2013 National Conference Agenda

Daniel Edward Craig

In his twenty-year career Daniel Edward Craig has worked for a variety of hotels and tourism entities, in positions ranging from director of sales & marketing to vice president.

Under his leadership as general manager, Opus Hotel in Vancouver was voted one of the World's Best 100 Hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler. An early adopter of social media, Daniel launched the first-ever General Manager's Blog in 2006, which attracted a worldwide following for its irreverent insider's look at managing a hotel.

The author of Murder at the Universe and two other mystery novels set in hotels, Daniel writes frequently about hotels and the travel industry. His articles are published worldwide, and his blog is ranked among the top 20 hotel blogs by BlogRank.

Considered a thought leader in social media and online reputation management, Daniel is the featured speaker atTripAdvisor's Master Class events across North America. Recently he was keynote speaker at the Digital Marketing Conference for Scottish Tourism in Scotland and at the Buy Tourism Online conference in Italy.  

Daniel holds a bachelor's degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and has studied film, writing, acting and languages.

His distinctive background as a former hotel manager, author and marketing executive provides a credible, objective and entertaining speaking platform. He consistently receives rave feedback from conference organizers and attendees.

Daniel Edward Craig

In his twenty-year career Daniel Edward Craig has worked for a variety of hotels and tourism entities, in positions ranging from director of sales & marketing to vice president.

Under his leadership as general manager, Opus Hotel in Vancouver was voted one of the World’s Best 100 Hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler. An early adopter of social media, Daniel launched the first-ever General Manager’s Blog in 2006, which attracted a worldwide following for its irreverent insider's look at managing a hotel.

The author of Murder at the Universe and two other mystery novels set in hotels, Daniel writes frequently about hotels and the travel industry. His articles are published worldwide, and his blog is ranked among the top 20 hotel blogs by BlogRank.

Considered a thought leader in social media and online reputation management, Daniel is the featured speaker atTripAdvisor's Master Class events across North America. Recently he was keynote speaker at the Digital Marketing Conference for Scottish Tourism in Scotland and at the Buy Tourism Online conference in Italy.  

Daniel holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of British Columbia and has studied film, writing, acting and languages.

His distinctive background as a former hotel manager, author and marketing executive provides a credible, objective and entertaining speaking platform. He consistently receives rave feedback from conference organizers and attendees.

John B. Challinor II APR
Director of Corporate Affairs
Nestlé Waters Canada

 

Friday, May 31, 2013
9:00 am – 10:30 am

John Challinor II is Director of Corporate Affairs, Nestlé Waters Canada. He is also a member of the Company's leadership team. Mr. Challinor is responsible for Nestlé Waters' day-to-day corporate communications and public affairs activities in the Canadian marketplace.

He joined Nestlé Waters in June 2008 in his current position. Mr. Challinor brings more than 28 years of corporate and marketing communications experience to the role, having served in executive and senior advertising, industry and government affairs and public relations roles with Amdahl Canada Limited, ATI Technologies Inc., Compaq Canada Limited, Cygnal Technologies Corporation, IBM Canada Limited, Jamieson Laboratories Limited and Sony of Canada Limited. He began his career as a newspaper and television reporter and editor in the Southern Ontario market.

Mr. Challinor holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts degree in Journalism from Ryerson University, an Accredited Public Relations (APR) designation from the Canadian Public Relations Society and a Certificate in Advertising from the Institute of Canadian Advertising.

Professionally, he is Chairman of the Canadian Beverage Container Recycling Association; President of Alberta Beverage Council; and a member of the Board of Directors of Encorp Pacific Inc. and the Alberta Beverage Container Recycling Corporation; Chairman, Environment Committee, Canadian Bottled Water Association; and member, Environment Committee, Canadian Beverage Association; and also serves the Canadian Public Relations Society nationally as an APR examiner.

