Ottawa, ON, March 9, 2012 – On Tuesday, March 6th the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) celebrated its eighth annual afternoon of industry achievements at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel, with its Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence Program.

The Hall of Fame Awards Program was developed by the HAC to recognize those of its members (individuals, companies or properties) that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to Canada’s lodging industry.

“The goal of HAC’s awards program is to reward strong standards in the industry that will enable this country to remain competitive,” said Tony Pollard, HAC President. “We are pleased to honour this year’s winners, whom we feel represent some of the finest examples of professionalism, quality and perfection.”

Following greetings from The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State for Small Business and Tourism, where he congratulated the entrepreneurs of Canada’s hotel industry, three Hall of Fame awards were presented under the categories of Humanitarian, Human Resources and Energy & Environment.

In the category of Humanitarian the award was presented to Jim Hill and the Sawridge Inn & Conference Centres Slave Lake and Edmonton South in recognition of their outstanding efforts during the Slave Lake fires.

Michele Cosh and her team from the Westin Hotel Ottawa were awarded in the category of Human Resources for their marvellous service to the Canadian hospitality industry.

The Energy and Environment Award was presented to the Groupe Robin and the Hotel M - Holiday Inn Express & Suites Saint-Hyacinthe which is Canada’s first LEED certified hotel, the very first LEED-certified Holiday Inn in North America and is the first establishment of more than 50 rooms to be awarded as a 5 GREEN KEY property by the HAC’s Green Key Global Program in Quebec. Every aspect of the hotel from has sustainable development in mind.

For more information on the Hotel Association of Canada’s Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence program, or for information and photos on this year’s winners, please contact the HAC.

About the Hotel Association of Canada
The Hotel Association of Canada is the national voice and resource for the Hotel and Lodging Industry in Canada. For nearly 100 years, it has worked to enhance the prosperity of the Canadian Hotel and Lodging Industry through strong member engagements, effective government advocacy, and the provision of value added programs and services. The Hotel Association represents more than 8,400 hotels, motels and resorts that encompass the $16 billion Canadian hotel industry which employs 284,000 people across Canada.
www.hotelassociation.ca.