Québec City, Monday, December 15, 2025 – Following the official awarding of recognition to three additional concierges last month, has reached a historic milestone, it now holds the highest number of Les Clefs d’Or members of any hotel in Canada. With these new distinctions, the property proudly counts ten of the finest hotel concierges in the world, each proudly wearing the iconic crossed golden keys—the international symbol of excellence and unwavering dedication to guest service. This recognition highlights the essential work of our concierge team, who guide, advise and support our guests daily, uncovering the best the city has to offer and curating truly memorable experiences.

“We are extremely proud that our concierge team is recognized among the best in the world. Every day, they bring their expertise and passion to our guests, ensuring each stay at the Château is unforgettable. Congratulations—and above all, thank you—to our entire Les Clefs d’Or team between our concierge desks: Jason Turpin, Guillaume Giordano, Eric Sabetta, Catherine Leblanc, Iris Germain, Stéphanie Guay, Diane Gauthier, Maleni Rendon Chavez, Christine Gingras and Francis Bélanger,” says Simon Bovoli, Director of Luxury Experience & Concierge Services.

LES CLEFS D’OR – THE ELITE OF CONCIERGE SERVICE

Les Clefs d’Or is a prestigious international association of professional hotel concierges, with nearly 4,000 members across more than 80 countries and 530 destinations. Instantly recognizable by the crossed golden keys worn on their lapels, these concierges form an elite worldwide network committed to continuous professional development and exceptional guest service. Officially founded in France in 1952, with origins dating back to 1929, the organization is built on its core motto: service through friendship. Serving more than 100 million travelers annually, Les Clefs d’Or members handle requests ranging from the everyday to the truly extraordinary, relying on unparalleled local expertise and the strength of their global network. From Berlin to New York, Paris to Tokyo, no one knows the world—or delivers service with such inspired dedication—quite like Les Clefs d’Or concierges.

A SELECTION PROCESS AS DEMANDING AS ITS PRESTIGE

Becoming a Les Clefs d’Or member marks the culmination of an exceptionally rigorous journey. To qualify for the golden keys, candidates must have at least five years of hospitality experience, with a minimum of two specifically as a concierge, and must demonstrate impeccable professionalism. Before being admitted to the official examination, their abilities are tested through six mystery evaluations conducted over a two to three months period by their regional peers. This phase assesses, in real service conditions, the finesse, precision and excellence of their daily guest interactions. Candidates then advance to the final stage: an extensive, month-long practical examination. They must design a detailed, cross-Canada itinerary featuring truly exclusive experiences made possible through their professional relationships across the country. This in-depth evaluation encompasses a wide range of skills, including ethical knowledge, foreign language proficiency, and foundational sommelier principles, and concludes with an oral presentation before established members. Upon successful completion, the candidate’s file is reviewed by the regional council, then by the national council, which formally confirms their admission into this international fraternity built on excellence, trust and mentorship.

TORONTO, ON (December 10, 2025) − Choice Hotels Canada today announced the appointment of Sandro Ragogna as its new Chief Financial Officer.

Contributing to the company’s efforts to continue bolstering its growth following Choice Hotels International’s full acquisition of Choice Hotels Canada earlier this year, in this role, Ragogna will lead accounting, financial operations, franchise planning and agreements, contract administration, procurement and Environmental, Social, and Governance, IT/administration, and privacy and legal functions. Reporting to the CEO, Brian Leon, he will be based out of the Choice Hotels Canada head office in Mississauga.

“Sandro’s considerable expertise brings even more bench strength to our Canadian team, especially as our portfolio of hotel brands has expanded exponentially since the ownership change,” said Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. “As part of his responsibilities as CFO, he will play a critical role in providing strategic and operational support across the organization.”

