BCHA
Awards of Excellence

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE FINALISTS AND WINNERS OF THE AWARDS!

The BCHA Awards of Excellence celebrates the exceptional individuals who set the standard for excellence in British Columbia's hospitality industry. These oustanding leaders drive innovation, inspire their teams, and elevate the guest experience through their dedication and passion. Finalists and winners were celebrated at the prestigious BCHA Awards of Excellence Gala, held on the final evening of the BCHA Summit, at the Westin Bayshore on April 23rd.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

Applicable to all categories in addition to category-specific eligibility noted in the sections below.
  • Nominees can be self-nominated or nominated by other organizations/individuals.
  • Nominees must have been operating/working in the hospitality industry in British Columbia in 2024/2025.
  • Nominations are open to all members of the accommodation sector. 
  • Properties must be current members of BCHA.
  • BCHA board members may be nominated but not self-nominated. 

Award Categories and Finalists

Explore the various categories honouring excellence in hospitality. Both the winners and runners-up embody the highest standards in our industry.

Accommodation of the Year

This award honours a property that showcases outstanding achievements, leadership, and innovation, while setting a high standard of excellence in BC's accommodation sector.
Award Winner
  • FOUR SEASONS RESORT AND RESIDENCES WHISTLER

The Parkside Hotel & Spa, Victoria
A sustainable, all-suite hotel in downtown Victoria, offering spacious accommodations with full kitchens, fireplaces, and private balconies. Guests can enjoy amenities such as a 25-meter indoor pool, full-service spa, rooftop garden, and complimentary bikes, all within walking distance of the Inner Harbour and local attractions.

The Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre
A premier, full-service resort nestled in the heart of Sun Peaks Village, offering ski-in/ski-out access and year-round mountain adventures. Guests can enjoy upscale amenities including a heated outdoor pool, three outdoor hot tubs, a fitness centre, and two on-site dining options, all within steps of the slopes and village shops.

The Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
A luxurious alpine retreat nestled at the base of Whistler Blackcomb, offering 273 spacious rooms and suites adorned with gas fireplaces, private balconies, and mountain views. Guests can enjoy world-class amenities including a year-round heated outdoor pool, a full-service spa, and a ski concierge service that ensures effortless access to the slopes.

Presented by:

Housekeeping Excellence

This award recognizes a housekeeping team delivering exceptional service and upholding high standards of cleanliness, commitment, and guest satisfaction.
Award Winner
  • THE COVE LAKESIDE RESORT

Crystal Lodge, Whistler
Crystal Lodge has consistently scored in the mid-to-high 90s on guest satisfaction indicators through Revinate. Room cleanliness and housekeeping standing out as key strengths in guest feedback. These results reflect the team’s exceptional focus on maintaining a clean, welcoming, and memorable environment for guests. For the 12 months to November 2024 our

Paradox Hotel Vancouver
The Paradox Housekeeping Communication Aid—a letter that allows room attendants to personalize messages for guests by selecting words that best describe their interactions. This small yet meaningful gesture helps create a warm, customized welcome. We also encourage our team to create towel art, adding a touch of creativity and surprise to guest rooms. Additionally, each room features a hand-crafted Sock Monster , a one-of-a-kind toy designed to delight our younger guests. No two Sock Monsters are alike, allowing room attendants to place them anywhere on the bed to bring a smile to our little visitors.

The Cove Lakeside Resort
The Cove Lakeside Resort sustained a 4.25/5 online average rating and retained the TripAdvisor #1 position in West Kelowna for a 2nd consecutive year. In addition to driving guest satisfaction metrics, the Housekeeping Team contributed a year-over-year financial improvement in productivity of 15.7% and an operational expense improvement of 6.7%. 

They also partnered with Soap for Hope to establish a soap and linen recycling program.

Presented by:

Hotelier of the Year

This individual category recognizes the significant accomplishments and examples of professionalism, leadership, and excellence by hoteliers in BC.
Award Winner
  • KIMBERLEY HUGHES, DELTA HOTELS VICTORIA OCEAN POINTE

Chelan Goonetilleke, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Chelan fosters innovation by encouraging creativity and collaboration, creating an environment where ideas are welcomed and implemented. This has translated into unique guest offerings, seamless operations, and a strong, unified team culture. Chelan’s exceptional leadership motivates the team to consistently exceed expectations, delivering world-class service and achieving industry-leading results.

Kimberley Hughes, Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Point
Kimberley's leadership style is rooted in a strong commitment to team building, mentorship and the personal and professional growth of her staff. Under her guidance, the Delta Ocean Pointe Hotel has become a shining example of how to foster a supportive and empowering workplace culture.

