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OHC2022
Schedule of Events

November 1, 2022

Beverage Alcohol Supply Chain Challenges

5:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Beverage Alcohol Supply Chain Challenges
Addressing How Current Global Supply Chain Challenges is Impacting the Beverage Alcohol Industry 

Nick Nanos, Chief Supply Chain Officer and Senior Vice-President at LCBO will share an update on the current global supply chain challenges and how it’s impacting the beverage alcohol industry including an overview of the current risks, mitigation strategies and path forward.

Opening Reception

6:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Opening Reception & OHI Update

We can't wait to see you on Tuesday November 1 at our Opening Reception of the Ontario Hospitality Conference at 6pm.  We look forward to sharing some exciting news about  the Re-Launch of OHI. The re-launch of OHI (Ontario Hostelry Institute) keeps us dedicated to the advancement of future workforce needs and development of the industry’s profession.

 

Celebrating Chef John Higgins!

As a leader in our hospitality industry, we look forward to raising a glass to honour Chef John Higgins as he retires from George Brown College.

November 2, 2022

7:45 AM - 8:30 AM 

Registration & Breakfast

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

State Of The Hospitality Industry

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

State of the Hospitality Industry
Current, Outlook & How to Navigate the Future

The foodservice and accommodation sectors have been significantly impacted by the affect of the pandemic and while business has been rebounding, the future of the sectors will be forever changed. Hear from leading experts who will share analysis, projections and recommendations to make strategic planning decisions and considerations for your business going forward and get answers to your questions. 

Key Speakers:

Robert Carter - StratonHunter Group

Emile Gourieux - STR

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM

Networking & Marketplace Break

Workforce 3 R's

10:45 AM - 12:00 PM

Workforce 3 R’s
Reinventing Talent - Recruit, Retain, Retrain

People have always been at the core of the hospitality industry’s value proposition to our guests, clients and customers. As businesses eye success in 2022 and beyond, we must double down on our investment in positive workplace practices which include recruitment, retention and retraining. True markers of a sustainable future include economic, socioeconomic and environmental elements. Building a sustainable workforce is an essential component of building sustainable success. Simply put, we need to attract more people to choose careers in our industry to support business and customer service needs. Once there, we need to keep them in place without the amount of turnover currently being experienced. And along the way, we need to improve the skills and productivity of our teams. We have assembled a dynamic panel of experts with direct experience in this field to share their views, strategies and approaches operators can implement to improve their practices in terms of staffing and leadership. 

Facilitator: 

Joe Baker - Joe Baker & Co.  / ORHMA 

 

Key Speakers:

Jane Yrenaya - Franklin Covey 

Philip Mondor - Tourism HR Canada 

Andrea Niicholson - Butchies INC. 

Jeff St. Denis - Culture Catalyst 

Key Business Cost Elements Keep Increasing

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Key Business Cost Elements Keep Increasing
Insurance, Energy, Borrowing, Property Tax - Outlook and Strategies

Aside from consumables and labour costs, these three elements of business needs have caused common and widespread frustrations over the past years in terms of cost escalation and these challenges are expected to continue.  We will update information in all three areas with leading advisors from each including Q&A to help you make decisions and examine options. 

Key Speakers: 

Dr. Altaf Sovani - Alzen Consulting Inc. 

Paul Weingartner - ECNG Energy Group 

Cameron Woof - CWB Granchise Finance 

Jason Crane - Altus Group

Jason Wiesner - Western Financial Group 

Municipal Accommodation Tax

12:00 PM - 12:30 PM

Municipal Accommodation Tax   
Making the Most of Opportunities

This session will provide an opportunity to hear of best practices from different regions across Ontario.  Highlights of what has worked and what hasn’t worked that will shape and influence regional strategies and make the most of opportunities.  A deeper dive into what amendments are needed to support a healthier destination and hotel successes will be shared.  

