Sol Zia.

executive director

Sol Zia joined the Calgary Hotel Association (CHA), as Executive Director, in October of 2019. His 25+ year career has spanned growth and senior leadership positions across travel and tourism including Air Canada/Canadian Airlines, Sears Travel, TransAmerica, McCann Worldwide, Loyalty One/AIR MILES, WestJet and currently the Calgary Hotel Association.

In addition to his travel & tourism career, Sol has over a decade of experience in political advocacy, inter-government relations and Board leadership. He has been a past academic leader in the areas of Loyalty Programs, Revenue Management and Membership programs.

Sol has been active in Calgary and the Province advocating for the visitor economy locally and provincially and working collaboratively with his members, partners, and orders of Government to fulfill the Calgary Hotel Association strategic plan and to support its mission to create an optimal business environment for the hospitality, travel and tourism industry in Calgary through collaboration, investment, advocacy.

While the CHA’s primary body of work is around investment with significant partners including Tourism Calgary, Calgary Stampede and Calgary Arts Development, to name a few, advocacy success has been the most visible outcome from Sol’s delivery. Under Sol’s leadership Calgary remains the only municipal market in Canada to receive a comprehensive, multi-year, property tax deferral program for years 2020, 2021 and 2022, from the City of Calgary. A program that still has member properties structuring property tax well into 2025.

Calgary was also the only jurisdiction to provide support funding directly for sales efforts for hotels, amounting to $300,000 in pandemic recovery support funds, just for the hotel sector. Through 2021 and 2022, the CHA collaborated with City of Calgary Tax & Assessment to re-engineer the assessment and valuation formula with the City of Calgary and reduced assessment and valuation for tax purposes by over 33%.

Even with the multi-year decrease, most recently the Calgary Hotel Association supported re-assessment and valuation work, that reduced the increases proposed for 2024 to under 13%. Calgary is viewed as the role model for hotel proper property taxation by jurisdictions across the Country.

Nichole herman.

direcTOR OF finance 

Nichole joined the Calgary Hotel Association in January 2025 bringing two decades of experience to the Director of Finance role. She feels privileged to have worked across various industries, building and leading teams to develop and implement business processes tailored to organizational needs. Her professional journey has been complemented by a deep commitment to the nonprofit sector where she has contributed as a volunteer, board member and advocate. Nichole feels this involvement has enriched her ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, fostering meaningful relationships and community engagement.

Having lived in all four western provinces, Nichole has chosen Calgary as her home, drawn by its vibrant community and flair for everything country. Outside her professional and volunteer commitments, Nichole cherishes time spent with family, meditating, yoga and exploring new travel destinations, though the beach remains her favorite retreat, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and inspiration.

Svenja Sievers.

Finance support (part-time)

Svenja Sievers joined the Calgary Hotel Association in the role of Executive Assistant in April of 2016, with her primary responsibilities being the general administration and communications of the organization. During her tenure, Svenja was given the ability to take on additional responsibilities such as the financial management, and working closely with the Destination Marketing Fund (DMF) committees representing the four districts, and overseeing their strategic plans. Svenja has over 10 years’ experience in the hospitality industry.

Born and raised in Germany, Svenja started her hospitality career in Lake Louise where she met her husband and permanently moved to Canada in 2009. She has held various hotel positions ranging from Front Office Agent to Reservations Manager and most recently Area Revenue Manager being responsible for two properties in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.
 
Svenja was promoted to DMF Project Manager in January 2019, when she returned to the CHA after maternity leave.
 

gabriela amezcua.

Interim Manager, Member & Stakeholder Relations

Gabriela joined the Calgary Hotel Association in 2024 as Executive Assistant with the goal of supporting the executive director and help achieving the CHA’s mission and vision.

In a career spanning 10 years, Gabriela has focused on culture, the environment, and community relations. A native of Guadalajara, México, Gabriela moved to Calgary in 2021 along with her husband and two cats.

She loves Calgary’s connection to nature, which allows her to spend time outdoors, hiking and camping in the summer, and ice skating in the winter. She enjoys dining out and discovering new cuisines. She also enjoys cooking, hosting, and entertaining at home, exploring new flavors, ingredients, and recipes; taking care of details to make sure everyone feels at home.