Jocelyn Bennett, Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
Jocelyn has exemplified outstanding leadership throughout her 30-year career in hospitality. Since becoming General Manager of Delta Kamloops in 2023, she has transformed her team’s performance by fostering a culture of excellence, growth, and innovation. Jocelyn is deeply respected for her hands-on leadership approach, blending operational expertise with compassionate mentorship.

Presented by:

Leader of the Future

This award celebrates an emerging leader who has developed an innovative project, initiative, or experience that pushes boundaries and drives progress in hospitality.
Award Winner
  • EDDIE SALEHI, DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT KAMLOOPS

Amandeep Kaur – Sandman Hotel Group
Amandeep is known for her initiative, heart, and hustle. From leading her team through changes to advancing from GSM to Sales Manager, her energy and leadership style inspire her colleagues every day.

Eddie Salehi – Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
Eddie stands out for his visionary leadership and focus on results. Whether optimizing operations, expanding inventory, or stepping up in high-pressure situations, he consistently empowers those around him to excel.

Presented by:

Culinary Excellence

This award recognizes a culinary star who demonstrates a true commitment to culinary excellence and delivering the highest quality team and guest experience.
Award Winner
  • MITCH SHAFER, DELTA HOTELS BY MARRIOTT KAMLOOPS

Renee Lauzon, The Courtney Room, Magnolia Hotel & Spa
Food & Beverage Manager Renee Lauzon leads a standout team at The Courtney Room, alongside Executive Chef Brian Tesolin, Wine Director Colin Davidson, and Bar Manager Anton Wilson. Their dedication has made the restaurant a highly awarded dining destination while seamlessly managing hotel dining, room service, and catering.

Mitch Shafer, Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
Chef Mitch partnered with Better Table to cut food waste by 2.4% and collaborated with hotel leadership to develop a hydroponic garden, providing fresh, sustainable vegetables year-round.

Lukas Exelby, Treetop Tapas & Grill, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre
Chef Lukas joined Treetop in early 2024, transforming reviews and elevating ratings. His inventive 9+ course tasting menu showcases top ingredients with meticulous detail. Each dish tells a story, shared by servers to celebrate the region’s exceptional food producers.

Presented by:

Sustainability Champion

This award honours a property that exemplifies leadership in sustainability, reducing their carbon footprint, and advancing eco-friendly practices in hospitality.
Award Winner
  • SANDMAN HOTEL GROUP

Sandman Hotel Group – Implemented sustainability projects including LED conversions in Lethbridge, Penticton, and Victoria, and boiler upgrades in Vernon, Regina, and Kelowna. By focusing on property-level improvements, they are reducing their carbon footprint through immediate, small changes, alongside broader chain-wide sustainability initiatives.

Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites – Installed a 184-panel solar PV system, reducing annual electricity consumption by approximately 60,000 kWh, and installed 11 Tesla & Chargepoint EV charging stations to support sustainable travel.

Black Rock Oceanfront Resort – Transitioned away from single-use plastics, replacing them with sustainable alternatives. This included swapping plastic water bottles for glass refillable bottles in guest rooms, offering guests filtered water stations on the property, and replacing plastic toiletries with refillable dispensers for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash and our entire Resort cleaning products. These changes dramatically reduced the volume of plastic waste generated by the resort.

Presented by:

Community Contribution Award

This award celebrates an exceptional individual who has made a significant impact. Through charitable work or social contributions, they have positively influenced the BC accommodation industry or their local community on behalf of their organization.
Award Winner
  • LISA JAAGER, SUMMERLAND WATERFRONT RESORT & SPA

John Kearns, Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel
John Kearns is a true example of values-driven leadership and community stewardship in the hospitality industry. Beyond his professional achievements, John has consistently shown an unwavering commitment to charitable causes across British Columbia. Whether it’s through financial sponsorships, in-kind support, or grassroots fundraising, John is always looking for ways to give back—and he encourages his teams to do the same. He’s the kind of advocate every charitable organization hopes for: proactive, generous, and genuinely invested in making a difference.

Lisa Jaager, Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa
Lisa is deeply committed to community engagement and strengthening the economic and social health of Summerland. She
has also championed charitable initiatives benefiting organizations like the BCSPCA, Boys and Girls Club Okanagan, Canadian Mental Health Association, and Wellspring Foundation, demonstrating her dedication to supporting those in need. She is a board member of the Summerland Chamber of Commerce and active participant in Rotary Club events.

