MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Jared Sissions
General Manager, Executive Hotel Vintage Park

La Vallee Restaurant Commercial
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwXk15ezOVM

Hotel Web Site
www.executivehotels.net/downtown

Restaurant Web Site
www.lavalleerestaurant.com

Executive Inn Vintage Park Downtown just became Social Butterfly Club's first affiliate hotel, which means amazing saving for you!!!  Instead of paying $179 or $189 per night at this fabulous 4 star hotel, you pay $125, a perk of being our member.  So if you want a romantic night with your sweetheart, or staying downtown for Gay Pride Parade or the Fireworks, or simply have relatives / friends coming to town to visit, you'll now have the perfect place to rest in style.

A: Where did you grow up and how did that shape who you are today?
J: I grew up in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  Winnipeg is a very friendly, family oriented community.  I guess that shaped me personally to care about people.

A: what's currently playing on your ipod?
J: Michael Jackson, Cher, Celine Dion, Lady Ga Ga  and Madonna – So typical I know!

 
A: What types of books do you read, and why?
J: Science Fiction … I like to get lost in space and to be taken to the extreme with Fiction.

A: Tell me a little bit about how you got involved in the hotel/ tourism industry and your career path?
J: My First Job was operating the Elevator at the Historic Hotel Fort Gary in Winnipeg, I enjoyed working in a hotel and I developed my education around the Hotel Industry at Red River College. After College I moved to Vancouver where I started my carreer at the Night Manger of the Holiday Inn Downtown,  I continued there in a variety of positions from Front Office Manger to Rooms Division Manager.  I left Vancouver to move to Toronto for 5 years and worked for Delta Hotels as a Sales Manager and then the Ramada Hotel Don Valley as Director of Sales.  I moved back to Vancouver and became Director of Sales at both Hilton Hotels.  My first GM position is at the Executive Hotel Vintage Park.

A: What was your proudest professional moment? Was becoming GM of the Executive Hotel Vintage Park What was it that made it so special?
J: My Goal was to become a GM of a Great Hotel.

A: Tell us about your education?
J: Red River Community College– Hotel Restaurant Management, University of Winnipeg, BA and Douglas Collage as a CRDE, (Certified Rooms Division Executive) and CHA (Certified Hotel Administrator)

A: You're a very stylish man Jared, what's your secret, and is it true that dressing well has gotten you further in life?
J: I shop for clothing in Europe (They dress for success there)

A: You lived in Toronto for many years, do you notice a big difference between people living on the East Coast and West Coast?
J: Yes very much so, business in Toronto is very fast paced and in Vancouver its all about the relationship.

A: Tell us about your hotel Executive Inn Vintage Park Downtown, There are wine related references everywhere?
J: The Executive Hotel Vintage Park in Downtown Vancouver is a boutique hotel located in the heart of Vancouver's business & entertainment district, only 15 minutes from Vancouver International Airport. This boutique hotel is adjacent to False Creek and English Bay, steps away from Yaletown, and Granville Island, and close to Stanley Park, Chinatown, and Robson Street shopping.

Toast Beautiful Vancouver's wine-themed boutique hotel - an intimate synthesis of West Coast style and wine country charm. Boutique environs, luxury apartments and rooms, and an evening wine reception create a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of this wonderful city. Wine Tours to the Okanagan can be arranged. Dinner and wine packages are available at the Executive Hotel Vintage Park in Downtown Vancouver.

A: You always got a smile on your face, tell us about a challenge you've overcome?
J:I have had many challenges in my life that has shaped who I am.  Firstly I was orphaned at the age of 17, this made me a very independent person as I quickly had to grow up and take responsibility for myself at an early age.  I have also had a battle with a major illness which almost took my life … This gave my perspective and taught my to appreciate everyone and everyday.  I have come out on the other-side with perspective of peoples emotions and feelings.. I guess that’s why I am in hospitality as I truly enjoy making people happy. 

A: Please share with our social butterfly club members what you think will happen with the economy for the next 5-10 years since you're an active trader?
J: The Economy will recover slowly over the next couple of years.  There will be pent up demand for goods and travel as most people are holding on to there money.  But, Car’s, TV’s , clothes, computers, etc all get older and need to be replace I think in 4-5 Years we will see another boom as people start replacing these thing.  For now, it’s a slow climb back up over the next couple of years.

A: Tell us what makes you laugh?
J: Good Friends and Good People.