EXECUTIVE ADVOCACY COUNCIL

SHAPING THE FUTURE

PURPOSE

The Executive Advocacy Council is an exclusive forum for Hotels Canada corporate members to help shape the association’s advocacy agenda and advance policy priorities impacting Canada’s hotel industry. The Council is comprised of leaders representing hotel owners, brands, management companies, and hotel associations from across Canada.

Executive Advocacy Council

MEMBERS

Anil Taneja
Managing Director
Palm Holdings
Owner
Bill Stone
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor
Knightstone Hotel Group Inc.
Owner
Brian Leon
Chief Executive Officer
Choice Hotels Canada
Brand
Carol Fowler
Senior Manager, Federal & International Government Affairs
Marriott of Canada
Brand
Chris Yeung
Executive Director
Edmonton Hotels Destination Marketing
City Association
Chris Baddeley
Senior Vice President
Accent Inns / Hotel Zed
Owner
David Ferguson
Director, Development
Coast Hotels
Brand
Debbie Morris
Director, Member Relations
Hotel Association of Vancouver
City Association
Gord Johnson
Senior Vice-President, Operations
Silverbirch Hotels and Resorts
Owner
Hasheel Lodhia
Executive VP Design & Development
JM Hospitality
Owner
Irwin Prince
President & Chief Operating Officer
Realstar Hotel Services Corp.
Brand
Joel Hollingsworth
Senior Director, Hotel Operations
Canalta (SMH Management Inc.)
Owner
John Nicholson
Vice President, Hotels and Restaurants
Listel Hospitality Group / Bosa Properties
Owner
Jonathan Lund
Regional Vice President of Operations
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Brand
Kevin Gilhooly
Chief Operating Officer
Sandman Hotel Group (Northland Properties)
Owner
Krista Leclair
Chief Executive Officer
Kingston Accommodation Partners
City Association
Melissa French
Chief Operating Officer
Silver Hotel Group
Owner
Minaz Rahemtulla
Managing Director
LHM Canada
Owner
Neelu Toor
Chief Strategy Officer & General Counsel
Manga Hotels
Owner
Nigel Lucas
Executive Vice President, Franchising & Development
Superior Lodging Corp
Owner
Ricardo Salvini
Vice President of Operations
The Hotel Association of Prince Edward Island Inc.
Provincial Association
Robert Bruins
Vice President, Hotels
Oxford Properties Group
Owner
Robin Cumine
Vice President, Operations & Corporate Development
Aimbridge Hospitality (Evolution)
Management
Ryan Cochrane
Director of Operations
MasterBUILT Hotels Ltd.
Owner
Sahad Kassam
Managing Partner
Synvest Capital Corporation
Owner
Sameer Sharma
President
Crown Group of Hotels
Owner
Sandra Jackle
President & CEO
Regina Hotel Association
City Association
Sara Anghel
President & CEO
Greater Toronto Hotel Association
City Association
Scott Richer
VP, Real Estate & Development Canada
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Brand
Shane Downey
Managing Director
Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
Owner
Stéphane Pelletier
Regional General Manager
RIMAP Hospitality Service Inc.
Owner
Stephanie Pocha
Chief Executive Officer
Discover Saskatoon
City Association
Steve Ball
President
Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association
City Association
Thomas Jacob
Managing Director
K2 Group
Owner
Tony Elenis
President & CEO
Ontario Restaurant, Hotel & Motel Association
Provincial Association
Tracy Douglas
President & CEO
Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association
Provincial Association
Véronyque Tremblay
Présidente directrice-générale
Association Hôtellerie Québec
Provincial Association

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On September 27, the European Union’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive comes into effect. Under the Directive, businesses will face increased scrutiny regarding environmental and sustainability claims made to European consumers, with greater emphasis on ensuring that such claims are credible, transparent, and appropriately substantiated. The Directive also restrict…

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Hotels Canada and the American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing a strengthened partnership to a…

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International Hotel Industry Coalition Calls for Long-Term United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Extension After Successful 2026 World Cup

OTTAWA, ON | CIUDAD DE MEXICO | WASHINGTON, D.C., July 20, 2026 – Following the conclusion of the 2026 tri-national World Cup games, the American Hotel & …

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