Ozzy Goksel, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel
Ozzy’s contributions to charitable causes are impressive. Over the past seven years, she has been a dedicated advocate for community giving, most notably through her work with the BC Hospitality Foundation. Through creative fundraising initiatives and her infectious enthusiasm, she has raised over $5,000 to support hospitality workers in need. Her efforts have set new standards for hotel-based fundraising and have inspired her colleagues to get involved and give back.

Presented by:

Accommodation of the Year

This award recognizes the achievements and innovation of a property that is leading BC’s accommodation sector.
Sponsored By:

Housekeeping Excellence

This property-centric award recognizes a housekeeping team that demonstrates exceptional service and upholds the highest standard of cleanliness and commitment to team and guest satisfaction.
Sponsored By:

Hotelier of the Year

This individual category recognizes the significant accomplishments and examples of professionalism, leadership, and excellence by hoteliers in BC.
Sponsored By:

Leader of the Future

This award recognizes an individual that has embraced the opportunity to think outside the box and develop an innovative project, initiative, service experience or campaign that pushes the limits of how the tourism and hospitality sectors have traditionally operated.

Culinary Excellence

This award recognizes a culinary star who demonstrates a true commitment to culinary excellence and delivering the highest quality team and guest experience.

Sustainability Champion Award

This award acknowledges an individual or property in the accommodation sector that has shown exceptional dedication to sustainability, reducing their carbon footprint, and promoting eco-friendly practices.

Community Contribution Award

This award celebrates an exceptional individual who has made a significant impact. Through charitable work or social contributions, they have positively influenced the BC accommodation industry or their local community on behalf of their organization.

For general inquiries please contact bchainfo@mci-agency.com

To enquire about exhibiting, please contact Jason Cheskes: (bcha@abovethelinesolutions.com)

BCHASUMMIT25
8N1Z0QH
TZZ8Y3Y1

SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION

Nominee information | For group awards, please indicate the person best suited to accept the award.
NOMINATOR INFORMATION
NOMINEE INFORMATION

All nominations must be endorsed and supported by the nominee. Please confirm that the nominee is aware and supportive of this nomination.*
CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
  • Open to any accommodation property in British Columbia.

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

    CULINARY EXCELLENCE

    Nominee information | For group awards, please indicate the person best suited to accept the award.
    NOMINATOR INFORMATION
    NOMINEE INFORMATION

    All nominations must be endorsed and supported by the nominee. Please confirm that the nominee is aware and supportive of this nomination.*
    CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
    • Must be from an accommodation-operated food and beverage company in British Columbia.

    Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

    SUPPORTING MATERIALS

      LEADER OF THE FUTURE

      Nominee information | For group awards, please indicate the person best suited to accept the award.
      NOMINATOR INFORMATION
      NOMINEE INFORMATION

      All nominations must be endorsed and supported by the nominee. Please confirm that the nominee is aware and supportive of this nomination.*
      CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
      • Age 35 and under.

      Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

      SUPPORTING MATERIALS

        HOTELIER OF THE YEAR

        Nominee information | For group awards, please indicate the person best suited to accept the award.
        NOMINATOR INFORMATION
        NOMINEE INFORMATION

        All nominations must be endorsed and supported by the nominee. Please confirm that the nominee is aware and supportive of this nomination.*
        CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
        • Must be a General Manager, Vice President, Regional Vice President or President/Executive Director of a BC-based hotel or hotel group.

        Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

        SUPPORTING MATERIALS

          HOUSEKEEPING EXCELLENCE

          Nominee information | For group awards, please indicate the person best suited to accept the award.
          NOMINATOR INFORMATION
          NOMINEE INFORMATION
          I confirm that:*

          Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

          SUPPORTING MATERIALS

            ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR

            Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.
            NOMINATOR INFORMATION
            NOMINEE INFORMATION
            All nominations must be endorsed and supported by the nominee. Please confirm that the nominee is aware and supportive of this nomination.*

            Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

            SUPPORTING MATERIALS

              Community Contribution award

              NOMINATOR INFORMATION
              NOMINEE INFORMATION
              All nominations must be endorsed and supported by the nominee. Please confirm that the nominee is aware and supportive of this nomination.*

              Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting your response to a maximum of 200 words per question. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

              COMMUNITY IMPACT
              INDUSTRY SUPPORT
              SUPPORTING MATERIALS

                JOIN OUR UPCOMING  WEBINAR:
                BCHA Mid-Year Industry Update: What’s Trending and How We Can Support
                Date: June 24, 2025 1:00 PM PT