2025: Year in Review

A year of progress, partnership, and what comes next

I want to start with a phrase that we’ve started using quite often as an association:

Rooted in Place.
Rising Together.

It’s something you’ll see in our materials and messaging — but for our team, our board, and our members, it carries a much deeper meaning.

Being rooted in place means understanding the unique character of Banff and Lake Louise — the landscape, the community, the businesses, and the people who make this destination what it is.

And rising together means recognizing that progress here never happens in isolation. It happens when businesses, community partners, governments, and organizations come together to identify challenges and work toward solutions.

A Year Defined by Partnership

If there’s one theme that defined the past year, it’s this:

Collaboration isn’t just part of the work — it is the work.

Across every conversation, every initiative, and every decision, the strength of this destination continues to come from people leaning in together.

Before going further, it’s important to acknowledge that none of this happens alone.

To our team, our board, our members, and our many partners across the Bow Valley — thank you. Your engagement, your candour, and your commitment continue to shape the direction and impact of this association.

A Clearer Focus Forward

This year also marked an important step forward with the introduction of a refreshed strategic framework, built around three priorities:

• Government & Partner Relations
• Workforce Development
• Community Wellbeing

These pillars aren’t separate lanes — they are deeply connected.

Because in a place like Banff and Lake Louise, the strength of our visitor economy depends on the strength of our relationships, our people, and our community.

If you’re looking for the full scope of what was accomplished this year, I encourage you to explore our  2025 Year in Review, where those efforts come to life in detail.

What I’ll share here is simply a snapshot of the direction we’re moving together.

Strengthening Our Voice

Over the past year, BLLHA continued to evolve its role as both an advocate and a convener.

From advancing evidence-based advocacy — including commissioning an Economic Impact Study — to strengthening how we communicate through our refreshed brand and website, we are building a more transparent, credible, and impactful presence.

We also increased association funding by nearly 35%, expanding our capacity to deliver across advocacy, workforce, and community priorities.

Supporting Our People

Workforce continues to be one of the defining challenges — and opportunities — for our industry.

This year, our focus was simple:

Listen. Support. Adapt.

Through HR committees, surveys, and ongoing engagement, we’ve worked to better understand the realities operators are facing — from immigration changes to labour market pressures — and provide timely, practical guidance in response.

But beyond policy and programs, workforce is ultimately about people.

And one of the most powerful reminders of that came through the 10th Anniversary of the Housekeeping Olympics — a celebration of the heart-of-house professionals who make this destination possible every single day.

As was said in a recent message to our workforce:

“Every guest experience, every safe arrival, every meal served, every room prepared… is made possible by the people who live and work here.

Our workforce is not simply part of this destination — you are what makes it thrive.”

Investing in Community Wellbeing

A strong tourism economy and a strong community must go hand in hand.

Over the past year, that belief translated into action:

• Contributing to the Banff Community Plan
• Supporting emergency preparedness and coordination
• Engaging in the Town’s budget and service review process

These efforts — often behind the scenes — help ensure that decisions reflect a balance between economic vitality and community wellbeing.

Because when the community thrives, the visitor economy thrives with it.

Looking Ahead

When we step back, this has been a year of progress, partnership, and momentum.

But more importantly, it reinforces something we all know to be true: In Banff and Lake Louise, progress happens when we stay rooted in this place — and continue rising together.

Looking ahead to 2026, there is important work in front of us. And to the operators and business leaders in our community:

This association only matters if it reflects your reality.

• The staffing challenges you manage.
• The operational pressures you face.
• The opportunities you see for this destination.

Our role is to listen, to bring those perspectives forward, and to work with partners to create solutions that move the entire community ahead.

Because if this past year has shown us anything, it’s this: This community is incredibly capable when we work together.

I’m proud to be part of it. And I’m excited for what we will accomplish next.

Thank you.

Mike Kelly, Executive Director
Banff & Lake Louise Hospitality Association