Employee Training It’s Worth the Investment

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE ALBERTA HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION

Survey polls reveal that employees who receive poor job

training will most likely leave their positions within the first

year. A lack of skills training and development is often the

principal reason for moving on.

The Future of Canada’s Tourism Sector, March 2012, says the

Canadian Accommodation industry is facing a projected labour

shortage equivalent to about 5,000 full time jobs by 2015. For

those businesses in the accommodation industry, finding and

keeping high performing employees will be even more difficult.

Credited training and recognition programs are important

strategies for retention of key employees, and will be crucial as

shortages return.

The big challenge for employers is a loss of revenue and lack of

customers due to poorly trained staff. Even if the staff is bright and

eager, they “don’t know what they don’t know.” When companies

provide training, they empower their employees to be better at

their job, and provide value back to the company.

It’s the people on the front-line who interact with your customers.

In today’s world, the only difference between you and your

competitors is the people you hire and how well they’re trained.

Your front-line employees often provide the first impression a

prospective customer has with your company. You are relying on

them to make a good impression.

It’s important not to underestimate the value that the right training

can add to the future success of your business. It helps your

employees feel motivated and valued, and helps you maintain and

add new skills to your business mix.

If you’d like to know how the AHLA can help with your training

needs, please contact Karen Harrison, Advisor, Human Resource

Development, at kharrison@ahla.ca, or 1.888.436.6112 ext 225.

Inspiring Service Growing Value

NOVEMBER DECEMBER

Alberta’s Tourism Framework

Which Benefits Do Employees Consider Important?

Operating Effectively and With Integrity!

Serving Alcohol at Holiday Parties

IN THIS ISSUE OF INNSIGHT:

We are celebrating the arrival of the New Year with a New Website!

It’s the perfect solution driven by you for commission free bookings with no inventory

management that will compete directly with OTAs. Stay tuned!

Promoted as “A Pathway to Growth”, Alberta’s Tourism Framework

2013 – 2020 was formally announced by Dr. Richard Starke,

Minister of Alberta Tourism, Parks, and Recreation (ATPR) at the

Travel Alberta Industry Conference in October. The goal of the

Framework is to grow provincial tourism expenditures from $7.8

billion to $10.3 billion by 2020.

The Framework was developed by ATPR and Travel Alberta with

input from industry. The alignment of Travel Alberta, ATPR and the

new Alberta Strategic Tourism Council behind this single multi-year

Framework is noted as the starting point for its success. Importantly,

the AHLA is identified in the Framework as one of the key catalyst

organizations operating within the tourism industry. Key priorities

outlined in the Framework include:

Innovation and Development Accessibility Marketing Alignment Research

Under these priorities are key objectives,

one of which is “Well coordinated, convenient, relevant,

and innovative multi-channel visitor information services engage

and encourage visitors through every stage of their travel journey.”

We look forward to contributing to the success of this objective

through our accommodation and campground programs - including

the launch of Check In Canada in 2014 and the continued evolution

of albertacampgroundguide.ca.

Another key objective is that “The tourism industry has access to a

motivated, educated/trained, skilled and professional tourism labour

force.” We are well positioned to support this objective through

our Human Resource Development Pillar and financial support

for tourism industry education through our scholarship fund. Our

ongoing advocacy to ensure industry access to foreign worker

programs will also be important to the success of this objective.

Message from the President & CEOAlberta’s Tourism Framework

Many organizations don’t know which benefits are important to their employees. If you want to attract, recruit and retain skilled workers for peak performance in your workplace, your employees need to know that your compensation package is competitive. Today, a good salary isn’t always enough – employees expect a range of non-wage related benefits as well. Offering the right benefits and perks can go a long way towards lowering employee turnover and attracting the best new employees. Don’t waste time and money on strategies that don’t work – invest in perks that employees actually want and improve your bottom line!

Set up your plan today!Each location can take advantage of our Group Purchasing Power with excellent administered RRSP underwritten by Manulife Financial.

Attract & Retain Quality People Payroll Deduction No Minimum Contribution Amount Immediate Tax Relief No Front End Charges No Back End Charges Low Management Expense Ratio

For more information on how to implement your AHLA retirement plan contact our retirement specialist Sid Kinasewich, 1.888.312.2343 or kbc@getbenefits.ca or visit www.getbenefits.ca.

Which Benefits Do Employees Consider Important? RRSP’s are A Great Place to Start!

The AHLA is identified as one of the industry partners that will work to

achieve the key objective to “Drive destination competitiveness through

industry partner collaboration.” This is another opportunity to leverage

our new digital accommodation and campground programs and to

enhance the marketing effectiveness of our industry partners.

