News + Updates

We’re thrilled to welcome two fantastic co-op interns to the BC Hotel Association team this summer! Meet Shadan Eftekhari, our Social Media & Communications Coordinator, and Cara Hou, our Project Administrative Coordinator. These talented students are already making a strong impact and bringing fresh energy to our work.

Shadan Eftekhari
Shadan joins us from UBC’s Sauder School of Business, where she’s studying Marketing with a concentration in Business Law. In her role, she’s helping elevate BCHA’s digital presence by creating social media content, producing short-form videos, and supporting communication strategies that showcase our advocacy, initiatives, and member programs.

Originally from Saskatoon, Shadan has a strong foundation in hospitality, having worked in restaurants from a young age. She also brings experience in marketing through her work with XMC and the non-profit Child and Youth Friendly.

Cara Hou
As Project Administrative Coordinator, Cara supports the planning and delivery of workforce initiatives like Fast Track Your Future. She’s also a Sauder student, pursuing a dual specialization in Marketing and Business Technology Management.

In her role, she assists with scheduling, content development, presentation design, and internal coordination. With experience ranging from sustainability campaigns to event planning and frontline service, Cara is a versatile and valued addition to the team.

Getting to Know Them

Shadan’s can’t-live-without? Music. Her Spotify Wrapped clocked in at over 220,000 minutes this year—nearly 42% of the year spent listening.

If she could stay anywhere in the world for a night? A secluded beachside villa with linen sheets, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a sunset-view skylight. Warm, minimal, and totally Pinterest-worthy.

Cara’s dream hotel? Hogwarts. Even with the risk of dark magic, she thinks it’d be the ultimate magical experience.

Her ideal vacation? Food-focused, hands down. For Cara, culinary experiences are the best way to explore cultures and bring people together.

Please join us in welcoming Shadan and Cara to the BCHA team. We’re excited to work alongside them this summer as they support BC’s hotel sector with creativity, professionalism, and heart.

BCHASUMMIT25
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SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION

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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

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    CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
    • Must be from an accommodation-operated food and beverage company in British Columbia.

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    SUPPORTING MATERIALS

      LEADER OF THE FUTURE

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      CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY
      • Age 35 and under.

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        HOTELIER OF THE YEAR

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        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.

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        SUPPORTING MATERIALS

          HOUSEKEEPING EXCELLENCE

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            ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR

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            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

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              COMMUNITY IMPACT
              INDUSTRY SUPPORT
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                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