Vacant Ready

Coast Plaza Stanley Park Going Condo?

2007-07-27T15:07:10-08:00

Is the Coast Plaza converting to condos when their new Coal Harbour property opens?

Foreign Applicant

2007-04-23T23:38:18-08:00

Hi there! Just want to ask if you know some hotel industry who are willing to hire a foreign applicant from the Philippines. Need your help pleaseee..Thanx

Top 5 Reasons for Meeting Planner Site Selection

2007-12-04T11:35:46-08:00

Knowland Group Research Reveals That Price Isn�t Everything

From unique meeting needs to prestigious reputations, Knowland reveals the top five reasons behind the �why� of site selection. The results may not be what you think!

1. Location
Planes, Trains, and�Nightclubs
A coordinator for a northwest sports association explained to Knowland researchers their only requirement is that the event be located near downtown nightlife. �We have a large group that likes to enjoy post meeting activities,� she states, stressing the importance of keeping the attendants happy.

Whether the criteria includes nearby golf, proximity to an airport, or indulging in local culture, Knowland reveals that location is the most important factor for 44% of event planners.

2. Successful Past Experience
Disaster Averted
During a training session for a bioengineering company, one planner recalled having miscalculated the guests to food ratio which caused a disastrous situation. The kitchen was unable to accommodate the rather large oversight; however, quick thinking by the hotel event director resulted in a speedy delivery by a local pizzeria. The potential disaster was avoided, and the guests left smiling due to the savvy ability and service of the hotel staff.
Knowland research reveals that 21% of meeting planners surveyed base their location selections upon previous successful experiences.

3. Unique Meeting Focus
Nuclear Science, Blown Glass, and �007�
One thing frequently cited by meeting planners is that the unique focus of their events drives the site selection process. When planning their semi-annual seminars on glass blowing, one planner complained of a difficult time locating a site that met his strict criteria. �The use of flammable gas indoors and an extra large meeting space are critical to our demonstrations,� he commented. Another group reported frustrations at having only one electrical outlet for an entire group of over 200 nuclear scientists. On another occasion the coordinator for a �007� conference revealed that a �unique urban, black space� was essential for her themed events.

Whether the event requires flammable gas, electrical outlets, or meeting space style, Knowland research reveals that a meeting�s unique focus determines its location for 17% of event planners surveyed.

4. Reputation
Keeping up with the Joneses�The reputation of a hotel can mean everything for the turnout of our events,� said the meeting coordinator for a southern beauty academy. This coordinator further revealed that she selected hotels based solely on the recommendations given by peers within her community.

This particular meeting planner illustrates that referrals, references, and reputation are included in the top criteria for 12% of meeting planners surveyed.

5. Cost
Cutting Corners
Prices and budgets make up the fifth most important criteria for site selection � causing meeting planners to find creative ways to cut costs. One planner commented that, upon experiencing harsh budget cuts, they downgraded the location and completely removed the food portion of their dinnertime awards ceremony. Another meeting planner recalled eliminating ground transportation costs by relocating to airport hotels and having attendees walk to the location�leading to tired and unhappy guests.

When it comes to price tags, only 6% of coordinators listed cost among the most important criteria for selecting event location.

About Knowland Group � Headquartered in Salisbury, MD, The Knowland Group is a premier provider of sales and marketing products and services to the hospitality industry worldwide. Poised as a leader in the industry, Knowland stands a cut above the rest in over 70 markets within the United States, Canada and beyond. Single minded in its goal to add client value, Knowland is a proven innovator, consistently striving to develop market changing products and services. For more information, visit http://www.KnowlandGroup.com or call 410.860.2270.

Any ideas on finding out about hiring at a new unfinished property?

2007-06-07T04:03:42-08:00

They are building a new Hampton Inn in my city and I am more than interested in seeing what they have to offer, they are reportedly opening in about 3 months but so far there is nothing on local job boards, the Hampton Inn website, the newspapers, or hcareers. There is NO link on the page to apply for Canadian jobs, if you click on the “Outside US” option it takes you to European/Asian locations. I have combed the website, site map, followed every link in circles, etc-nothing. I would really like to find out more information and I know they should be hiring soon, I would think they would be interested in getting experienced staff quickly, with 19 years in the industry I would hope to god I am an asset to someone. I even emailed the Director of Regional Franchising, there was a contact list for that on the site- no reply. I’m just extremely frustrated, I need to make some career decisions ASAP and would like to know am I staying at or going from my current property, should I hang on another year and move out of the province etc, I know I want out but I want a logical progression upward in my career options, and I can’t really wait until the place is open to make my choices!

Sofitel Coming to Vancouver?

2007-11-08T09:08:11-08:00

I heard that Accor is planning a Sofitel for Vancouver, projected opening date 2010-2012. Know anything about this?

American wanting to get a job in Vancouver..

2007-10-28T12:06:21-08:00

I currently live in the US, and work for the Hyatt Regency. I have spent hours reading about the Vancouver hotels and opportunities, as well as on the web sites about working in Canada. All the hotel jobs posted say you must have a work permit or will not be considered. To get a temporary permit to work in Canada, you must have a job offer....so it is a never ending circle with no way to get a job?
I saw researched the way to get a skilled visa to immigrate to Canada, but it says it may take years!