Finally, two of the most critical objectives include “whole of

government support” and “the Tourism Levy continues to provide

substantial and sustainable funding.” I believe the AHLA’s ongoing

government advocacy efforts may be required to ensure

both of these important goals.

We look forward to serving you!

Operating Effectively and With Integrity!AGLC Implementing Changes to Under 25 Enforcement & ProServe Certification

It’s coming! Membership renewal packages will be mailed out to all AHLA members in the

New Year. Completion of the member survey & renewal form will be greatly appreciated!

Inspiring Service Growing Value

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission has strengthened the enforcement of the Under 25 policy. AGLC inspectors are now conducting random inspections and checking if licensees and their staff are asking for identification from anyone who appears younger than 25, focusing on high-risk areas and licensees.

The AGLC is also being more stringent with industry workers who are found in violation of liquor legislation and related policies by requiring them to re-take the ProServe training. Starting January 1, 2014 industry workers who have violated Gaming and Liquor Act (GLA) Section 75 – Supplying liquor to a minor; GLA Section 75(1) – Duty to an intoxicated person; or AGLC Under 25 liquor policy, will be required

to re-take ProServe training within 30 days of the date of notification of the violation. Those who incur three violations within a five-year period will be deemed ineligible for further certification, and therefore, unable to continue working in any role requiring ProServe training.

One part of the AGLC’s mandate is to ensure the province’s liquor industry operates effectively, with integrity and in a socially responsible manner. Strengthening compliance programs and increasing the accountability of liquor industry workers, will help sustain a responsible liquor industry that meets the expectations of Albertans.

New AHLA membersCanalta, Lac La BicheCoast Edmonton East Hotel, Sherwood ParkHilton Garden Inn, LeducMicrotel Inn & Suites, BlackfaldsMile Zero Motor Inn, GrimshawNoralta Lodge Bighorn, Fort McMurrayNoralta Lodge Lynz, Fort Mc MurrayNoralta Lodge Wolverine, Fort McMurrayPodollan Rez-idence, Grande PrairiePomeroy Inn & Suites at Olds College, OldsR&R Inn Bassano, BassanoRamada Limited, Medicine HatRed Rest Motel, RedwaterSexsmith Hotel, SexsmithSuper 8 Smoky Lake, Smoky LakeThe Kanata Blairmore, BlairmoreThe Kanata Whitecourt, Whitecourt

Timber Ridge Inn & Suites, FoxcreekTownePlace Suites by Marriott, Red Deer

New Associate MembersAJM Solutions Group Inc., MississaugaCLS Consulting Ltd., LloydminsterCyberdon Inc., MississaugaIllumenx Technologies Ltd, CalgaryKensington Pub, CalgaryLokken College, EdmontonLougheed Hotel “Haus Falkenstein”, LougheedMetropolitan Bar & Billiards, Edmontonplanat, an innovation of the Rick Hansen Foundation, RichmondRHB Enterprises Inc., MississaugaSawmill Prime Rib & Steak House, Fort SaskatchewanShadow Creek Resort, High Prairie

We are driven by our mission to support

our members and strengthen Alberta’s

tourism and hospitality industry.

InnSight is published by the Alberta

Hotel & Lodging Association 6 times a

year. To receive Innsight via email only,

contact Lyndsey Rae at lrae@ahla.ca

Serving Alcohol at Holiday PartiesWhat Are Your Liability Risks?

Not sure if your staff qualify for General Holiday Pay?

Just remember the 5 out of 9 rule. Example: The holiday is a Monday; if the employee

worked 5 out of the last 9 Mondays, they are eligible. Happy Holidays!

Did you know you can be liable for injuries caused by employees who drive home drunk after the holiday party? As an employer you fall between 2 categories of host, a commercial host and a social host. The steps you must take to manage liability risks that come with serving alcohol will depend on what kind of host you are.

Commercial hosts: Businesses that serve alcohol to the public are required to monitor the alcohol consumption of their patrons and not let them get behind the wheel if they’re intoxicated.

Social hosts: Unlike commercial hosts, social hosts are not expected to actively monitor the alcohol consumption of their guests; nor are they required to prevent drunk guests from driving.

So is an employer a commercial or a social host? “Employers probably fall somewhere in the middle,” according to an Ontario employment lawyer. “Companies don’t profit from alcohol consumption at holiday parties the way a club owner does,” she

explains. “On the other hand, the relationship between employer and employee is more like that between bar owner and patron than between a private host and a guest,” she adds. The smart move is to play it conservatively and take the measures necessary to meet the more stringent commercial liability standard. Monitor how much

guests drink Monitor whether guests

are intoxicated Prevent intoxicated guests

from driving Adapted from: HR Insider (July 3, 2011) Managing Liability Risks for Serving Alcohol at Holiday Parties.

