The inaugural Aspire Conference, held at the Westin Calgary Airport on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, proved to be a resounding success. With 80 hotel attendees representing 131 hotels from across Alberta, the event was a gathering of general managers, and HR and safety professionals focused on the well-being and operational success of the province's hospitality industry.
Keynote Highlights: Dr. Lisa Belanger on Mental Agility and Resilience
The day kicked off with a captivating keynote by Dr. Lisa Belanger, titled Mental Agility: Resilience for Peak Performance and Mental Well-Being in Hospitality. In her engaging presentation, Dr. Belanger explored the critical intersection of mental health, performance, and the future of hospitality. She shared research-backed strategies designed to enhance resilience, sharpen mental agility, and optimize productivity, all while avoiding burnout.
One of her key takeaways: "Look after yourself. Take mental and/or physical breaks, go outside, and build your community."
Workplace Safety, Crisis Management, and Leadership Insights
Several key sessions at the Aspire Conference focused on workplace safety and leadership in the hospitality industry. WCB’s Deborah Nilssen led Managing Claims When They Happen, offering best practices for handling workplace injuries. The Safe Minds, Safe Work session, presented by Iordanka Petzanova from OHS and Tracey Pelley from the Ministry of Jobs, Economy, and Trade, explored psychological health and safety standards, providing attendees with practical strategies for creating safer, more supportive work environments.
Another highlight came from Jim Martin of Pursuit Collection, who shared valuable crisis management lessons from the wildfires that threatened Jasper. His session provided critical insights on crisis preparedness, decision-making, and communication during emergencies.
The day concluded with a session on Leading a Multi-Generational Workforce by Kristopher Marks. This interactive discussion covered leadership, safety, and communication strategies for managing a diverse workforce.
Practical Insights and Networking Opportunities
Aspire wasn’t just about insightful talks—it was also about practical tools and strategies that attendees could apply immediately. The Workforce Strategies: Rapid-Fire Solutions for Sourcing Talent session, featuring speakers from organizations like WUSC, BCHA, CAREERS, and AAISA, offered quick, actionable insights to help hoteliers find and retain top talent.
During lunch, attendees explored the vibrant Marketplace, engaging with innovative products and solutions from industry vendors. The opportunity to network, learn from one another, and share experiences was a standout feature of the event, as noted by attendees who shared their positive feedback:
“A wonderful blend of tools and skills to apply immediately, as well as strong mindset, authentic, value-based conversations.”
“The speakers were very interesting. People want this information!”
“I liked the pacing of the event, and the speakers were engaging and inspiring.”
Prize Draws and Community Building
Throughout the day, attendees were treated to intermittent prize draws, with several lucky individuals walking away with amazing prizes. A standout feature of Aspire was the opportunity to connect, share, and learn from one another, making the conference a valuable experience for all participants.
Sponsors and Acknowledgements
The success of the Aspire Conference was made possible by the support of its sponsors: BambooHR, The Westin Calgary Airport Hotel, and the Government of Alberta.
Final Thoughts
The Aspire Conference 2025 demonstrated the power of community and collaboration in driving the Alberta hospitality industry forward, with valuable tools, insights, and strategies to thrive in the ever-evolving industry landscape.
Workforce Strategies
Health & Safety in the Workplace
Marketplace