Timely topics, Big Daddy Tazz and heavy trade show traffic

Photographs courtesy of 100 Acre Woods Photography.

WINNIPEG — The 91st annual Manitoba Hotel Association (MHA) Convention, held at the Victoria Inn on October 21 and 22, was another successful gathering of hoteliers from across Manitoba.

The Convention kicked off with the association’s Annual General Meeting, featuring a video greeting from Premier Brian Pallister and updates from MHA President & CEO Scott Jocelyn and MHA Board Chair Justin Schinkel.

A series of educational sessions followed that morning on a variety of timely topics including tourism, human resources, crisis management, and customer service.

The association was pleased to have greetings from the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg from Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Blaine Pedersen and deputy mayor Markus Chambers.

In the afternoon, Manitoba 150 co-chair Stuart Murray provided an overview of plans to celebrate this important milestone in 2020, and Alana Baker, director of government relations for the Hotel Association of Canada, gave an informative update on HAC’s work on the national stage.

Breakout sessions included a market update from HVS and a presentation from SAFE Work Manitoba on preventing workplace harassment in the hotel industry.

During the final educational session, senior leaders from Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries provided liquor and gaming updates and answered questions.

In the evening, delegates enjoyed a fun filled evening of refreshments and entertainment at the beautiful and historic Metropolitan Entertainment Centre in downtown Winnipeg. We began with a brewers reception sponsored by Labatt Breweries and then enjoyed a great dinner and entertainment from comedian Big Daddy Tazz.

Tuesday morning we gathered again for our Keynote Breakfast where Scott Jocelyn presented MHA Quarter Century awards to hotel owners and managers who have been engaged in the industry for 25 years or more.

Next, Bruce MacKay became the 61st Life Member of the Manitoba Hotel Association, in recognition of his years of service on the MHA board of directors, including three years as chair.

After the awards presentations, Tim Hague, winner of the first season of The Amazing Race Canada, shared his inspiring message of perseverance with delegates.

MHA & MRFA Trade Show

The rest of the day was devoted to the MHA & MRFA Trade Show.

Three years ago, the MHA and Manitoba Restaurant & Foodservices Association (MRFA) joined together to present the MHA & MRFA Show, one large trade show for hotels and restaurants.

All 3 years of this of this new combined event brought heavy traffic – more than 750 owners and managers – from restaurants and hotels all across Manitoba. Thanks to the support of the supplier community, the expanded show floor has sold out each year.

More than $7,000 in prizes were awarded by the MHA, the MRFA, and the great suppliers around the trade show floor.

The MHA & MRFA Show has grown to become the largest hospitality trade show in Western Canada, both in the number of booths (189 this year) and in attendance, attracting hotels, motels, lodges, restaurants and bars from all across Manitoba and Northwest Ontario.

Please mark your calendar for next year’s MHA Convention and MHA & MRFA Trade Show on October 19 and 20, 2020.