JASPER, AB, October 22, 2026 — Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge announces the return of Christmas in November, its signature holiday celebration in the Canadian Rockies. From November 6–15, 2026, guests are invited to savour exceptional dining, discover new culinary inspiration and enjoy a fresh take on alpine holiday traditions. Whether returning with loved ones or visiting for the first time, Christmas in November offers time to embrace the season before December’s rush.

“Christmas in November holds a special place in the hearts of our guests and our team,” said Garrett Turta, General Manager at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. “As we welcome it back, we wanted to thoughtfully evolve the experience and include elevated moments of surprise and delight, while preserving the spirit that has made this a treasured holiday ritual.”

Fresh Faces and Festive Flavours

Culinary demonstrations, tastings and seasonal workshops bring guests together with acclaimed chefs and creative presenters. This year’s lineup includes chefs Devan Rajkumar, Anna and Michael Olsen, Joseph Shawana and Emily Richards; pastry chef Said M’Dahoma; and Muhannad Al Ateem, Executive Chef at The Plaza Hotel. Joining them are registered dietitian and cookbook author Tori Wesszer, mixologist Christina Veira and arts and crafts expert Chris Standring, with Nik Manojlovich as event host.

Chefs will be preparing dishes in partnership with Alberta Beef, Alberta Pork, Suntory Global Spirits, Centennial, Charbonnel and Walker, and Charton Hobbs to further enrich the culinary experiences and celebrations throughout the stay.

Festive Nights

Evenings unfold through three signature celebrations, beginning with the Evergreen Chalet welcome reception, an elevated take on après that sets the celebratory tone for the days ahead. On the second evening, the Alpine Glow Dinner pairs festive dining with the evocative melodies of The Aurora Ensemble for an intimate gathering filled with warmth and elegance. The festivities culminate in the enchanting world of the Northern Lights Ball, where guests don their finest festive attire for a dazzling finale featuring the captivating voice of Canadian singer Nicolina Bozzo.

Time to Restore

Between celebrations, the mountain landscape invites guests to slow down and reconnect. Guided glacial plunges and wellness classes offer opportunities to restore body and mind, while unhurried time allows guests to embrace the art of doing nothing. Each day leaves room to rest, take in the surrounding natural beauty and explore the newly designed spaces throughout the reimagined resort.

Packages and Booking

Guests can choose from three dates for the three-night program, with the option to enhance their stay through the new Fireside Reserve experience.

• Three-Night Package | November 6-9, November 9-12 or November 12-15: Each stay includes a welcome reception and dinner, daily meals, culinary demonstrations, tastings, seasonal workshops and signature evening celebrations, concluding with a farewell breakfast and brunch. Packages start at $2,151 CAD per person, based on double occupancy in a Fairmont Room, plus applicable taxes and fees. Gratuities are included.

• Fireside Reserve: This exclusive enhancement to the three-night package includes a private Signature Cabin arrival experience, intimate culinary classes with celebrated chefs, a private Kitchen Party ahead of Alpine Afterglow, an exclusive book signing with Tori Wesszer, nightly scotch and port tastings, and special gifts. Available for an additional $700 CAD per person, per package, plus applicable taxes and fees.

Early reservations are encouraged, as availability is limited. Christmas in November is exclusively for guests aged 18 and older. To explore the program and book, visit https://www.jasper-park-lodge.com/offers/christmas-in-november-ebb/ or call 780-852-3301.

From October 5-6, the Westin Calgary Airport Hotel was buzzing with conversation as Alberta hoteliers from more than 250 hotel properties gathered together for Ascend 2026.

Over two days, hoteliers explored the economic forces, tourism trends, workforce realities, and policy issues influencing Alberta's hospitality industry. More than a conference, Ascend was a forum for collaboration, bringing the industry together to share ideas, strengthen connections, and help shape the future of Alberta hospitality.

Celebrating Our Approved Employers

Ascend 2026 began with an evening dedicated to recognizing hotels that are raising the bar for workplace excellence. AHLA celebrated members who have demonstrated a commitment to strong human resources practices, health and safety, risk management, and legal compliance through the Elevate Hotel HR & Safety Program.

With 31 hotels and 5,868 rooms now recognized as Approved Employers, more properties are using the program to strengthen their workplace culture and demonstrate their commitment to excellence.

Interested in becoming an Approved Employer? Learn more about the Elevate program and how your property can earn recognition for its commitment to workplace excellence.

Keynote Highlights: Pamela Barnum on Trust, Credibility, and Influence

The day opened with an engaging keynote from communication expert Pamela Barnum, who explored how trust is built through the signals we send every day. She challenged attendees to look beyond words and consider how body language, behaviour, timing, and follow-through shape credibility and influence. Through practical examples, Pamela demonstrated how hotel leaders can strengthen workplace relationships, navigate difficult conversations, and turn everyday interactions into opportunities to build trust and influence. As she reminded attendees, "We might not be able to control the situations we encounter, but we can control how we show up."

