
p: 780-542-3200
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Drayton Valley
5001 Brougham Dr
p: 780-515-9888
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DSI helps to improve profitability by delivering steady pour quality from the keg to
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Speaking PERSONALLY
28 Mainstay
Fall 2016
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www.ahla.ca
develop our own culture. Part of our culture is this belief in what we call potential
over experience, so we look to see if somebody has the potential to do well and if we
believe in them, we give them the experience. We get these people who are super
engaged and dynamic and all we have to do
is focus them, channel them, train them,
and great things happen.
Fall 2016
Mainstay 29
Parting SHOT
Alberta Icon
Earth pyramids, fairy chimneys, tent rocks: most Albertans probably know
them better as hoodoos. These internationally recognizable geological formations caused by the effects of erosion from water, wind, and frost c ontinue
to attract thousands of visitors to the Badlands every year. The protected
Hoodoos recreation area, located approximately 15 minutes east of Drumheller
on Highway 10, is a guaranteed location to view them but smaller versions of
these striking sandstone pillars can be spotted all over the Badlands.
30 Mainstay
Fall 2016
www.ahla.ca
Commercial Insurance
Thom Proch
1-800-665-8990 ext. 7313
thom.proch@westernfgis.ca
Employee Benefits
Nolan Friesen
1-800-665-8990 ext. 7215
nolan.friesen@westernfgis.ca
201-600 Empress St
Winnipeg, MB R3G 0R5
www.HIPInsurance.ca