Danny Marshall.

chair
General manager, Hilton Garden inn CALGARY DOWNTOWN & HOMEWOOD SUITES BY HILTON CALGARY DOWNTOWN

Danny Marshall started in the hospitality industry nearly 20 years ago as a banquet server.  Over his time in the industry, he has held various positions from banquet server to sales and catering to AGM.  He was promoted to the position of GM at the Royal Hotel Calgary, Trademark Collection by Wyndham, in January 2012 and was promoted to Director of Marketing, Royal Hotel Group in 2019.

Danny firmly believes that it is important that we give back to the community, which is why he took the leap and put his name forward for a CHA board position in January 2016.  Since being appointed and later elected that year, he has gratefully sat on the Finance and Audit committee, assuming the role of Chair of the Finance and Audit committee at the end of 2017 to November of 2020.  Danny has been elected Vice-Chair of the CHA Board in May of 2021.

As of October 2022, Danny joined Clarion Hotel and Conference Centre as the General Manager. The hotel rebranded to DoubleTree by Hilton Calgary North in December 2022. 

Peter Catarino.

Vice-chair
general manager, the westin calgary

Prior to Peter’s current role as the General Manager of the Westin Calgary, he held the role of General Manager of the Delta Vancouver Downtown Suites and the Calgary Marriott Downtown Hotel. Within weeks of assuming his post at the Delta Vancouver, Peter joined the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association (VHDA) and was appointed to the DMF Management committee. From this vantage point, he was intimately involved in helping to steer strategies to increase visitation and business volumes to Vancouver. In October 2011, Peter was appointed to the Board of the Hotel Association of Vancouver (HAV). In June 2014, Peter was appointed as Chair HAV and has worked with industry partners such as the BC Hotel Association, Tourism Vancouver, and TIABC to further the agenda of its membership.

Peter is a seasoned hotelier with over 26 years of experience, most of which he spent in progressive leadership positions within the Delta brand.  This includes his previous position as General Manager of Delta Whistler Village Suites, where he oversaw the hotel’s operations during the 2010 Winter Olympics.  Peter started with Delta as an Assistant Front Office Manager at Delta Toronto East and assumed increasing responsibility that included opening the Residences at Delta Sun Peaks.  He was an active member of the Whistler Hotel Association as one of the founders and was Chair of the committee.   As Director of Operations for Delta Sun Peaks, a profile hotel in Sun Peaks, Peter directly engaged with Tourism Sun Peaks and subsequently with other tourism members of the Thompson Okanagan region of the province.

Peter holds a Bachelor of Hospitality Management from Vancouver Community College and finished the Strata Management Program at the Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia.  Peter joined us in Calgary with his wife and two girls in 2018.

Sarah Henshaw.

chair of finance & audit committee
General Manager, Hilton Garden inn & homewood suites calgary downtown

Sarah Henshaw is currently the General Manager of the Hilton Garden Inn & Homewood Suites Calgary Downtown.  Her hospitality career has spanned Canada coast to coast, including luxury, full-service, midscale, and condo hotels.  

In previous roles, Sarah worked with Fairmont Hotels, IHG, and Radisson.  She has led teams through successful pre-openings, extensive renovations, and brand transitions and previously served on the board of the Canmore Hotel Association and the Canmore DMF.  

Dan DeSantis.

General Manager, Delta Hotels Calgary Airport In-Terminal & Calgary Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel & The westin calgary

Dan DeSantis has happily been in the Tourism and Hotel Industry for 37 years. He was born and raised in Calgary, AB, but his expertise and experience comes from past positions all over BC and AB. Dan’s background involves 3 years experience as a General Manager at Delta Whistler, 6 years as a General Manager at Delta Sunpeaks, and 8 years as a General Manager of the Delta Lodge at Kananaskis. 
Dan has enjoyed sitting on many committees in the past, directly involving him in the Tourism Industry. He has been a committee members for Tourism Sunpeaks, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and Improvement District Canmore/Kananaskis Committee. Dan’s past positions include Chair on Tourism Canmore/Kananaskis, and a member of AB Strategic Tourism Council. Dan also currently chairs the Board of Directors for Tourism Calgary. 
Outside of Tourism, Dan has participated in the Chicago marathon, Death Race, and has completed a triathlon and a duathlon. 
 

Karim Ismail.

Area Director of Operations, First Canadian Management Corporation

Karim Ismail has been a proud Calgarian for 20 years and is currently the Area Director of Operations with First Canadian Management Corporation, following his time as General Manager of the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre. His roles in serving the Calgary community provide him with purpose and satisfaction. He joined Rotary Club of Calgary East and is actively involved with the Rotary Foundation.