Alberta Market, Economy & Business Intelligence

Attendees gained a deeper understanding of the forces shaping Alberta's economic outlook, evolving tourism demand, findings from the Alberta Accommodation Outlook, and the energy market factors influencing operating costs. Together, these sessions helped attendees better understand the economic, market, and operational forces shaping Alberta hospitality, equipping them to make more informed decisions in the year ahead.

Insight Into Action

The conversation moved beyond trends and into practical action. Attendees gained a current snapshot of Alberta's labour market and compensation landscape, explored what success looks like in Alberta’s new destination marketing environment, and heard industry perspectives on risk, resilience, and operational readiness. Together, these sessions helped attendees turn industry insights into practical action, providing solutions they could take back to their properties.

Members Help To Shape the Future of AHLA

AHLA's Three-Year Strategy Session gave members the opportunity to help shape the association's direction through 2030. Through live polling and small-group discussions, hoteliers shared feedback on key priorities, industry challenges, and where AHLA can deliver the greatest value.

The conference closed with Advocacy Activator, a session led by Laurie Chandler, Vice President, Public Affairs, where she provided attendees with practical strategies to engage with their local elected officials. As she stated “political risk is business risk” and hoteliers need to build relationships with the people making decisions that impact their business, before they need a favour.

Thank You To Our Sponsors

Ascend 2026 would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors and vendors. Their contributions helped create valuable opportunities for learning, networking, and collaboration throughout the conference. We also extend our sincere thanks to the team at the Westin Calgary Airport Hotel for their exceptional hospitality and attention to detail. Their dedication helped create a welcoming and seamless experience for attendees.

Final Thoughts

Ascend 2026 brought Alberta's hotel industry together to explore the trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the road ahead. Ascend wasn’t just a conference. It's where Alberta's hotel leaders came together to better understand the forces shaping their businesses, strengthen industry connections, and help shape the future of hospitality.

The conversations don't end at Ascend. Keep the momentum going by staying connected with AHLA and the issues shaping our industry.

Oshkosh, Wis. – Oct. 19, 2026 – Continental Laundry Solutions (Continental) recently welcomed Shelley Krocka-Jourdan as procurement manager. She brings 7 years of purchasing experience to the company.

“We are happy to welcome Shelley to our Continental team and look forward to her many contributions as our company grows and expands,” said President Mike Floyd.

In her new role as procurement manager, Krocka-Jourdan handles equipment and parts inventory strategy, sourcing and fulfillment performance for Continental’s commercial and industrial equipment across North America. She also works to ensure accurate parts data and optimized inventory levels along with strong supplier partnerships.

Krocka-Jourdan holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from UW-Stevens Point.

“Everyone at Continental works together as a team,” said Krocka-Jourdan. “Most people here have tenure behind them, which illustrates that Continental is a strong company and values its people.”

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

VICTORIA, BC (October 19, 2026) – Fairmont Empress is pleased to announce the appointment of Demian Fuentes as the Director of Food and Beverage. In this role, Fuentes will oversee the property’s food and beverage operations, lead strategic growth initiatives, and further enhance the guest experience across its culinary and hospitality offerings.

A strategic hospitality executive with more than two decades of international experience, Fuentes has held senior leadership positions with some of the world’s most recognized luxury hospitality and lifestyle dining groups. His career spans the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Australia, with experience in international expansion, financial optimization, and executive team development. He has extensive experience overseeing multi-unit portfolios, leading pre-openings, developing restaurant concepts, and strengthening financial performance.

“I’m thrilled to join Fairmont Empress and begin this new chapter on Canada’s West Coast. Victoria has a distinctive culinary identity, shaped by local producers, its coastal setting, and a vibrant community, and I’m excited to be part of that energy,” said Demian Fuentes. “My goal is to build on the property’s legacy while elevating our outlets through thoughtful cuisine, genuine hospitality, and experiences that reflect the character of this region.”

Fuentes will oversee Tea at the Empress, one of Victoria’s most iconic traditions, serving more than 250,000 cups of tea annually and welcoming generations of guests from around the world. Tea at the Empress is a defining part of Victoria’s identity and a cherished ritual for visitors and locals. Under Fuentes’s leadership, he will build on the tea experience’s legacy—preserving its timeless sense of occasion while introducing a fresh perspective with seasonal touches.

In addition, Fuentes will usher in the next chapter of Q at the Empress. Building on its evolution, he will guide Q at the Empress toward a more elevated and immersive experience with a stronger sense of place. The vision is to create a dining experience that feels distinctly connected to the coast, the seasons, and the region’s local gatherers and producers.

In his purview are The Bengal, the hotel’s breakfast room and one of Victoria’s largest private dining rooms, and DASH, the new grab-and-go coffee shop located in the south wing of the hotel.