Paul Hawes

President & CEO

Paul is BCHA’s President & CEO. He has held leadership roles with organizations like Fairmont Hotels & Destination Canada, and most recently Explore Edmonton. A champion of sustainability, he recently helped position Edmonton as a top destination on Lonely Planet’s 2025 list.

President & CEO
tourism trailblazer

Paul’s journey in the industry began in the UK, where he studied tourism and hospitality. In 1995, he moved to Canada and joined Banff Caribou Properties, marking the start of a distinguished career. He has since held leadership roles with Resorts of the Canadian Rockies, Travel Alberta, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, the Canadian Tourism Commission (Destination Canada), and Destination Greater Victoria. During a period back in the UK, Paul also played a pivotal role in establishing overseas offices in the UK, Germany, and France for Destination New South Wales (NSW), Australia.

Prior to joining the BC Hotel Association, Paul served as vice president, destination development and marketing at Explore Edmonton Corporation, leading the entire visitor economy function. In that role, he was responsible for building strong industry relations — including with the region’s hotel sector — and oversaw global marketing, media relations, sales and business development, event attraction, and destination stewardship, including the evolution of the region’s tourism master plan.

A passionate advocate for sustainability, Paul has championed regenerative tourism initiatives throughout his career. Now, well established as President & CEO of the BC Hotel Association, he continues to build on a strong foundation, working closely with members, partners, and stakeholders to advance the province’s accommodation sector.

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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. *

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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

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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

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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

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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