Facilitator: 

Minto Schneider - Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)  

 

Key Speakers: 

Steve Ball - Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association (OGHA) 

Krista LeClair - Kingston Accommodation Partners (KAP)

Jesse Hamilton - Deerhurst Resort

12:30 PM - 1:40 PM

Networking LUNCH & Marketplace Break

1:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Temporary Foreign Workers

Temporary Foreign Workers
A Key Strategy for Staffing Needs

With ongoing pressure to find and retain staff, Temporary Foreign Workers present a strong option. While programs for our industry to secure foreign workers has often cumbersome and challenging, changes have been made and continue to be adjusted in recognition of this source of needed labour, particularly our industry’s need.  Learn the benefits of this approach, the realities in terms of efforts, costs, and responsibilities related to use of this approach and gain insight into how and why to consider if this is a fit for your business. 

Key Speakers: 

Cathryn Sawicki - Serotte Law Canada

Grant Carter - Living Water Resorts 

Christopher Chevrier - Employment Social Development Canada 

Robots, Tech Advances & Apps

1:45 PM - 2:15 PM

Robots, Tech Advances and Apps  
How New Technologies Can Help Operators Improve Productivity and Reduce Costs

Learn about what is happening in terms of development of various tools to improve productivity, reduce labour needs and manage your business more effectively.  The pandemic created an accelerated implementation of various new innovations allowing hospitality operators a rapid transition to online menus, integrated ordering, reservations, gratuity administration, line ups and even robots to manage businesses with greater efficiencies. Discover how these various technologies can have an impact on your operations and see some examples of their potential impact.  

Key Speakers: 

Amodini Chhabra - Compass Digital Ventures 

Greg Staley - E-Pro Bot 

Marilyn Schaffer - XTM Inc.

Dakx Turcotte - UEAT 

The Broken Supply Chain

2:15 PM - 3:00 PM

The Broken Supply Chain
Causes, Outlook and Mitigation

Until recently “Supply Chain” was a term used mainly by procurement specialists to understand elements of supply and logistics. Now this term is part of everyday industry discussion and consideration. Challenges in effectively sourcing items have been experienced across foodservice and accommodation with growing regularity while costs of goods continues to escalate. What are the main causes of the challenges in different areas including food, alcohol beverage and general supplies, what suppliers are doing to manage through the situation, and what does the future hold? A panel of experts in sourcing, distribution, and supply will provide insight and strategies to reduce the impact of ongoing and growing challenges in availability and cost for operators. 

Key Speakers: 

Garth W. Ruggiero - Atlific Hotels 

Jamie Berryman - Sysco Canada

Todd Barclay - Recipe Unlimited 

Vito Curalli -Hilton Supply Management 

Joe Cooney - Guest Supply Canada 

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Networking & Marketplace Break

Prices Are Up, Quality of Guest Experience is Down

3:30 PM - 4:45 PM

Prices Are Up, Quality of Guest Experience Is Down 
Balancing the Consumer Value Proposition

While the air travel industry has been receiving a tremendous amount of media coverage in regard to this issue, our industry’s challenge is similar.  Pricing for dining and lodging have escalated to keep up with growing costs and will continue to, but the quality of the experience is often not delivered at past levels causing consumers to question their plans and investments with our industry in terms of value. Shortages and levels of service of staff, the quality and choice of food & beverage offerings, and reduced housekeeping services, are just some of many growing consumer concerns and ones that could have devastating impact on our industry if not addressed    Having guests complete their visits with a positive perception including value may not be as easy as in the past, but it is an absolute requirement for the ongoing success of any hospitality business.  A panel of leaders will share approaches to address actionable and practical methods for delivering positive guest experiences though various strategies while still delivering a profitable guest transaction for the business. 

Key Speakers:

Mo Aladin - Peer Guidance Group

Jonathan Holliwell - Marriott Canada 

Margot Swindall - Technomic 

Gunjan Kahlon - Wyndham Hotels & Resorts 

Juanita Dickson - Gusto 54 Restaurant Group 

4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Closing Remarks
 

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