*Please check out of your hotel room before 8:00 AM and bring your luggage to the Oval Room.

Expect a warm welcome from our conference hosts, Melina Nacos and James Wolfe, followed by opening remarks with Lydia Chen and Jeff Hyslop.

With the rules of geopolitics being rewritten, the global economy is in unfamiliar and unpleasant territory. Traditional pillars of trade security and interest rate stability are compromised. The pre-pandemic calm and complacency have been replaced with complexity, confusion and chaos.

An update on national issues that are influencing the hotel industry and tourism economy. Learn more about the association's work to engage policymakers and the opportunities for hotels across the country to get involved.

This session examines human trafficking through a Canadian lens and clarifies the role the hospitality sector plays in both risk and prevention. The presentation concludes with a focused framework for hospitality sector allyship, addressing training and awareness, operational policies, procurement practices, security coordination, and sector partnerships.

*This is your final opportunity for hotel check out and ensure your luggage is in the Oval Room (tagged for the Banff buses).

Olympic gold medalist and former Team Canada captain Cassie Campbell-Pascall brings a powerful perspective on leadership, teamwork, and performing under pressure. Drawing from both championship victories and the hard lessons of early defeat, Cassie shares what it takes to lead consistently, recover from setbacks, and keep teams motivated through challenge and change. With warmth, and practical insight, she connects high-performance leadership to the realities facing hotel General Managers today: inspiring accountability, navigating adversity, and bringing out the best in people when it matters most.

Ten years on, the story isn’t the transaction — it’s what we’ve built since: a national portfolio, stronger operational discipline, and a culture that keeps raising the bar across brands, markets, and communities. George takes us back to honour the journey, celebrate the people and our progress, and set confidence for the next chapter. A panel of GM’s share their stories from the frontlines, navigating change, major renovations, protecting culture through transformations and maintaining operating performance.

This interactive session will place hotel General Managers and organization leaders in the ownership driver seat, using a realistic hotel investment simulation to connect evolving market impacts with financial performance and asset valuation. All participants will navigate investment scenarios, and the holistic decisions hotel owners must balance — including hotel asset class focus, brand affiliation, debt financing, capital planning, and overall long-term strategy. Working in teams, participants will compete on driving the greatest equity multiple increase. For GM's and the Corporate Team, this session allows for incredible learning and team building.

Scenic journey from Calgary to Banff, Alberta

Arrival at your assigned Banff hotel for express check-in. This is your time to change into your Western Flair for the evening celebration.

We have a spectacular evening planned at the Banff Park Ranch. Just 10 minutes from downtown Banff, you will be in awe upon arrival with sweeping 360-degree mountain views and lush forest. Mingle over cocktails then head into the roundhouse where a massive roaring fire, casual dinner service and live music await.

Please refer to the Activities page for specific timing and instructions related to your confimed activity.

After your activities, please join us for a relaxed, food-station–style lunch anytime between 11:00AM – 3:00PM. We will be offering continuous food service, so feel free to relax, mingle and nibble, browse the local shops or explore town before we board buses at 3:15PM for Calgary.

Your luggage will be picked up from Royal Canadian Lodge and be loaded on the bus.

Transportation back to Calgary, Alberta

Safe travels home! Thank you for attending the 2026 GM Conference.