As Convener of the World Partnership Walk, an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation Canada, he is part of attracting thousands nationally to fundraise with a focus of eliminating poverty in developing countries.

In 2012, Karim was elected by the Calgary Hotel Association Board of Directors as Treasurer of the Association and served the CHA in this role until the end of 2017. He is a part of the steering committee for the 100 Club at SAIT, and also a member of the Board of Directors for Tourism Calgary. Karim has enjoyed being part of an evolving City in its endeavor as a leading destination in Canada.

Richard Main.

General Manager, delta hotels by Marriott Calgary downtown

Richard Main has been in his current General Manager position, for the Delta Hotel by Marriott Calgary Downtown, since April 2019 after 6 years at the Courtyard and Residence Inn by Marriott Calgary Airport. His career has taken him to numerous locations around the world in the Hospitality Industry, including Banff, Bermuda, The Netherlands, Bahrain, Egypt, Aruba and Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles. In 1999 Richard returned to Canada and joined Marriott International and has worked for Marriott since then in multiple cities of Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

Richard has a history of being actively involved in Tourism outside of his day to day role as a Hotel General Manager.  Richard is currently the Board Chairman for the Calgary Hotel Association, Vice Chair of Tourism Calgary and a member of SAIT’s Hospitality Management Advisory Board. He has also held positions with Hotel and Tourism Associations in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver.

maRK WIlson.

General Manager, Hotel arts

Mark Wilson is the Vice President of the Hotel Arts Hospitality Group, as well as a limited partner in the Hi Hotel Limited Partnership. This dynamic hospitality group has in its current portfolio the Hotel Arts, a 185-room designer boutique-style hotel in downtown Calgary that boasts two award winning restaurants (Raw Bar and Yellow Door Bistro) as well as a bustling catering and banquet business.  In the portfolio is also Hotel Arts Kensington, a 19-room boutique property in the trendy Kensington area, which also operates Oxbow Restaurant and Lounge. Mark is the General Manager of both properties.

Through a long and varied career in hospitality, Mark developed an invaluable experience base in a variety of local and international hotels and restaurants. Mark spent 6 years with the Hyatt Regency Calgary, and was part of the opening team as the Director of Catering and Conference Services and created an immediate presence in the marketplace. While at Hyatt Regency Calgary, Mark also worked as the Executive Assistant Manager, overseeing both the Rooms and Food and Beverage divisions.  Mark has also spent time opening international hotels with Hyatt Hotels and Resorts. 

Prior to the Hyatt, Mark added to his portfolio of hospitality experience spending 15 years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts in a variety of leadership capacities in operations, catering, and conference services.  Other experience included tenures with Cara Air Terminal Restaurants, Red Robin Restaurants of Canada, and gaining key experience in his family owned restaurants.

Mark maintains a close affiliation with his alma mater SAIT Polytechnic as a member of the advisory board for the Hospitality Management Program.  He currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre, and the Calgary Hotel Association. Mark is also a founding member of the Gala Committee for the Women for Men’s Health Initiative.  Mark is currently the Provincial Bailli of the Prairies for the Chaîne des Rotisseurs.  Mark is a former member of the Board of Directors for Tourism Calgary, the Regional Bailli of the Calgary chapter of the Chaîne des Rotisseurs, and a founding committee member for the Bill Brooks Prostate Cancer Fundraiser that helped raise over $9M in 19 years for the Calgary Prostate Cancer Centre. 

alisha reynolds.

vice president development (north america), NORTHLAND RESTAURANT group

Alisha is the Vice President of the Sandman Hotel Group, and is based in Calgary. Alisha oversees the company's portfolio of 13 hotels in Alberta, including a team of over 300 proud, Alberta-based employees and over 1,500 hotel rooms. Previously, she worked in the restaurant division of Sandman’s parent company – called Northland Properties – where she led real estate and development efforts for their brands, including Moxie’s, Denny’s, Chop Steakhouse, and Shark Club. Alisha has worked in a range of industries, including a variety within hospitality (golf and country clubs, hotels, and restaurants), as well as banking, and law. For a while, she even took herself seriously enough to become a corporate lawyer.

Alisha holds Bachelor of Commerce and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University, and a Master of Business Administration from Queen's University. She currently serves as the Board Chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta.

ken flores.

general manager, fairmont palliser 

Currently leading Fairmont Palliser, Ken relocated to Calgary in early 2021 to join the iconic prairie property. He arrived from Vancouver, where he was previously General Manager at both Fairmont Waterfront and Vancouver Airport properties, and recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with ACCOR, and Fairmont. Further back, Ken has held many senior roles with Fairmont properties in California, Texas, and Manitoba, in addition to British Columbia and now Alberta.

