VANCOUVER — The British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA) has announced the finalists for its 2025 Awards of Excellence. These awards recognize the achievements of British Columbia’s hospitality professionals and businesses, highlighting their dedication to excellence, innovation and service. Winners will be celebrated at the Awards Gala on April 23, as part of the 2025 BCHA Summit, taking place at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver.
“The 2025 BCHA Awards of Excellence finalists are an inspiration to us all,” says Paul Hawes, president and CEO of the BCHA. “The passion, dedication and commitment to excellence demonstrated by these individuals and establishments highlight not only the strength and vibrancy of the B.C. hospitality industry, but also its role as a professional sector. This is an industry where people build rewarding, lifelong careers doing what they love. We’re excited to celebrate their achievements at the BCHA Summit.”
The finalists for the 2025 Awards of Excellence are:
Accommodation of the Year
- The Parkside Hotel & Spa (Victoria)
- Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre (Sun Peaks, B.C.)
- Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Housekeeping Excellence
- Paradox Hotel Vancouver
- The Cove Lakeside Resort (Kelowna, B.C.)
- Crystal Lodge (Whistler, B.C.)
Community Contribution
- John Kearns, general manager, Sheraton Vancouver Guildford Hotel
- Ozzy Goksel, director of Rooms, Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel
- Lisa Jaager, general manager, Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa
Leader of the Future
- Eddie Salehi, director of Room, Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
- Amandeep Kaur, Sales manager, Sandman Hotel Group
Hotelier of the Year
- Jocelyn Bennett, general manager, Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
- Kimberly Hughes, general manager, Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
- Chelan Goonetilleke, general manager, Four Seasons Resort and Residences Whistler
Culinary Excellence
- Renee Lauzon, Food and Beverage manager, The Courtney Room, Magnolia Hotel (Victoria)
- Mitch Shafer, executive chef, Cordo Resto + Bar, Delta Hotels by Marriott Kamloops
- Lukas Exelby, chef, Treetop Tapas & Grill, Tigh-Na-Mara Resort (Parksville, B.C.)
Sustainability Champion
- Best Western Plus Kelowna Hotel & Suites
- Blackrock Oceanfront Resort (Ucluelet, B.C.)
- Sandman Hotel Group (Kelowna, B.C.)
