Tourism Management Menu
ICTs at Hotels Sustainability Symposium
Information Communication Technologies at Hotels Symposium:
A Route to Sustainable Development
Fostering sustainable practices within the hotel industry across British Columbia.
Esteemed BC Hoteliers
We extend a warm invitation to you for the Information Communication Technologies at Hotels Symposium, a pivotal event designed to empower hotel owners, general managers, and supervisory staff. Mark your calendars for April 15, 2024, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm, as we convene at the TRU Mountain Room.
About the Symposium
The Hoteliers Symposium, themed "Information Communication Technologies at Hotels: A Route to Sustainable Development," promises to be a pivotal event for hotel owners, general managers, and supervisory staff in British Columbia. Organized by the Faculty Adventure Culinary Arts and Tourism Team at TRU in collaboration with various prominent stakeholders including the City of Kamloops, the Kamloops Accommodation Association, and several others, this symposium is generously funded by the Federal Government under a SSHRC IDG Grant.
When?
Set for April 15, 2024, at the TRU Mountain Room, the event aims to delve into the intersection of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) and sustainable hotel operations. Participants can anticipate a multifaceted agenda including presentations by TRU researchers on ICT advancements, insights from the Sustainability Manager at the City of Kamloops, and a panel discussion featuring successful hoteliers sharing their sustainability journey.
Keynote Speaker
George Benson's keynote address, industry expert sessions, and practical workshops will enhance the program. Representatives from BC Hydro and Fortis BC will discuss how ICTs and infrastructure can tackle industry challenges like climate change and resource reduction, while improving guest experiences. In-person attendance is preferred, but remote participation via live-streaming is available. This symposium emphasizes technology's crucial role in promoting sustainability in the hospitality sector, offering valuable insights and strategies for British Columbia's hoteliers.
George Benson
George Benson is an economic developer that works on helping people future-proof their businesses and organizations, particularly with an eye toward climate action. George has worked with businesses and organizations across multiple sectors, including tourism, finance, logistics, and construction, supporting them in driving innovation, enhancing their bottom lines, and attracting new and diverse workers. In his keynote, George will lay out the “what” of contemporary sustainability practice, including key themes and ideas, as well as relevant standards. He will also touch on different rationales for integrating sustainability and ICT, including policy considerations, supply chains, and consumer trends, and close with case studies of relevance for hoteliers considering their options on where to take their sustainability work next.
Information Communication Technology at Hotels Symposium: A Route to Sustainable Development
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada - Insight Development Grant (SSHRC IDG) Grant/File No. 430-2023-00955
Schedule of events
Opening Remarks - Dean Dr. Doug Booth, FACT
Presented by Thompson Rivers University – Tourism Management
- Dr. Kimberly Thomas Francois, Principal Investigator, SSHRC, IDG
- Catalina Rose Valle – Student Researcher
- Presented by Glen Cheetham, Climate and Sustainability Manager, City of Kamloops
- Presented by Dave Ramslie, Chief Operating Officer, Open Technologies
- Facilitated by Nic Zdunich, Manager of Destination Development, Tourism Kamloops
- Panel members representing:
- Delta Hotel Kamloops
- Sandman (TBC)
- Doubletree
- Quality Inn (Vernon)
Incentives for commercial buildings
- Presented by Vladimir Kostka, Major Commercial Key Account Manager for Education and Hospitality
- Presented by James Gordon, Manager of Sustainability Programs, Thompson Rivers University
- Facilitated by the Glen Cheetham, Climate and Sustainability Manager, City of Kamloops
- Presented by Prof. Lian Dumouchel, Tourism Management Department Chair, Thompson Rivers University
Register
Registration is now closed.
This event is brought to you in a collaborative effort by the Faculty of Adventure Culinary Arts and Tourism Team at Thompson Rivers University (TRU), in partnership with The City of Kamloops, The Kamloops Accommodation Association, Tourism Kamloops, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Kelowna Hotel Association, Hotel Association of Vancouver and BC Hotel Association.