Before hotels, Ken held a number of tourism related roles—his first being as an usher at Vancouver’s World Exposition, Expo 86! Others include successive roles with Whistler Mountain and Hosteling International.

As a graduate of the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia, he balances his career in hotels, and passion for hospitality, with a lifelong passion for the outdoors. Ken is an avid birder and past volunteer with WildResearch, a non-profit organization that monitors migratory birds that travel through the Fraser River delta. While posted to properties in Vancouver, he also served as a board member, and first vice-chair, to the society that oversees the Parks Canada Gulf of Georgia national historic site. In addition to board roles with Tourism Vancouver and the Vancouver Hotel Association.

Ken currently lives in Calgary’s Northwest, with his wife and daughters.

martin gilbert.

general manager, courtyard & residence inn by marriott calgary airport

Martin Gilbert is a true hospitality industry leader. His passion for the led him to complete a certification in Hospitality Marketing, Strategic Business, and Asset Management from eCornell University. Today, he is a successful and accomplished industry professional with more than 25 years of experience in hospitality and tourism.

Equipped with a strong work ethic, Martin started his career in the hospitality industry in 1993 in Quebec City. From there, he moved on to Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Chateau Lake Louise in 1999, where he held a managerial position for 3 years. By 2004, he was Resort Activity Manager at The Fairmont Algonquin. During his 4-year stay, he quickly worked his way through the Hotel specializing in all aspects, from Food and Beverage and Recreation to Conference Services and Sales.

By 2007, he successfully attained the position of Sales Manager at The Fairmont Algonquin. In 2008, as Delta Fredericton’s Director of Sales and Marketing, he oversaw a dynamic Sales and Catering department at the hotel, focusing on National Sales and being an active participant in city wide strategic sales initiatives as well as sitting on the executive team for Tourism Fredericton.

Martin began his role of General Manager at the Delta Trois-Rivières in 2013. This experience has honed his high-level strategic thinking skills and during his time there, he initiated and was a key lead in the restructuration of the functionality of Tourism Trois-Rivières.

In late 2015, Martin moved to Saskatoon to take on the role of General Manager of the Delta Bessborough. He had a vision and desire to transform this iconic property in the Delta portfolio to better reflect the modern hospitality industry. Also, during his stay in Saskatoon, Martin was Chair of the Tourism Advisor Council and Vice Chair of the Saskatoon Tourism Board.

Fueled by his drive to continually challenge the status quo and anticipate customers’ changing needs with improved guest experiences, Martin moved to Calgary in 2019 to take on the position of Dual General Manager of the Courtyard and the Residence INN Calgary Airport. Taking pride in the details and being open to change in the 2020-2021 pandemic demonstrates how great of a leader he truly is.

In his 14 years at Marriott, Martin has emulated the Marriott core values - putting people first, pursuing excellence, embracing change, acting with integrity, and serving our world. Martin firmly believes and mirrors Marriott’s founder’s philosophy that when you take care of your associates, they will take better care of clients.

Martin leads a lively personal life where he enjoys golfing, boating, CrossFit, hiking and skiing. He loves spending time with his two sons, daughter, four grandkids, and his 2 golden retrievers. Martin has an appreciation for cooking and fine wine and has a level one certification in Sommelier.

kevin yates.

Vice president, Hospitality for Tsuut’ina Nation

With over 30 years of experience in the hospitality and tourism industry, Kevin had the privilege of building his career from the ground up. He started as a busboy in a small hotel in Red Deer, Alberta, which ignited his passion for hospitality and set the foundation for his journey.

He transitioned into sales and management roles with renowned brands such as Delta, Fairmont, and Marriott Hotels. His career has taken him across Alberta, from Edmonton to the breathtaking Rocky Mountain properties and back to his hometown of Calgary, where his roots run deep.

His focus eventually shifted to the dynamic world of casino resorts, working closely with Indigenous communities, whom he considers friends. This path led him to key roles at River Cree Resort and, now, to his position as Vice President of TsuuT’ina Hospitality at Grey Eagle Resort & Casino.

Academically, he studied Business at SAIT and pursued additional certification in Home Appraisal and Real Estate through the Sauder School of Business, eventually becoming a licensed real estate broker.