Ragogna brings two decades of financial leadership across a range of ownership structures, including family-owned, private equity-backed and multinational companies. He previously held senior leadership roles at Hays, a workforce solutions and recruitment company, Multy Home, a global manufacturer of outdoor living products, and chocolate manufacturerLindt & Sprüngli.   He is a Chartered Professional Accountant, Certified Management Accountant and holds a degree in Economics and Business from Wilfred Laurier University.

Colliers Hotels, as exclusive advisor to St. Thomas Development Inc., is pleased to announce the successful sale of the 108,000 SF commercial podium at 80 Queen Street East to Sunray Group.

Strategically located within the vibrant 88 Queen East mixed-use development, the six-storey podium will be home to a 164-key AC Marriott Hotel, slated to open in 2026. The Hotel will feature a destination restaurant and a sophisticated lobby lounge, enhancing its appeal to both leisure and business travelers.

The Hotel’s interior design is being curated by internationally acclaimed firm Yabu Pushelberg, while the architectural vision for the four-tower 1.05 million SF campus has been realized by Hariri Pontarini Architects, further elevating the development’s profile in Toronto’s urban core.

This transaction marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Toronto’s hospitality landscape and underscores continued investor confidence in the city’s downtown market. We appreciate the complexity of this transaction and extend our sincere thanks to the St. Thomas Development team, led by Patrick Quigley, as well as the Sunray team, including Ray Gupta, Chairman & CEO, Kenny Gibson, President & COO, and Sandeep Gupta, President, Hotels.

MISSISSAUGA, ON – DECEMBER 3, 2025

The Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) is proud to introduce its newest member offering, “Ask an Immigration Expert”, a new complimentary service exclusive to ORHMA members. Developed in partnership with Cathryn Sawicki, a leading immigration lawyer from Serotte Law, this offering connects hospitality operators directly with expert legal guidance to help them navigate today’s complex immigration landscape.

Available through a dedicated online portal and a series of regular virtual webinars with open Q&A forums, the portal gives members access to reliable information and answers to the immigration questions impacting their businesses.

“We continue to enhance ORHMA’s offerings to provide practical, high-value support to our members,” says Tony Elenis, ORHMA President & CEO. “The ‘Ask an Immigration Expert’ service adds real value, especially during these uncertain times. By helping our members understand and navigate immigration, we’re widening our support in meaningful ways that strengthen their business operations.”

This new member service comes at a time when employers across the hospitality industry are struggling to fill vacancies and manage changing immigration requirements. Immigration has become a vital workforce solution - but one that’s often difficult to navigate without legal expertise.

Through this initiative, members will be able to:

• Submit their immigration-related questions through ORHMA’s online portal
• Access a curated library of immigration insights and legal guidance tailored to hospitality
• Participate in regular webinars hosted by Cathryn Sawicki, featuring live Q&A discussions

This service eliminates guesswork and allows operators to act confidently when it comes to international recruitment and compliance.

“Immigration is a key part of workforce development in the hospitality industry. With this new service, we’re helping operators access the expert support they need to build and sustain strong teams,” says Fatima Finnegan, VP of Workforce Initiatives & Industry Relations at ORHMA. “We know our members are navigating complex employment challenges, and this program is another way we’re standing with them - offering practical solutions that support long-term workforce growth.”

We are pleased to welcome Cathryn Sawicki, Senior Partner at Serotte Law Canada, as the official immigration lawyer for ORHMA’s new “Ask an Immigration Expert” member resource. She is a member in good standing with both the Canadian Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario, and holds the prestigious designation of Certified Specialist in Immigration and Citizenship Law - a recognition awarded to lawyers who demonstrate exceptional expertise in their field. Cathryn brings a wealth of knowledge in compliance, immigration processing, and strategic immigration solutions, making her an invaluable resource for ORHMA members seeking guidance in today’s complex immigration landscape.

“Ask an Immigration Expert” is complimentary and available now and is part of ORHMA’s continued commitment to helping members overcome workforce challenges and stay informed in a constantly changing environment. Members can access the portal and register for upcoming sessions by visiting the portal