My girlfriend moved there a few months ago, and we are NOT about to get married so I can move there.

Is my only hope to get a transfer with my hotel or apply for immigration and wait years??

Are there no hotels that will consider an experienced and successful sales manager? Should I send my resume anyway?

Please help and advise....

Brandon

Job search Advice for a newcomer to Canada

2007-10-17T01:23:36-08:00

Hello,

I am migrating to Canada in the month of November 2007 from India and therefore have been applying for jobs in hotels mainly in accomodations.I have been visiting couple of websites,registering and uploading my resume.I have applied to quite a few of them esp. at the management level as I have 10 years of experience in this field, working with different hotels in different countries.

So far theres been no luck.I also read on the internet that there is a resume distribution service too which distributes your resume at a minimal charge.Will this work?

I do have the immigration visa in my hand but I dont have a job.I am really looking forward to join a esteemed organisation and take up a job ASAP.As of now I have given my choice of city as Toronto but I am willing to relocate to other provinces if I get a good offer.I have also been reading the newspaper classifieds regarding the same but theres no opening mentioned there.Also I dont know what salary to ask for as I dont have a idea of cost of living and what salary the hotels generally offer in Canada?

I feel I am stuck and I need someone’s advice and suggestion as to how to get it right ?

Please feel free to put in your ideas,suggestion etc .

Thank you for taking out your time and reading my blog.

Relocation Advice - When the new city doesn’t feel right

2007-09-12T11:25:57-08:00

VIEWER SUBMITTED QUESTION - From the Vacant Ready Blog

“I have moved to a new city for a job with my hotel company. 3 months has passed and I’m not liking the scene. Although work is good, I want to relocate back to my previous city. Should I sacrifice my 10 year relationship with my hotel company to find a job back in the city I just left?

Yes there are other factors, such as house and mortgage, relocation expenses & settlement allowances to pay back. I’m very loyal to my hotel brand and would like to stay, but If I have to leave the company to be where I’m happy in my life, I am willing to consider it. However, I would not want to sacrifice any work opportunities in the future.

What advice can you give?”

Fairmont sells Delta

2007-10-04T14:38:30-08:00

Wow, the hospitality scene really is like some big, extended, semi-incestuous family. I used to work for Delta in Saint John, NB, and the Residence Inn in Vancouver. Now I hear since leaving Delta, they were sold to some BC Income Trust or something, and I read that this company also just bought CHIP REIT, which owned the RIBM I worked at. Now I work for Wyndham worldwide, although I was looking at Hampton Inn as a potential employer as well. Hampton Inn is part of the Hilton Chain, which was purchased by Blackstone this summer. Blackstone used to own the Wyndham brand, but sold the chain to Cendant a year or two ago, keeping some properties which were rebranded as LXR resorts on the high end and LaQuinta inns on the lower end. Now all it would need to complete the circle is for Blackstone to buy the BCIT or Fairmont to buy Wyndham and it would get even more complex.
Big companies seem to buy and sell chains, names or actual properties like people trade sports cards.

Sutton Place Voted B.C.’s Leading Hotel

2007-10-04T09:20:08-08:00

THE SUTTON PLACE HOTEL IS VOTED “BRITISH COLUMBIA’S LEADING
HOTEL” AT THE 2007 WORLD TRAVEL AWARDS

VANCOUVER, BC, October 4, 2007 - The results of the 14th annual World Travel
Awards are in and The Sutton Place Hotel is pleased to announce that it has been
voted �British Columbia�s Leading Hotel� for 2007. The awards were held in New York
City on Monday, September 17th and were attended by more than 250 top executives
from the travel industry.

�We are honoured to have been selected for such a prestigious award and to be ranked
amongst some of the finest properties in North America. This achievement is another
tribute to our dedicated staff who strive to make every guest experience a personalized
stay at The Sutton Place Hotel�, says General Manager, John Sandor.

The Sutton Place Hotel has maintained the AAA Five Diamond certification for 18
consecutive years. Recently, a multi-million dollar renovation was completed in La Grande
Residence portion of the hotel, updating 164 long term stay apartments, the Jacuzzi,
pool and lobby area, with much consideration given to environmentally friendly practices.
At the end of October, the long-awaited Sutton Place Wine Merchant, an international
retail wine boutique, will open its doors. It is because of these continuous updates, along
with flawless service and world-class amenities that The Sutton Place Hotel has been
chosen as one of our province�s leading properties.

The World Travel Awards were established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the
achievements found in all sectors of the global travel industry. Candidates for nomination are
based upon the previous years voting for the world�s most comprehensive travel awards with
trophies awarded in all areas of the industry.

- 30 -

Vancouver’s Five Diamond Sutton Place Hotel is owned and managed by The Sutton Place Grande
Hotels Group, with additional luxury properties in Chicago, Edmonton and Toronto.

For further information, please contact:

Elaine Drever | Marketing Coordinator | The Sutton Place Hotel Vancouver | Phone: 604-642-2963
845 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2K6 | Fax: 604-642-2926 |

Introducing Sutton Prestige, our guest loyalty program. Join now and earn Prestige Points at The Sutton Place Hotel properties in Chicago, Edmonton, Toronto and Vancouver. Visit http://www.suttonplace.com and join today.