BC Hospitality Foundation Awards Industry Scholarships

At the Hospitality Industry Conference Gala Dinner on November 24, 2009 held at the Fairmont
Waterfront Hotel and hosted by the BC Hotel Association, the BC Restaurant and Food Services
Association and the Association of Beverage Licensees the BCHF recognized the efforts of the next
generation of hospitality workers. Working behind the scenes to create memorable experiences,
hospitality workers are often not given their due, and the BCHF aims to bring these individuals into the
limelight and to foster their careers as they move forward into the workforce.
In total, the BCHF awarded 11 scholarships at $2,000 each. These were given to students
around the province in programs ranging from hospitality, pastry and culinary
schools.
Aside from the scholarships, the gala allowed for the student to create connections. Scholarship winner
April Erickson of Okanagan College in Kelowna expressed her gratitude saying that the opportunity was
“unforgettable” and “career changing”, explaining that it reassured her that she “made the
right decision when I chose to be a hospitality major and not a finance major”! By creating funding
opportunities, the BCHF has set these young students on the right track to becoming industry
professionals.