Call for Nominations

If you know someone in the hotel industry in Canada who is deserving of nomination for any of the awards below, please do so....even vote for yourself. For instance, if you know a student who stands out and would benefit from the bursary, or an outstanding supplier, say perhaps a recruiter for hotels(ahem!), then vote for them at www.hotelassociation.ca and click the “Awards” link on the main page!

Call for Entries
HAC Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence


The Hotel Association of Canada (HAC) is now accepting entries for the 2009 Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence. Now in its sixth year the Hall of Fame Awards program continues the association’s tradition of acknowledging the strong standards and values of those involved in and with the lodging industry.

Each year the Hall of Fame Awards attracts more and more entries from HAC members across the country. The Awards program proudly recognizes those individuals, companies or properties that have demonstrated significant accomplishments, exemplary leadership and tireless commitment to our industry in the following divisions:


New! Outstanding Supplier Award
Recognizing Allied Members of the Hotel Association of Canada that have made a significant contribution to the Canadian lodging industry and to their individual lodging customers. Candidate will have provided outstanding customer service and support.

Nominations are also open for the Stephen Phillips Passion For Hospitality Bursary
This bursary is dedicated to the memory of Stephen Phillips, former Vice-Chairman & CEO of AFM Hospitality Corporation Inc., who passed away from cancer in early 2007. The bursary will be awarded to the hospitality student who best represents the qualities that Stephen Phillips brought to the industry.

The Humanitarian Award
Given for individuals/programs that demonstrate to residents that the individual property is responsive to the local community.

The Human Resources Award
Given for programs/individuals that develop a climate conducive to new and/or repeat business, create goodwill among guests, provide special services, reverse negative public relations situations or effectively solve guest complaints.

The Energy & Environment Award
Recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture towards integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations.

Winners will be honoured at an Awards Luncheon in February 2010 in conjunction with HAC’s Annual Conference at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON. To access the Hall of Fame Awards Call for Entries, and to view a list of past winners, visit www.hotelassociation.ca and click the “Awards” link on the main page. Deadline for submissions is November 23, 2009.

The Hotel Association of Canada is the national organization representing the lodging industry in Canada. Our membership encompasses the provincial and territorial hotel associations, the corporate hotel chains, independent hotels, motels and resorts and the many suppliers to the hotel industry. Our objective is to assist both our national and international members as they endeavour to enhance their competitiveness and achieve their bottom line.

Seriously Funny Japanese Drinks

If you've got a thirst for adventure, Japan is where you want to be.

Below is a list of soft drinks and beverages launched in Japan.....



Hot Calpis: the drink that makes you think - about NOT drinking it
Cue suave voiceover: "Next time you're out on the town with the one you love, treat her to a cup of Hot Calpis"... then trudge home alone after she pours it over your head. Yes, delicious Calpis - I can't even read it without grinning - is known as Calpico in other countries (for obvious reasons) and is one of Japan's most popular and enduring soft drinks .



Coolpis: Who wouldn't want to drink something with a name like Coolpis?
Ahh, refreshing Coolpis... THE soft drink to offer guests - before removing their blindfolds. Actually a Korean copy of the disturbingly named Calpis, Coolpis comes in Peach flavor and Kimchee flavor. Anyone for a Calpis vs. Coolpis taste test? We could call it a pis-ing contest.


Next,consider Water Salad... for what, we're not sure...

Water Salad is... well... salad-flavored water. You know, the stuff you get after centrifuging your rinsed romaine in the salad spinner. Funny, we pour it down the drain here; in Japan they can it and put it up for sale in a varied selection of flavors.



Diet Water: all the taste and none of the calories of regular water. Huh?

And now, from the "selling ice to the Eskimos" department, we bring you Diet Water: the soft drink for the soft headed. "None of that rich, fattening Perrier for me, I'm serious about shedding pounds!" Not to mention shedding money. "Diet Water of the rich and famous"? We're not sure what the appeal of Diet Water is... maybe it has negative calories.

Canned Coffee = Canned Laughter
Canned coffee has been a staple of those omnipresent Japanese drink vending machines since the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Nothing wrong with the coffee itself, which is actually quite good. It's the wacky names (c/o engrish.com ) the manufacturers insist on giving it that elevates Japanese canned coffee.



BM Coffee - Nothing beats a good BM to start the day!



BJ Coffee - I stand corrected.



Deepresso Coffee - Is this the opposite of Espresso, or a coffee designed to bring down Type A personalities?

And that wraps up our list of bizarre Japanese Soft Drinks (from inventorspot[dot]com). Japan sure is a wonderful place.