2010 News

16 November 2010

For every pet-friendly hotel room booked, Pacrim Hospitality will donate $10 to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

(Ottawa) - Think pets and hotels don’t go together? Think again! Travelers can find pet-friendly hotel accommodations across North America through Pacrim Hospitality’s Purrrfect Place to Paws program. As an added bonus, Pacrim Hospitality makes a contribution to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) for every night booked in participating pet-friendly hotels.

For the month of December only, the value of that contribution will be doubled, with $10 going to the CFHS per night booked. Pacrim Hospitality will also waive the pet fee for guests staying at participating hotels in December.

"At Pacrim Hospitality we believe in giving back, and it makes it that much more special during the holiday season," says Kris Crundwell, Vice President of Sales for Pacrim Hospitality.

Travelers with pets have over 50 participating hotels across North America to choose from, including several well-known chains. Each is outfitted with pet-friendly rooms, and guests are provided with pet treats on arrival.

Travelers can find participating hotels and make bookings by visiting www.purrrfectplacetopaws.com or call toll free 1-877-672-PETS (7387).

“The contributions made to the CFHS through this program are helping us improve animals’ lives across Canada,” says Steve Carroll, CEO of the CFHS. “We thank every traveler who supports our work by opting to stay in a participating pet-friendly hotel.”

About the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies: The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) is the national voice of humane societies and SPCAs. Since 1957, it has worked on behalf of its member societies to educate Canadians about animal welfare and advocate for the humane treatment of animals in communities, on the farm, in the lab and in the wild.

02 November 2010

On October 20, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax presented 14 Community Mentoring Awards at their Gala event at the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. These awards were presented to deserving community members who practice mentoring in their every day lives, and in doing so, have a tremendous, positive impact on their neighbourhoods, organizations, schools or workplaces.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters knows the value of mentoring in our community," says Carol Goddard, Executive Director of the agency. "Through our youth mentoring programs, we witness how a relationship with a mentor makes a big difference in the life of a young person. We know there are lots of terrific mentors in Greater Halifax, from all walks of life, all age ranges and across all backgrounds and traditions. Our Community Mentoring Awards will celebrate the outstanding contributions of these people."

Kris Crundwell, one of the award recipients, was nominated for the award by one of his staff members at Pacrim Hospitality, who described him as inspirational, motivational and someone who leads by example. Kris, who is also a Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax and a former Big Brother, says he was humbled by the nomination. "It was a great honour to be among the award recipients," said Kris. "I am lucky to have had wonderful mentors in my life, who helped shape the person I am today. I try to follow their examples in the way I live each day, because I know how important their encouragement and guidance was to me."

The Community Mentoring Awards Gala, was tremendously successful, raising nearly $47,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters. Funds were raised through live and silent auction items, and with the support of a number of sponsors. Platinum sponsors this year, included CTV, Pacrim Hospitality Services, Eden Resorts and Winners. To read about all the award recipients and to view all of the sponsors, visit www.bigbrothersbigsistershalifax.ca for details.

For more information, please contact Shelda Cochrane, Communications Manager, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Halifax (902.466.5437) or email shelda.cochrane@bigbrosis.org

01 November 2010

Purrrfect Place to Paws, the pet-friendly accommodation program, has donated over $4,000 to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, the only voice of humane societies and SPCAs in Canada.

For each night’s accommodation booked by a traveller and their pet at a Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. hotel, a contribution was made to the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies supporting its efforts to promote humane treatment of animals. “The CFHS is thrilled with the support it has received from Canadians through the Purrrfect Place to Paws program” says Chief Executive Officer Steve Carroll. “The contributions from this program will be put towards our work promoting the adoption option, pushing for better standards of care for farm animals and fighting to end all kinds of animal cruelty,” he said. Hotels in the Pacrim Hospitality Services portfolio offer hotel guests travelling with their pets, comfortable pet-friendly accommodation and special pet “treats”.

The pet-friendly program can be booked with any of Pacrim’s participating hotels online at www.purrrfectplacetopaws.com, toll free at 1-877-672-7387 (PETS) or by calling the hotel directly. Intergy eMarketing and Reservation Solutions, a division of PHSI, is the technology partner for this initiative.