The ADP logo, ADP Inc. and IN THE BUSINESS OF YOUR SUCCESS is a registered trademark of ADP, Inc.©©ADP Canada Co. 2013

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EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROGRAM

Group Insurance Solutions, in partnership with the Alberta Hotel & Lodging

Association (AHLA), is proud to offer AHLA members access to the TotalGUARD

Employee Benefits Program. We understand that in today’s competitive job market, having

a dependable and affordable Employee Benefits Program is critical to attracting and retaining

employees. Regardless of whether or not you currently have an Employee Benefits Program in

place, TotalGUARD can help save you premium dollars.

FEATURES & ENHANCEMENTS:

• Premium Savings – members will receive an immediate savings off existing premiums for equivalent coverage.

• Rate Stability – stability is generated by spreading claims over the entire pool.

• Program Flexibility – member properties will now have many different coverage options to choose from.

• Pay-Direct Drug/Dental Card – all insured persons will receive this automatic payment card, which is like a credit card that insured persons can use for their drugs and dental services, to prevent having to pay up front and then applying for reimbursement.

• Online Administration – plan sponsors can conveniently perform many administrative functions online.

• Dedicated Customer Service – each AHLA member will have a dedicated customer service representative to assist them.

Premium Savings for AHLA Members!

Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association westernfgis.ca/ahla

ABOUT GROUP INSURANCE SOLUTIONS:

Many members may already be familiar with Group Insurance Solutions through the successful implementation of the Hospitality

Insurance Program, which presently insures over 1,300 member property locations.

Group Insurance Solutions works in partnership with many independent Canadian businesses, associations and buying groups to

find better ways to manage insurance programs with greater financial and administrative efficiencies. The result is we are able to

provide service more efficiently than the traditional broker-insurance company model.

ABOUT TOTALGUARD:

TotalGUARD is our proprietary Employee Benefits Program, which presently provides comprehensive life, health and dental plans

to over 1,400 independent Canadian businesses. Through TotalGUARD, we provide the product and all related services such as

invoicing/billing, production of booklets, day-to-day administration, analytical support, new business sales, and ongoing service

support. With all these services under one roof, TotalGUARD is unique and economically superior to the traditional method of

purchasing Employee Benefits coverage.

We are confident that TotalGUARD’s many economic and administrative efficiencies will result in AHLA members not only

realizing immediate premium savings but also, and more importantly, long-term rate stability. TotalGUARD will help your effort

to attract and retain employees, creating a more efficient and productive work force.

For more information respecting the AHLA Employee Benefits Program, please contact:

NOLAN FRIESEN • Manager, Employee Benefits Sales • 1-800-665-8990 ext. 7215 • nolan.friesen@westernfgis.ca

PROPERTIES OF DISTINCTION ( AB ) CORP.

PROPERTIES OF DISTINCTION ( AB ) CORP. 12803 - 129 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5L 3J7! www.centresuiteinns.com

Agent: Bob BuchananAgent’s Cell: 780 913-0563

Assistant: Denzal Lobo Assistant’s Cell: 780 298-8408email: bob.g.buchanan@shaw.ca

OWNERS LEAVING MONEY ON THE TABLE FOR THE NEXT OWNERS.

CENTRE SUITE INNS, In Bonnyville, AlbertaIs for sale as the Owners want to retire. This is an opportunity for Hotelliers and people who understand the Hospitality Business, to step into a town that is booming in the Oil Resource Sector. Demand for accommodation is at a Premium especially for oil field / construction workers and management that need a place to come home to.

Centre Suite Inns with its Two Apartment Buildings ( 51 Suites ) and One Motel Style building ( 25 individual units ) is uniquely located and set up to meet the accommodation needs of Management and Field workers. Its really an opportunity for a New or Seasoned Hotellier to investigate.

Properties of Distinction ( Alb ) Corp wants to sell the Hospitality Business in its entirety, and is open to having seriously interested Hotelliers contact their Agent noted above.

DETAILS• One 31 Suite Apartment Building

located on the Main Road opposite Bonnyville’s famed Sports, Recreation and Conference Complex.

• One 20 Suite Apartment Building located within walking distance of Jesse Lake and Downtown District.

• One 25 Unit Motel with Central Reception and Services Building located right on Main Street.

• Wired for the Business Executive.

• Suites attract a large repeat clientelle.• Asking 13.31 million Dollars for

business and assets.• 2014 Anticipated Gross Revenue:

$3,400,000

• Cap Rate : 11.00%

PROPERTIES OF DISTINCTION ( AB ) CORP.

PROPERTIES OF DISTINCTION ( AB ) CORP. 12803 - 129 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta T5L 3J7! www.centresuiteinns.com

Agent: Bob BuchananAgent’s Cell: 780 913-0563

email: bob.g.buchanan@shaw.ca

Motel

Shoreline