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Oshkosh, Wis. – April 20, 2026 – Continental Laundry Solutions recently added four team members to support customer care, accounting and training initiatives: Cori Baier as equipment order processing specialist; Jessica DesRochers as instructional designer; Joe Rollar as head of technical learning; and Ethan Whitney as accounts receivable/billing specialist.

“The addition of Cori, Jessica, Joe and Ethan strengthens our ability to serve customers and expand training,” said President Mike Floyd. “We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to their impact as we continue to grow.”

Baier, who joins Continental as equipment order processing specialist, fosters strong relationships with customers and is a key liaison between Continental staff and distributors. On a daily basis, Baier processes customer equipment orders, responds to customer inquiries and provides order follow-up and tracking. She joins Continental with 10 years of customer care experience.

DesRochers brings a solid background in technical education and user-centered design to her role as instructional designer. A licensed educator with nearly two decades of experience in curriculum development and digital media, she specializes in translating complex subject matter into accessible, high-impact learning content. At Continental, she oversees the development of learning materials within the corporate management system and provides strategic design support to ensure visual consistency across the brand's educational and marketing platforms. She holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Brevard College, in Brevard, N.C.

Rollar, who joins Continental as head of technical learning, leads the company’s national technician training strategy, including qualification standards and academy development initiatives. Rollar oversees curriculum design, instructor development and assessment strategy and is charged with implementing competency validation systems aligned with field performance metrics. Rollar holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Whitney brings two years of finance experience to his role as accounts receivable/billing specialist. In this position, he prepares and distributes accurate, timely invoices for Continental products and services, helping ensure efficient billing operations and strong customer relationships. Supporting multiple departments, Whitney collaborates closely with team members to maintain precise accounts receivable records and uphold financial accuracy across the organization. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.

To learn more about Continental’s products, services or career opportunities, visit www.continental-laundry.com or call 800-256-1073

 
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Last month, Victim Services Toronto (VST) announced multi-sector expansions to its code-word initiative: “Ask for Angela” which allows survivors of gender-based violence to discreetly signal for support in public spaces

Now—exactly one month out from Toronto’s soccer tournament—the local safety network includes six hospitality-specific partners and is growing, creating more pathways to support at a critical time: internationally, research has linked certain high-profile, televised sporting events to a significant increase in police-reported intimate partner violence.

Hotels are a crucial sector for the program’s expansion: it’s estimated that 75% of human trafficking survivors come into contact with hotels at some point during their trafficking experience. Importantly, the GTA offers the most extensive range of accommodations in Canada at 36,500+ hotel rooms—65% of which are in Toronto.

“As an association dedicated to understanding the biggest challenges facing the hotel industry, it’s a privilege to support Victim Services Toronto as they expand Ask for Angela across Toronto,” shares Sara Anghel, President & CEO, Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA). “By engaging this discreet safety tool, hoteliers are turning their commitment to guests into real, life-saving action that builds trust and shows true leadership, while setting the standard for how Canadian hospitality can give back.”

Courtyard by Marriott Toronto Downtown was inspired to join the Ask for Angela network after partaking in VST and the GTHA’s anti-human trafficking training. The hotel’s general manager, Murray Kelsey, recalled creating anti-human trafficking training resources over two decades ago in their Vancouver location—this existing company culture surrounding trafficking awareness and guest safety quickly blossomed into VST’s founding hospitality partnership for the localized Ask for Angela program.

"In hospitality, you're responsible for more than a guest's stay—you're responsible for their safety. This has been a priority for me for years, which is why Ask for Angela resonated immediately,” Kelsey shares. “As we prepare for a busy summer in Toronto, having a clear, discreet way for someone to signal they need help—and a trained team who can connect them to professional support through partners like Victim Services Toronto—matters more than ever for guests, team members, and everyone who walks through our doors."

 
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TORONTO, ON (May 11, 2026) – The Greater Toronto Hotel Association (GTHA) is pleased to announce the election of our 2026-27 Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on May 7th at the Delta Hotel Toronto. The Association welcomed nine new directors to the board, which now comprises 25 directors drawn from across the Greater Toronto Area.

“With the addition of nine new directors, the GTHA board has the depth of experience and diverse perspectives to help steer the Association in the years ahead,” said president & CEO Sara Anghel. “We are fortunate to have such a seasoned group of professionals who give back their time and expertise to growing the industry”.

2026-27 Board of Directors (* indicates new director)

D O W N T O W N

• Ashok Baghel, Hyatt Regency Toronto
• Benoit Pretet*, Nobu Toronto
• David Kelley, Soho Hotel & Residences
• Edwin Frizzell, The Fairmont Royal York
• Jean-Philip Dupre*, Le Germain Toronto Mercer
• Jeff Kennedy, Marriott CF Toronto Eaton Centre
• Kevin Schmidt*, Delta Toronto
• Linda Griffin*, Hilton Toronto
• Patrick Cappa, Omni King Edward Hotel
• Peter Gillis, Sheraton Centre Toronto
• Ryan Soderberg, Marriott Toronto City Centre
• Scott Turyk, The Westin Harbour Castle
• Shane Downey*, The Chelsea Hotel Toronto
• Thomas Mayrhofer*, InterContinental Toronto Centre
• Umesh Srivastava, DoubleTree by Hilton Toronto Downtown
• Zorica Drapic, Revery Toronto Downtown, Curio Collection by Hilton

