Register today for the Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference: June 12, Saskatoon

The 4th annual Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference will take place on June 12 in Saskatoon at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Saskatoon Downtown. The conference theme is Explore, Learn and Grow Your Career in Tourism.

The conference offers practical, progressive human resource strategies to strengthen business and enhance Saskatchewan’s tourism sector. Click here to view the full conference agenda. Conference highlights include:

• An inspiring keynote address – Ignite the Leader Within, delivered by Rachelle Brockman, Principal of Eureka Experience.
• A panel discussion that will feature three Saskatchewan tourism professionals represented in the Canadian Traveller Top 40 Under 40 list for 2018. Panelists Stephanie Clovechok, Tourism Saskatoon; Kirk Morrison, Krugo Travel; and Jesse Tiefenbach, d3h Hotels, will share insights on tourism careers and the “secrets of success.”
• A workshop titled A Culture of Mentorship, led by Rachelle Brockman. In this “Eureka Experience”, Brockman will coach delegates on understanding and developing a mentorship culture and maximizing the benefits.
• An Educators Forum that will explore the opportunities and challenges of guiding youth into long-term, rewarding careers in tourism. This interactive session will examine the resources available to educators, students and institutions. 

The 26th annual Tourism Professional Recognition Dinner will be held in conjunction with the conference. The dinner honours new nationally certified tourism professionals and journeypersons, Employers of Choice and the Tourism Ambassador Award recipient.

To register for the Tourism Workplace Leadership Conference, contact Nancy Hubenig at 306-787-9844, nancy.hubenig@tourismsask.com. The cost is $125 (plus GST) and includes one ticket to the Tourism Professional Recognition Dinner.

Expanded sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information, contact Carol Lumb, Director, Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council at 306-933-5900, toll-free at 1-800-331-1529, carol.lumb@tourismsask.com.

*A block of guest rooms has been reserved at the Delta Saskatoon Downtown, until May 17. The rate is $139 (Corner Queen), and can be booked by calling the hotel directly at 306-665-3322. The block is reserved under "Tourism Saskatchewan".

Special Events online courses now available

This new Special Events Series consists of seven short courses, two to three hours each, covering the most important points that community or volunteer organizers need to know to create and organize special events in their community or for their organization.

Each course covers an essential part of making an event a success. The training is based on the proven skills recognized by emerit National Occupational Standards. Course content was developed with the assistance of some of Saskatchewan's most successful event planners. The courses were launched following extensive industry validation consultations to gather independent advice about business and community needs and goals.

The series includes a free download of the Special Events Toolkit, containing two dozen templates and forms to guide organizers through every stage of planning and executing their event.

Alert: Suspicious calls regarding information updates with “Sask Tourism”

Attention all tourism operators and stakeholders:

It has come to Tourism Saskatchewan’s attention that a company identifying itself as “Sask Tourism” is contacting tourism businesses in the province. The caller will ask if you would like your information updated with “Sask Tourism.” Upon further inquiry, the caller may state that the cost to update will be in the hundreds of dollars, and they may suggest that you have paid for this update in the past.

Reminder: Submit your nominations for the Canadian Tourism Awards by June 17

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Toronto Star to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

The Canadian Tourism Awards have become the standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the nation's best tourism products, services and experiences.

Nominations are being accepted in 12 award categories. Visit https://tiac-aitc.ca/cgi/page.cgi/awards.html for nomination information.

Last year, Saskatchewan brought home top honours in two categories:

• Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-sized Business of the Year Award – Historic Reesor Ranch, Maple CreekMarriott Hotels of Canada
• Innovator of the Year Award – Tourism Saskatoon, in collaboration with Tourism Victoria (BC) and Destination St. John’s (NL), for the Cities in Sync initiative

Consider your own achievements and submit a nomination for the Canadian Tourism Awards.

Nominations close: June 17
Finalists announced: October 1
Canadian Tourism Awards Gala: November 20, Westin Hotel, Ottawa

To review categories and criteria, go to https://tiac-aitc.ca/cgi/page.cgi/nominate.htm.

Employer of Choice program open for applications

Applications are now open for 2020 Employer of Choice. Employers of Choice recruit and retain top talent. Being recognized as an Employer of Choice gives an advantage over competitors because it shows that a business values consistent customer service and customer loyalty.

In today's labour market, employers have to offer more to attract the best. An Employer of Choice is an employer that offers more. A Tourism Saskatchewan Employer of Choice designation not only helps workers choose one employer over another, it also helps an employer keep star performers.

Applications are accepted from May 1 to November 30. For more information about the Employer of Choice program, click here or contact Carol Lumb, Director, Saskatchewan Tourism Education Council at 306-933-5900, toll-free at 1-800-331-1529, carol.lumb@tourismsask.com.