He is a past President of SKAL Calgary, has contributed to the oversight committee for Travel Alberta, and serves on the board of the Calgary Hotel Association.

Beyond his professional life, he is a proud father to three amazing children—Ayla, Brooklyn, and Connor. The hospitality industry has provided him with incredible opportunities and lifelong connections. He and his family are proud to call Calgary home and look forward to many more years in the city.

tiffany richards.

General Manager, fairfield inn & suites calgary downtown

Tiffany has a diverse hospitality background with experience in Sales, Marketing and Operations. After working in a regional sales role in the US and being on the road for 3 years, Tiffany moved to Calgary for the Director of Sales & Marketing role at the Calgary Marriott Downtown. While in this role, she was able to share her love for Calgary with guests and clients throughout the world.

She repositioned the Calgary Marriott Downtown within the market after the hotel completed a full renovation and she served as the Downtown Chair for the DMF Committee from 2014-2018. Tiffany stepped away from this role to take on new responsibilities at the Calgary Marriott Downtown and Delta Calgary Downtown, before accepting her current General Manager position at the Fairfield Inn & Suites Calgary Downtown.

She is excited to be the Chair of the DMF Committee as this will allow her to continue her Calgary advocacy role while the city recovers and repositions itself on the global stage.

John O’Connell.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation

John O’Connell has over 38 years experience in the industry and has spent the last 31 years with Hyatt Hotels, holding a variety of positions during that time.  Recently appointed as the General Manager of the Hyatt Regency Calgary, he has worked at 9 different hotels and was also the Corporate Director of Food and Beverage for the Americas region.

The places he has been:

• Hyatt Regency Boston Harbor

• Wild Dunes, A Destination by Hyatt Resort

• Hyatt Regency Buffalo

• Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort and Spa at Gainey Ranch

• Hyatt Regency Lake Las Vegas Resort and Spa

• Hyatt Regency La Jolla at the Aventine

• Hyatt Rickeys in Palo Alto

• Hyatt Regency Long Beach

• Hyatt Regency Sacramento

John graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a degree in Communications and Public Relations.  He has also attended Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration’s Professional Development Program.

His passion for wine and beverages led him to the top F&B spot with Hyatt, but it was growing up in northern California, close to the Napa Valley where he adopted wine as a hobby at young age and has been an aficionado ever since.  Professionally he has been a Certified Sommelier for 30 years.

John and his wife Judy really enjoy spending time outside with their golden retriever, Roxy.  We are both avid cyclists and hikers and are really looking forward to exploring all of the great outdoor activities that Alberta has to offer.

“I am honored to have been selected to lead the team in Calgary.  The culture of care is very evident in this hotel and it will be my pleasure to join the Hyatt family at this hotel that is such an icon in the community.”

heather hamilton.

vice president of sales, Pomeroy lodging

Heather joined Pomeroy Lodging in 2015 as a Director of Regional Sales. Prior to joining the organization, Heather spent a 25-year career in hotel sales leadership working with such brands as Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Radisson, and Best Western hotels on a national basis.

As the Vice President of Sales for Pomeroy Lodging currently responsible for leading customer relationship management, revenue management and Co-Chair of the Rural Discovery Destination Marketing Fund, Heather is responsible for leading a multi-faceted sales team focused on proactive revenue generation for the company’s limited service, full service and resort hotels. 

Heather has served on the Board of Directors for the Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association.

anisha patel.

general manager, courtyard & residence inn by marriott calgary airport

Prior to her current role as General Manager at the Courtyard and Residence Inn, Anisha held the Assistant Director of Finance role at the Calgary Marriott Downtown and then moved to Director of Finance at the Edmonton Marriott at River Cree Resort and the Marriott and Delta In-Terminal hotels, Area Director of Finance for Marriott Hotels of Canada, Western Canada and Market Director of Finance for Marriott’s Calgary market.  In her various roles, Anisha has been involved in a variety of Marriott’s brands, ranging from select service, full service and luxury hotels, driving positive financial results and earning the respect of hotel owners.   

Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it has fueled Anisha’s career in the hotel industry over the last twenty years to new heights with each new role.  While in Edmonton, she was the Chair of Marriott’s Children’s Miracle Network committee that raised $750,000 over five years, for children’s hospitals across Canada and close to home, the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton and the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary.

Anisha loves travelling to different parts of the world, exploring different communities, culture, history and cuisines; and holds a special place in her heart for Africa.