(l-r): Best Western's SVP – Brand Management & Member Services
Ron Pohl, SVP – Marketing & Sales Dorothy Dowling, Board Chair
Beth Campbell, President & CEO David Kong & CIO and SVP – Distribution and Strategic Services Scott Gibson
(l-r): Best Western's Dorothy Dowling, Cesar Millan & Best Western's Board Director Charlie Helm having a question-and-answer session during lunch
Cesar, sharing a moment with RCMP dog, Coyote
If humans had tails, they would have been wagging. TV star, “The Dog Whisperer” himself, Cesar Millan was the guest of honour at the Best Western International Convention’s lunch and really had tongues wagging.
This annual event, which attracted about 2,500 delegates, was held in Vancouver at the new annex of the Vancouver Convention Centre. Dorothy Dowling, Senior Vice President – Marketing & Sales, Best Western, announced a three-year partnership that the chain has signed with Millan to establish clearer guidelines on how to accommodate pets and educate pet owners at the same time. Currently, there are about 1,900 Best Western properties that are pet friendly.
Pets aside, a hot topic at the conference was the impending launch of new descriptors or sub-brands for the chain in North America. Starting in February 2011, all properties will be classified under three categories: Best Western, Best Western Plus (mid-market properties with AAA/CAA 3-diamond ratings) and Best Western Premier (their luxury level). More details will soon be available on the organization’s website, at the Best Western Academy, a dedicated learning tool for travel agents.
Back to Cesar. In town for his North American tour, fortunate delegates scored primo free seats at the Red Robinson Theatre in Coquitlam. There was even a VIP meet and greet session with the man himself before the show where Millan answered questions on addressing dog behaviour, posed for photos and signed autographed pictures of himself.
I managed to get an autographed photo of Millan and his favourite pooch, Daddy. A real treasure... wonder how much I can get for that on eBay?
