37th Annual Business & Tourism Conference

Hard to believe that in just two short weeks, the 37th Annual Business & Tourism conference will be here. On Thursday, October 27th, the Business & Tourism Society hosts an incredibly exciting day of speakers, sessions, networking opportunities and industry connections.

Not to mention some great food, friends and fun!

It's nearly impossible to believe that students can pick up tickets for this event for just $30 dollars from the Business & Tourism office in Seton Annex on campus.

To listen to Phil Otto, President of Revolve, speak about the value of brands in business would be worth far more than $30. I know - I've heard him speak. Not only does he give an awesome presentation, he actually walks the walk every single day at Revolve here in Halifax.

But you also get to start the day with Chris Webb, artist and motivational speaker. Don't worry about drinking too much coffee that day - Chris will have you pumped up as our very first speaker! And you also get either a session focused directly on entrepreneurship OR work and motivation.

No. We're not finished yet. This is just what we have in store before lunch.

During the afternoon, you will interact with both a panel of top CEOs in the Halifax region as well as Human Resource panels from a variety of specific industry areas. A little something for everyone! We wrap up the afternoon watching some MSVU marketing videos crafted by our students and judged live in the Multi-Purpose Room.

An incredible value for $30, I know. But we're not done yet.

At 5 pm, we invite industry members to join us in our networking reception and silent auction. This is followed directly with our conference dinner and keynote address from Barry L. Green, aka "The Unity Guy". Barry will inspire you to think about your connections in a deeper way, wrapping up our conference with his core message of unity. Barry is not someone to be missed.

Get your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets are flying out of the office and space is limited. You do not want to miss this conference - we'll be talking about it for months.

PS - Of course our friends in the business & tourism industries are welcomed (encouraged!) to join us for the reception, silent auction, dinner and amazing keynote address. Contact me directly at william.murray@msvu.ca for details and ticket prices.

World Tourism Day 2011

When we think of tourism, our thoughts on it can go far back into the developments of early human civilizations, back to when people started moving from one point to another in an effort to sell their wares. Perhaps we can think of the services set up to support trade along the Silk routes in Asia or of the support system set up for military and industrial transportation throughout the Roman Empire.

Our industry, tourism, is one with a history measured in millennia. Yet, we remain an industry still in early development.

Thirty one years ago on September 27^th, the United Nations adopted the statutes of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Being accepted and recognized at such an international level brought focus to tourism as a worldwide industry. Ten years later, September 27^th was celebrated by the UNWTO as World Tourism Day as a focal point to continue bringing attention to our industry.

According to the UNWTO, last year alone, over 940 million world tourists travelled outside of their home countries. They interacted with people of different backgrounds and histories, experienced new foods and traditions, and appreciated art, language and music not found in their own countries. These experiences speak to the importance of labelling World Tourism Day 2011 with the theme “Linking Cultures”.

Speaking on the importance of culture, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said last month,

“Culture is one of our most precious assets and needs protecting. As we launch World Tourism Day 2011, I call on all people to conduct tourism in a way that preserves and enriches the cultural wealth of the world for future generations.”

As more people cross borders, our appreciation for culture and heritage grows. Some believe that increased global peace may actually be positively influenced through a growth in international tourism. Whether or not this lofty goal is realistic, we can surely understand that increased knowledge of other cultures no longer allows us to speak in abstracts. It is much harder to ‘other’ those from countries once we have experiences their culture and enjoyed their hospitality.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sends out this message for World Tourism Day 2011:

“World Tourism Day is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of tourism to global well-being. As we travel, let us engage with other cultures and celebrate human diversity. On this observance, let us recognize tourism as a force for a more tolerant, open and united world.”

On this day of recognition, take some time to reflect on the importance of cultural understanding as a bridge leading to tolerance. Take a few moments to engage with other cultures in your workplace, your customer base, or in your classroom. Most importantly, commit to celebrating the diversity of the human experiences that we are so fortunate to be surrounded by.

Happy World Tourism Day!

Starting the semester at full speed!

WOW! The first couple of weeks have just flown by this semester! Hopefully, everyone is getting settled into their routines, becoming comfortable in their classes, and meeting new friends.

Planning is the key to keeping on top of all the amazing opportunities here at the Mount. As we move forward, it is a good idea to star a few key dates in your calendar. Here are a few critical dates:

First of all, we have our 37th annual Business & Tourism conference coming up on Thursday October 27th: Learners & Leaders - Igniting Success. This student conference will bring you together with business & tourism professionals, CEOs, and human resources experts. In addition, we have a series of inspiring keynote speakers throughout the day. Not only will you be there with your Mount peers, but you'll be joined by colleges students travelling in from both NBCC and NSCC campuses.

Be sure to save this day! You do not want to miss the conference.

Secondly, during the first week in November, we will be hosting another set of professional panels during Career Week. Professionals, operators, managers, business owners and HR directors will be coming to the Mount to engage with students in specific areas about career paths and opportunities. Last year, these gatherings were so successful that they have become a twice-a-year event. Click here to see videos of earlier panels:

Be sure to stay turned to this blog. We'll be passing along information, tips, and tools that will all help your success here at the Mount!

Vincent's Restaurant Is Open!

Vincent's will be open for lunch on Friday, March 4th and Friday, March 18th. Reservations are available from 11:30 - 2:00 pm.
Vincent's will be open for dinner on Wednesday, February 9th. Reservations are available from 4:30 - 7:00 pm.
Please call 457-6516 or email vincents@msvu.ca to make a reservation.
Go to www.msvu.ca/vincents for more information!