W E S T

• Andrea Young, Alt Hotel Toronto Airport
• Dan Woodburn*, Delta Hotels Marriott Toronto Airport & Conference Centre
• Ellen Hryhor, Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport & Element by Westin
• Natasha Bonello, Hilton Toronto Airport Hotel & Suites
• Peter Kingsbury, Holiday Inn International Toronto Airport
• Toni Frankfurter, The Waterside Inn

N O R T H

• Adrian Calagiu*, Monte Carlo Inn Vaughan Suites
• Gabriel Dayaon*, Novotel Toronto Vaughan Centre
• Marcos Yu, Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre & Spa

Executive Committee

• Patrick Cappa, Chair
• Ellen Hryhor, Vice Chair and Treasurer
• Edwin Frizzell, Past Chair
• Ryan Soderberg, Director at Large
• Zorica Drapic, Director at Large
• Peter Gillis, Director at Large
• Sara Anghel, President & CEO, GTHA (non-voting member)

 
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Toronto, ON (May 11, 2026) – Choice Hotels Canada is pleased to announce the opening of its latest Ascend Collection Hotel, the Inn on Prince Hotel & Conference Centre in Truro, Nova Scotia. Ascend Collection Hotels is Choice Hotels’ upscale soft brand, including resorts, historic properties and boutique hotels that offer guests a unique local experience.

Located less than one hour from Halifax Stanfield International Airport, Inn on Prince is an ideal home base for travellers exploring Truro and the Bay of Fundy area.

"This property is a wonderful addition to our Ascend Collection Hotel portfolio and a strong reflection of the independent spirit that defines the brand," says Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. "This property offers travellers a distinctive stay experience in the heart of Nova Scotia, and we are proud to welcome it to our growing Choice Hotels Canada family."

The hotel offers a range of convenient amenities, including Bistro on Prince, a full-service bar and restaurant with a seasonal patio, serving Canadian and Maritime favourites. The restaurant also offers complimentary hot breakfast each morning. Guests at this pet-friendly property can expect in-room smart TVs, mini fridges, coffee makers and microwaves, as well as an indoor heated pool, exercise room and laundry facility. The property will also undertake minor cosmetic refurbishments in the coming months.

The attached conference centre features flexible event space and bespoke catering options, with 11 meeting rooms ranging from boardrooms to ballrooms, capable of hosting everything from corporate meetings and conferences to weddings and family reunions.

"We’re thrilled to join the Ascend Hotel Collection and introduce even more travellers to everything our property and the Truro community have to offer," says Rickey Randhawa of the Mana Hotel Group, which owns the Inn on Prince Hotel & Conference Centre. "From our welcoming atmosphere to our convenient location and guest-focused amenities, we’re ready to deliver a memorable stay to each and every person who walks through our doors."

Located at 437 Prince Street, the Inn on Prince Hotel & Conference Centre gives guests convenient access to central Truro while delivering the distinctive character and local charm travellers expect from an Ascend Collection Hotel. For reservations, please visit choicehotels.com.

 
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Following the conclusion of the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, top industry leaders returned to the Black & Blue Steakhouse for the 2026 ORHMA Canadian Hotel VIP Leadership Dinner. What began over a decade ago has evolved into a cornerstone annual tradition, uniting executives from across the country to strengthen the bonds of industry leadership at these annual events both in Toronto and Vancouver.

A Focus on the Future

Hosted by Jason Cheskes, President of Above The Line Solutions, the evening provided a unique venue for colleagues to refresh existing relationships and cultivate new connections. Opening the dinner, Cheskes addressed a timely theme: the critical importance of facilitating professional development and networking opportunities for the industry’s up-and-coming leaders. The sentiment resonated with attendees, many of whom noted the pivotal role such conferences and events played in their own career trajectories.

Emad Yacoub, President and CEO of Glowbal Restaurant Group, made a point of joining Jason to personally welcome the group to the restaurant and encouraged all to visit to the newly opened Toronto location of Riley’s Fish & Steak with his uniquely charming humorous approach.

Voices from the Industry

The value of the gathering was echoed by Mark Reeves, IHG Vice-President of Franchise Support, who noted:

Mark Reeves, IHG Vice-President of Franchise Support, shared “Thank you Jason for organizing such a great event…it was quite a reunion for all of us as the business of hospitality has us all working diligently in our own worlds and we rarely are able to network with colleagues and friends in the industry in this way.  It was a very worthwhile evening for us all and a reminder of how much we do collectively. I look forward to more of these opportunities and the upcoming Ontario Hospitality Conference.”

Guest included Accor, Marriott, Wyndham, Choice, Hotel Equities, Innvest, Hyatt, Sandman, Best Western, IHG, Westmont, Atlific, Coast, Realstar, Omni, LHM, Mariet, Listel, MasterBUILT, Diamond, Genesis, Bayview Hospitality, Synvest, Primevest, as well as ORHMA, HAC, GTHA, National Bank and CFO.

This year’s sponsors of the dinner included RHB, Rogers, Eden Textile, Serta Simmons, Gordon Williams Corp, Nerval, Western Financial and Foodbuy. Recognition of to Frank Yeo of Mercury publications for his ongoing support and arranging the event photographer also was included.

Looking ahead

Tony Elenis, President and CEO of ORHMA, shared that the 5th Ontario Hospitality Conference with the OHI-We Are Hospitality Hall of Fame Awards will be taking place this year October 19-20.   For more information, please visit www.ontariohospitalityconference.com

The next Canadian Hotel VIP Leadership dinner will take place October 29th following the Western Canadian Lodging Conference.

 

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