Victoria-based Accent Inns Inc. has been named Business of the Year by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
The family-owned chain has seven properties — five Accent Inns and two retro Hotel Zed properties in Victoria and Kelowna. A third Hotel Zed is to open next year in Tofino. The Farmer family has owned the company for 32 years. Mandy Farmer is president and chief executive.
The company said under her leadership, “the business has attracted a dream team of senior leadership and its net income has increased seven-and-a-half times since 2013.
“The success can be attributed to its innovative approach, employee passion and commitment, and the sprinkling of humour through everything they do,” an Accent statement said.
Farmer said she is delighted to win the award. “We have an incredible team who work tirelessly to provide the best guest experience. I am thrilled their efforts are being recognized.”
Finalists in the category included Adventure Canada of Mississauga, Ont., and Arpin Canoe Restigouche of Kedgwick, N.B.
Victoria’s Eagle Wing Tours won the association's Sustainable Tourism Award.
Arsenault named Chamber’s Member of the Year
Rose Arsenault is the Victoria Chamber’s Member of the Year.
Arsenault has been an active member of the Chamber since 2007 and has spent countless hours as a board and committee member — most recently, as an ambassador providing outreach and assistance to new members.
“Rose Arsenault has been a steadfast board director and volunteer at the Chamber. She is always ready to help our staff and provide guidance for our new members,” says Dan Dagg, chairman of the Chamber’s board of directors. “Her time and effort lending a hand is immeasurable, and we are very pleased to have the opportunity to recognize her contribution through the award.”
Arsenault is branch manager for Talentcor Victoria, where she has advised public and private employers on recruiting and human resource needs since 1997.
She was a member of the chamber board for eight years, serving as a member-at-large of the executive committee. She has also held positions with the Alzheimer Society advisory committee, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Better Business Bureau.
The Governors’ Lifetime Achievement Award, which honours an individual for his or her outstanding leadership and accomplishments over the decades, will be announced in January. Finalists for all 12 categories of the 2019 Greater Victoria Business Awards will be announced in February. The 2019 Business Awards Gala will be held May 16 at the Fairmont Empress.
