Pemberton, BC – April 17, 2026 – BC Hotel Association has named David MacKenzie, Managing Director of Pemberton Valley Lodge, as the recipient of the prestigious Hotelier of the Year award at its annual awards ceremony.

The award recognizes exceptional leadership, innovation, and contribution to British Columbia’s hospitality industry. MacKenzie was honoured among peers from across the province for his commitment to operational excellence, community engagement, and advancing the role of independent boutique hotels in a competitive market.

“It’s an incredible honour to be recognized by the BC Hotel Association,” said MacKenzie. “This award really belongs to the team at Pemberton Valley Lodge. Their dedication, resilience, and genuine care for our guests and community are what make this place special.”

Under MacKenzie’s leadership, Pemberton Valley Lodge has earned recognition for its people-first culture, operational performance, and commitment to sustainability and community impact. Most recently, the lodge was awarded the Employees First Award at the Tourism Industry Association of BC conference, highlighting its leadership in staff well-being and workplace culture.

Beyond the property, MacKenzie has played an active leadership role in the broader tourism and hospitality sector, serving on multiple provincial boards and contributing to policy discussions that shape the future of the industry in British Columbia.

“David represents the very best of our industry,” said Paul Hawes BCHA President. “His leadership extends far beyond his property, and his impact is felt across communities and throughout the province.”

The Hotelier of the Year award is one of the highest honours presented by the BC Hotel Association, celebrating individuals who demonstrate outstanding professionalism, leadership, and a lasting contribution to the hospitality sector.

NANAIMO, BC (April 17, 2026) — The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2026 BCHA Awards of Excellence. Recognized by peers and industry leaders at the Awards of Excellence Gala on April 15 during the BCHA Summit in Nanaimo, this year’s recipients represent the highest standard of hospitality across British Columbia.

Selected from a strong group of finalists, seven individuals, teams, and properties were honoured for their leadership, performance, and commitment to excellence in the industry. The full list of 2026 BCHA Awards of Excellence winners is as follows:

Accommodation of the Year

The Parkside Hotel & Spa (pictured)

Housekeeping Excellence

Summerland Waterfront Resort Hotel

Hotelier of the Year

David MacKenzie, Owner & Managing Director, Pemberton Valley Lodge

Sustainability Champion

The Parkside Hotel & Spa (pictured)

Leader of the Future

Savannah Cannatella, Director of Rooms, Magnolia Hotel & Spa

Guest Service Excellence

Guest Experience Team, Nimmo Bay Resort

Culinary Excellence

Danai Hongwanishkul, Executive Chef, Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa

For the full list of finalists and more details, visit the official BCHA Summit website: https://bcha.com/bchasummit/

Vancouver, B.C. – April 15th, 2026 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing hotel brands and among Canada’s largest, today announced a series of leadership appointments and strategic updates within its Development team, strengthening its capacity to accelerate growth across Canada and the United States. As Coast Hotels expands its development pipeline across key North American markets, these appointments reflect a deliberate investment in experienced leadership, expanded market coverage, and regional execution.

Robert Tseng has been promoted to Director, Technology. With nearly two decades of progressive experience at Coast Hotels, Robert brings deep expertise in systems architecture, infrastructure optimization, and technology modernization, ensuring the organization’s technology framework continues to support scalable growth.

David Ferguson has been promoted to Senior Director, Development. Based in Vancouver, David brings extensive experience in hotel development, feasibility analysis, and valuation, along with a strong network across the Canadian accommodation sector, positioning him to accelerate Coast Hotels expansion strategy across Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest.

Gagandeep (Gagan) Singh has been appointed Director, Development. With more than 15 years of senior hospitality leadership experience across global brands, Gagan’s proven track record in asset optimization, capital planning, and revenue growth aligns with Coast Hotels focus on strengthening its presence in Alberta.

Sheryl Cedana has been appointed Director, Development, for Coast Hotels USA, Inc. Based in Washington State, Sheryl brings over a decade of U.S. hospitality leadership experience, including operational turnarounds, pre-opening expertise, and strong stakeholder management, supporting Coast Hotels continued growth and development efforts in the U.S. market.

“These appointments reflect our continued commitment to growth and our confidence in the strength of our leadership team,” said Takamasa Machiura, President & CEO, Coast Hotels Limited. “By investing in experienced talent across key markets and strengthening our internal capabilities, we are well positioned to expand our footprint, deepen partner relationships, and drive long-term value across North America.”

VICTORIA, BC, April 9, 2026 | Inn at Laurel Point has been named a finalist for the Sustainability Award from the British Columbia Hotel Association as part of its annual Awards of Excellence program. The nomination recognizes the hotel’s long-standing leadership in environmental stewardship, responsible operations, and community engagement within British Columbia’s hotel industry.

Sustainability has been embedded in the hotel’s culture for more than 15 years. What began with a colleague-led Green Team in 2008 has grown into a cross-departmental Sustainability Committee representing ten departments. Guided by a comprehensive 2030 Sustainability Plan, the hotel integrates responsible operations, community partnerships, and colleague wellbeing into daily practice. Inn at Laurel Point became the first carbon-neutral hotel in British Columbia in 2009 and continues to reduce emissions through waste diversion, responsible purchasing, and operational efficiencies. The hotel holds four Green Keys and achieved Biosphere Certification in 2023, alongside three EcoStar Awards for environmental stewardship over the past decade.

“As a local and independent hotel, we feel a deep responsibility to care for the place we call home,” says Navid Sariolghalam, general manager at Inn at Laurel Point. “Being recognized as a finalist reflects our colleagues’ dedication to sustainability every day and our ongoing partnerships with the community. Earth Month is a chance to celebrate these efforts and invite both guests and colleagues to take part in initiatives that make a tangible impact.”

During Earth Month each April, the hotel highlights initiatives that engage both guests and colleagues, including support for kelp restoration through donations linked to reservations and F&B purchases, neighbourhood clean-ups, and programs encouraging low-impact choices throughout each stay. Guests can also participate through Duo Café & Bakery’s reusable mug loyalty program and mindful travel options, while colleagues take part in sustainability-focused events such as Power Hour clean-ups and internal idea-sharing programs.

As a social enterprise, Inn at Laurel Point pairs environmental initiatives with meaningful community impact. The hotel provides discounted room rates for patients traveling to Victoria for treatment at the BC Cancer Agency and offers complimentary respite stays each month for guests supported by The Cridge Centre for the Family. The hotel also supports Rainbow Kitchen through board leadership and colleague volunteerism and funds annual bursaries for hospitality students at Camosun College.
Inn at Laurel Point aligns its sustainability initiatives with seven priority goals from the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and supports sector-wide collaboration through sponsorship of the IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference.

For more information about Inn at Laurel Point, visit laurelpoint.com.