OTTAWA, ON.—The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) announced the retirement of President Anthony P. Pollard effective August 31, 2016. Born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Pollard studied at the University of Western Ontario and McGill University and graduated from Concordia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and from Carleton University with a Masters in Philosophy (Canadian Government and International Politics). He has 36 years of government relations experience having served earlier in his career as Special Assistant to the federal Minister of Transport and Senior Policy Advisor to the Secretary of State. Pollard has been the President of the Hotel Association of Canada since the establishment of its national office in Ottawa, Ontario in 1991.
“I am grateful to have spent the past 25 years with the Association working on behalf of our members and the Canadian Lodging Industry,” said Pollard. “I am very proud of what the HAC has accomplished during the past two plus decades.”
In addition to being the advocate and spokesperson for the Canadian lodging industry, Pollard has written various publications including, “Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes” and “Green Key—An Overnight Success Eleven Years in the Making.” In 2011 he was the winner of the USA Today Award of Excellence for his publication “Hospitality for Chinese Guests.” He is a frequent guest speaker and a sought after industry expert by national and international media. Pollard has held a variety of voluntary positions including that of Vice-President of the International Hotel and Restaurant Association (IHRA), member of the Board of Directors of the IHRA, the University of Guelph, Humber College, Algonquin College and Tourism HR Canada. He is a founding member of the Government Relations Institute of Canada and was the volunteer President of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario. He served as an active member on many committees with Destination Canada and is a member of the Editorial Board of Canadian Lodging News.
Pistilli Environmental Award Winner
Additionally Pollard has been awarded the Ordre du Merite Hotelier du Quebec, the Pinnacle Award, the Pistilli Environmental Award and the Confrérie internationale des Amis de l’Hotellerie et de la Restauration. In 2012 Pollard was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for dedicated service to his peers, to the community and to Canada. That same year he was the recipient of Hotelier Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
“Tony Pollard has provided invaluable leadership for the HAC and our industry,” said Philippe Gadbois, Chairman, HAC. “His consistent and resolute focus on working with members to improve the industry has distinguished the HAC and made it what it is today, the effective voice of the Canadian hotel and lodging industry. We are indebted to his vision and commitment to propelling the association and the industry forward.”
A champagne toast celebrating Pollard’s 25 years with the HAC will be held at the Hotel Association of Canada Conference March 1, 2016 at the Hilton Toronto Downtown.
