Gareth Allen-Symmons

Communications Manager

A strategic communicator with a passion for storytelling, Gareth ensures BCHA’s message reaches its audience with clarity and impact. By fostering strong relationships with media, partners, and stakeholders, Gareth amplifies BCHA’s presence, driving engagement and awareness across the hospitality sector.

Communications Manager
Avid Footballer

As Communications Manager, Gareth is responsible for developing and executing BCHA’s communications strategy, ensuring the organizations key messaging is in line with our membership base and stakeholders. In his role, he creates content for various social media and marketing platforms, fosters relationships with valued partners, handles media relations, and produces the weekly newsletter.

Although he has never worked at a hotel (save for a week-long stint at the Savoy Hotel in London), Gareth has experience working in events, sales, and marketing. He has had previous spells at Destination Vancouver and the London Design Fair but found his niche working in Communications following the pandemic.

Outside of work, Gareth enjoys travelling, playing soccer, riding his bike, and exploring different neighbourhoods.

THE FUN STUFF

What was the first album you bought with your own money? Nas – Stillmatic. And yes that was a CD-ROM.
What is your favourite sport to play? Soccer, without a doubt.
What’s the most unique travel experience you’ve ever had? Watching Donetsk FC vs Luhansk in the snow at the old Dynamo Kyiv Stadium.
If you could time travel to any historical period, where and when would you go, and what would you want to experience? I would transport back to the Roaring 20s in New York City. Catch a Brooklyn Dodgers ball game at Ebbets Field and duck into a few speakeasies.
Where are you going on your next road trip? Driving the Oregon Coast has been on my list for too long but it’s likely going to be LA to San Francisco via Big Sur.

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News & Updates
Accommodation Membership
Allied Membership
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News & Updates
Accommodation Membership
Allied Membership
Contact Us
About Us
Members Only

SUSTAINABILITY CHAMPION

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

NOMINATOR INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

Company Address*

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

I confirm the above. *

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

Open to any accommodation property in British Columbia.

I confirm that the nominee fulfills the above condition. *

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.

What sets the nominee apart from others in the industry in terms of sustainability practices?*

Provide a specific example showcasing how the nominee has demonstrated outstanding commitment to reducing their carbon footprint and promoting sustainability initiatives.*

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Please include supporting materials such as links to websites, social media, videos and samples of work relevant to the nomination, where appropriate. If the nominee is selected as the winner, this material may be used for promotion of the award category during Awards Dinner or in any post-event promotion or communications. *

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB

CULINARY EXCELLENCE

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

NOMINATOR INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

Company Address*

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

I confirm the above. *

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

Must be from an accommodation-operated food and beverage company in British Columbia.

I confirm that the nominee fulfills the above condition. *

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.

Please provide a brief overview of what the nominee individual or team achieved in 2023/2024. (Include third-party recognition, awards)*

What makes the nominee individual or team stand out from others in the industry?*

Please provide a specific example of how the nominee individual or team has demonstrated outstanding culinary excellence. (Menu concept, service excellence, event execution, etc.)*

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB

LEADER OF THE FUTURE

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

NOMINATOR INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

Company Address*

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

I confirm the above. *

CATEGORY-SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY

Age 35 and under.

I confirm that the nominee fulfills the above condition. *

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.

Describe the innovative product/initiative/campaign the nominee executed and its objectives.*

Describe the strategies and tactics that were used in successfully delivering the product/initiative/campaign vs. campaign/initiative. Highlight how they were unique or different.*

Describe the impact and results of this new approach.*

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB

HOTELIER OF THE YEAR

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

NOMINATOR INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

Company Address*

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

I confirm the above. *

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.

I confirm that the nominee fulfills the above conditions. *

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.

How has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership, motivation, and innovation?*

Describe the nominee’s impact on their local community.*

How has the nominee enhanced the overall BC’s tourism and hospitality industry?*

Describe the nominee’s impact on one or more of the following: visitor satisfaction, sustainable practices, and workplace culture/HR development.*

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB

HOUSEKEEPING EXCELLENCE

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

NOMINATOR INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Address*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

I confirm that:*

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.

Please provide a brief overview of what the nominated company achieved in 2024.*

What makes this housekeeping team stand out from others in the industry?*

In identifying properties to receive the Housekeeping Awards, the BCHA considers brand GSI scoring system or a hotel proprietary GSI reports as the driving measure (for example: Trust You, Top Box Scores, etc.). These reports provide a comprehensive view of your guests’ experience, with a focus on overall cleanliness. Please submit to: bchainfo@mci-agency.com*

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB

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

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

Company Name*

General Manager (GM) First Name*

GM Last Name*

GM Email*

Phone Number*

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

I confirm the above.

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.

Please provide a brief overview of what the nominated company achieved in 2024.*

Describe the unique innovations or services the property offers.*

In identifying properties to receive the Accommodation of the Year Award, the BCHA considers brand GSI scoring system or a hotel proprietary GSI reports as the driving measure (for example: Trust You, Top Box Scores, etc.). These reports provide a comprehensive view of your guests’ experience, with a focus on overall guest satisfaction. Please submit to: bchainfo@mci-agency.com*

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB

Community Contribution award

NOMINATOR INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

NOMINEE INFORMATION

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Phone Number*

Job Title*

Company Name*

Company Address*

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

I confirm the above.

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

How has the nominee significantly contributed to the betterment of the BC accommodation community? Please provide specific examples with measurable outcomes of initiatives, projects, or actions that have positively impacted the industry.

INDUSTRY SUPPORT

How has the nominee actively supported the growth and development of the BC accommodation sector? Please highlight any specific contributions, such as mentorship, advocacy, or collaborative efforts.

SUPPORTING MATERIALS

Optional File Upload Upload a file or drag and drop. up to 250MB