Friday, May 31, 2013
11:00 am – 11:45 am

Mike McDermid

Mike McDermid is the Program Manager of the Vancouver Aquarium's incredibly successful Ocean Wise program - a conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about issues surrounding sustainable seafood. Ocean Wise works directly with restaurants and markets to help them make ocean-friendly buying decisions based on the most current scientific information, and provides an easily recognizable eco-logo to mark these products. Through work with partner businesses, the seafood industry, and government, Ocean Wise is helping to create a market for sustainable seafood in Canada. Mike's background includes 10 years of research, education and program Development experience focused on marine and aquatic environments in British Columbia. He has conducted fisheries related research with the University of British Columbia, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, and the Vancouver Aquarium. Mike's knowledge of aquatic ecosystems in the Pacific Northwest coupled with his passion for protecting these systems will engage you and others to take a step in helping to conserve them.

Friday, May 31, 2013 2:45 pm – 3:45 pm Chocolate Arts     We craft chocolates daily in small batches using the finest ingredients available. Our creations begin with the very best raw chocolate from producers in Belgium & France, many of which are single origin chocolates. Each is prized for its unique flavor, aroma, and characteristics. For our fillings, absolutely no colorings, additives, or anything artificial is used whatsoever. All purees, concentrates, essences, most dried fruits and flavored alcohols are house-made. Chocolate Arts has always been committed to sustainable & organic agriculture. Most produce we add is locally grown, nurtured by organic growers who approach their craft with the same passion as we do ours. This ensures you'll enjoy only the most succulent chocolates - made with natural and delicious temptations like wild blackberries, raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, hazelnuts, pears, pumpkins, and peaches. We strive to create chocolates that truly do capture the spirit and flavor of British Columbia & the Pacific West Coast. info@chocolatearts.com

 

 

Mark Hills

"One of the most enjoyable parts of my work apart from meeting and working with many of the world's top chefs, entails travelling around the world in an ongoing quest for different flavor experiences and new food trends." - Mark Hills

Over the last 40 years, Mark Hills has immersed himself in the food business. As a child of a single parent household from the age of 11 his main chore was to organize and execute menus to feed the family of 5 siblings while his mother worked; this sparked his initial interest in cooking and eventually his dream of becoming a chef.

Establishing and incorporating Hills Foods Ltd. in 1987 Mark Hills opened a dormant rabbit processing plant in Mission, BC. Rabbit processing was just the beginning, and soon after came pheasant, then bison, wild boar, venison, ostrich, etc., etc.

Mark was the first distributor to introduce local certified organic beef for weekly fresh sale into the Vancouver marketplace. Hills Foods jumped further into the game game with the introduction of kangaroo meat in 2007. Hills Foods is the go-to company for exotic, wild or organic or premium meats and specialty poultry.

After many years of providing the B.C. marketplace with an extensive mix of quality, natural, sustainable specialty meats and poultry, and generously supporting young aspiring chefs and World-Winning Culinary Canadian Teams (including Gold Medal Culinary Olympic Teams), in 2008 Mark Hills made his personal dream into reality when he earned his Certified Chef de Cuisine Certification. That same year he was inducted into B.C.'s Restaurant Hall of Fame (Hall of Fame logo) as Friend of the Industry in recognition of his continuing effort to promote and provide sustainable, organic and alternative protein sources to both chefs and consumers while providing support to young culinarians getting their start in the industry.

Dr. Susan Biali

Doctor Susan Biali, M.D. is a practicing medical doctor, health expert, life coach, inspirational keynote speaker, author and flamenco dancer who dedicates her life to helping people world-wide find happiness, get healthy and live a meaningful life that they deeply love.A passionate life-loving woman who walks her talk, Dr. Biali has studied principles of healthy living, happiness, life balance, stress management, positive psychology and self development for over 20 years.

She shares from a place of deep personal experience: formerly severely depressed and deeply frustrated with her life, Dr. Biali applied the very principles she teaches to overcome depression and transform her own life and health.

Her opinions have been featured in print media such as Self, Fitness, Redbook, Health, Martha Stewart Living, The Washington Post and The Chicago Tribune. She blogs for PsychologyToday.com, and is a health columnist and "Embrace Life Expert" for Reader's Digest Best Health. Chatelaine, Canada's most widely read women's magazine, recently appointed her as the Mind & Soul Expert on their Health Advisory Board. Dr. Biali contributed a monthly "Food for Thought" column for 8 years in The Medical Post, educating physicians and health professionals across Canada about nutrition. She is a Founding Member of the ICPA (Institute of Coaching Professional Association) affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and is also a professional spokesperson, educating the public on elements of a healthy lifestyle.

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