Deb Elless is TIAC's Tourism Employee of the Year; PEI gets its first Les Clefs d'Or concierge; Gupta siblings launch angel investment firm to aid innovative startups.

NASHVILLE — Best Western Plus Sawridge Suites in Fort McMurray, Alta., won the MK Guertin, Design and Heroic Hospitality Awards at the Best Western Convention held recently in Nashville.

Alan Richards, a 40-year veteran of the Canadian hotel industry, passed away suddenly in August. He had countless friends, acquaintances, customers, and staff from coast to coast who experienced his unique openness and…

TORONTO — Choice Hotels Canada has promoted three members of its corporate head office team. These include long-term employees, Jason Redding and Diana Kuhnberg, as well as William Ng.

Soraya Gonzales has been promoted at Interval International, Alicia Dill is now senior vice-president at Worldhotels, and Michael Sieger has joined Nova Hotels as vice-president.

WALLACE, N.S. — Clee Varon has been named director of business development at Fox Harb’r Resort. Varon brings 30 years of Canadian hotel and resort management experience to her position.

TORONTO — Dan Young is now marketing manager, business events at Tourism Toronto, the official destination marketing organization for Toronto’s tourism industry.

RADIUM HOT SPRINGS, B.C. — True Key Hotels & Resorts today announced the appointment of Sheri Madill as general manager of Sooke Harbour Resort & Marina.

MISSISSAUGA — Marriott Hotels of Canda have announced three new appointments at The Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, The Sheraton Gateway Hotel and The Westin Ottawa.

Lou Biffis, the president and founder of Nottawasaga Resort, received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross Medal, at a ceremony held at St. Michael’s Cathedral Basilica in Toronto.