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) is the only national voice of humane societies and SPCAs. We work collaboratively with our member societies and Canadians coast to coast to promote respect and humane treatment toward all animals. To learn more or to donate, visit www.cfhs.ca.

29 October 2010

Effective October 1, 2010, The Battery Hotel & Conference Centre, St. John’s, NL will be included in the international management portfolio of Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc., CEO Glenn Squires announced today.

Located on the slopes of historic Signal Hill, this property boasts “a million dollar panoramic view” of St. John’s harbour and the downtown. It is a short taxi ride from the airport, and a 15 minute walk to downtown bars, restaurants, shopping and a 5 minute walk to 3 spectacular ocean-view hiking trails. The Battery Hotel & Conference Centre provides affordable hotel accommodations in St. John’s, offering 128 well-appointed guestrooms and suites, a new fitness center, newly expanded harbour view bar, two restaurants, 11 meeting rooms for 10 to 250 guests and two dining rooms seating 300 and 125 guests. “The service its loyal guests have come to enjoy will be enhanced by a planned renovation and re-branding of the hotel. Details of the renovation and re-branding will be announced very soon, said Glenn Squires. Travellers are discerning and Pacrim’s network of hospitality professionals, coast to coast, have a reputation for ensuring the high standards our guests expect. We have no doubt that The Battery Hotel & Conference Centre will grow in popularity with enhanced guest service and the forthcoming renovation and re-branding.”

29 October 2010

The Holiday Inn Conference Centre, Suffern, New York is the latest addition to the management portfolio of Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. (Pacrim), CEO Glenn Squires announced today.

“We are delighted to have secured management of our first hotel in the State of New York.  Effective June 29, 2010 this 243 room full service Holiday Inn branded became the third US hotel in Pacrim’s portfolio along with the Holiday Inn Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and the Holiday Inn Bonita Springs, Florida,” Mr.  Squires said.

“Pacrim  is proud to work with General Manager, Elie Fraiha and the staff of the Holiday Inn Suffern and along with each employee, we look forward to delivering authentic hospitality to the business and leisure guests of this property,” Mr. Squires said.

Conveniently located right off the New York State Thruway, exit 14B, the Holiday Inn Conference Centre Suffern is just a short distance from New York’s airports – 45 miles from La Guardia, 36 miles from Newark and 26 miles from JFK.  The hotel has 11 meeting rooms with the capacity to host up to 750 guests, along with the Terrace Café and the Gatsby’s Lounge and Restaurant and many other amenities.  For more information on this hotel, please go to www.hisuffern.com.

15 February 2010

Two hospitality projects with a combined value of more than $30 million are in the advanced planning stages for the Truro Power Centre Millbrook Mi’kmaq First Nation Chief Lawrence Paul and Glenn Squires, CEO of Pacrim Hospitality Services Inc. (PHSI) announced today.

The two, partners in both projects, said planning for a new concept restaurant/retail facility and a major destination attraction—an indoor water park and hotel—at the Truro site are “well-advanced and will be signature additions to the provincial hospitality industry.”

A 30,000 square foot indoor water park—Splash! Universe—and adjacent new 100-room hotel with amenities will take 18 months to develop “but will be worth the wait,” Chief Paul and Mr. Squires said. “This project is unique in eastern Canada” and will be a year-round attraction and destination resort that offers Atlantic Canadians and visitors a new motivation to travel within the region. “Throughout the US and in locations in Canada indoor water parks are family favourites and we have partnered with the expertise of U.S.-based Splash! Universe to plan the project,” Mr. Squires said.  Ground breaking is expected late this year with opening in the spring of 2012.

The 150 seat Atlantic Canada-themed restaurant will be located in an existing building at the Truro Power Centre and will be the flagship project for what is anticipated to be a number of restaurant and gift shops throughout the region. “We are confident that this project, featuring Atlantic Canada cuisine combined with retail opportunities heavily featuring local products and artifacts will appeal to the tastes of both residents and visitors to the area,” Glenn Squires said. Work on the restaurant project will begin in the March 2010 with the opening in June.

“Pacrim Hospitality is proud to partner with Millbrook First Nation on these projects,” Mr. Squires said. “We developed with Millbrook and have operated a successful Super 8 hotel at the Truro Power Centre Site for almost a decade,” he said. “We are excited to be embarking on two new and ground-breaking efforts.”