THE WINNERS’ CIRCLE September 8, 2020

Kristy Adams wins NISOD Award

Kristy Adams, Humber College’s program coordinator for Hospitality and Tourism Operations Management, has been selected for the (National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development) NISOD Excellence Award. She was nominated by acting associate dean, Denise Gardner and associate dean, Kristan Lingard.

Since 1991, the NISOD has recognized community and technical college faculty, administrators, and staff for their achievements and contributions to their institutions.

“I was pleasantly surprised when I was checking my emails because I wasn’t expecting to see this great news. I initially thought it was an email from NISOD asking me to write a paper, but then I read Carol Appleby’s name [director of professional learning, Centre for Teaching and Learning] in the message and clenched my chest because I knew this was something much bigger,” says Adams.

“I love this job and that is 100 per cent the truth. My interaction with students in and out of the classroom is an honour itself to see our students excel. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to combine my industry experience and bring events to campus and introduce students to industry professionals and opportunities,” says Adams. “Before Humber, I was the president and chief operating officer of Howard Johnson Franchise Canada Inc. and realized I wanted to do more with students.”

Adams will be accepting the award in Austin, Texas at the NISOD’s annual conference in May. This annual event brings together more than 1,200 individuals and Excellence Awards recipients will receive their medallions alongside other educational leaders.

Motel 6 voted best budget brand by USA Today

TORONTO —Realstar Hospitality is thrilled to announce that Motel 6 has been named the “Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand ” by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. As founders of economy lodging, Motel 6 has been best known for cleanliness, affordability, friendliness and dependability over the past 58 years.

Easily recognized by those travelling the wide-open road, Motel 6 focuses on providing guests with everything they need and nothing they don’t. Hotels feature complimentary Wi-Fi, expanded cable TV and pet-friendly rooms at no extra cost, while many also boast indoor/outdoor pools, free parking and guest laundry facilities.

“It is no surprise that travellers voted Motel 6 the Best Budget-Friendly Hotel Brand in the United States,” said Irwin Prince, president and COO, Realstar Hospitality. “It is a true testament of the hard work and dedication Motel 6 team members showcase every day.”

To ensure guests feel confident when staying at any of the brand’s locations across the U.S. and Canada, Motel 6 recently announced the Clean@6 initiative. Since the onset of the global health crisis, Motel 6 has partnered with medical experts and franchise owners to adopt a thoughtful and proactive approach to serve guests and protect against the spread of viruses. The approach includes enhanced cleaning and sanitization protocols, as well as physical distancing in all common areas of hotels.

A panel of travel experts and 10Best.com editors select USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Award nominees, and the final top 10 winners are then chosen by the readers’ popular vote.

To book a stay at one of the nearly 1,400 Motel 6 or Studio 6 properties across the U.S. and Canada, visit www.motel6.com or www.staystudio6.com .

Sharing IHG’s social responsibility initiatives

ATLANTA — Throughout the pandemic, IHG has focused on remaining true to its purpose and values, and committed to playing its part in the global relief efforts.

Here in Canada, The InterContinental Toronto Centre has done several donations throughout the pandemic, including donations of Byredo amenities to Dixon Hall. This includes over 2,200 shampoos, conditioners and shower gels, plus 1,100 shaving and dental kits. The team has also given to the Canadian Centre for Men and Families as part of a Father’s day drive.

The Holiday Inn Express St-Jean Sur Richelieu has supported a non-for-profit, “J’ai faim a tout les jours”. They have been donating gently-used linen to the charity. Some of this linen was passed onto a family whose house was recently ravaged by a fire.

Earlier in the pandemic the InterContinental Toronto Yorkville was hosting vulnerable groups at the property. The property team has also been going over and above to support these guests as they transition into and out of the hotel and into new homes. They have even been doing surprise birthday party celebrations to make guests feel at home.

At the corporate level, the company’s broad response efforts have included the launch of a global effort to support food bank and food provision charities across 70 countries (including No Kid Hungry in the U.S., and the Canadian Food Bank), as well as a recently concluded effort with #FirstRespondersFirst which helped to provide free accommodation at hotels across the United States for frontline COVID-19 first responders.

In addition, IHG’s response has included:

• Repurposing hotels to provide accommodation to frontline workers, military personnel and vulnerable members of society;
• Supporting local communities through charity partnerships;
• Making food donations to support frontline workers and vulnerable members in the community; and
• Working with industry partners to advocate for our owners at the highest levels of government.