THUNDER BAY – Business Now – Its great news for Thunder Bay’s Valhalla Inn. Airline Hotels, the Prairie-based hospitality company operating out of Saskatoon, has been named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies for 2011. Airline Hotels owns and operates the Travelodge Hotel Saskatoon, Hilton Garden Inn Saskatoon, Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South, the Valhalla Inn Thunder Bay and Country Inns & Suites By Carlson in Saskatoon, Regina and Winnipeg.
Deloitte, CIBC, Queen’s School of Business and the National Post sponsor the Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program, which recognizes overall business performance, sustained growth and the efforts of the entire organization.
“This award benchmarks us against other successful private companies and validates our management strategy,” said Lana Doke, Chief Executive Office. “We focus on being a good employer, growing the business, keeping our balance sheet strong, and encouraging the family culture established by our founders, Harold and Vilda Latrace. The strength of our management team reflects the strength of our 800 associates.”
Airline Hotels experienced several highlights in the past year. In addition to being named one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies, the company acquired three additional hotels, and the President, Betty Anne Latrace-Henderson, received the 2011 PROFIT Award for Excellence in Entrepreneurship.
About Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program Established in 1993, Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies program is the country’s leading business awards program, recognizing excellence in Canadian-owned and-managed companies with revenues over $10 million. Every year, hundreds of entrepreneurial companies compete for this designation in a rigorous and independent process that evaluates the calibre of their management abilities and practices. It is Canada’s most prestigious award to private businesses. For more details visit www.canadas50best.com
About Airline Hotels A family-founded, second-generation, hospitality company, Airline Hotels owns and operates seven hotels in four provinces. Based in Saskatchewan and employing over 800 associates, Airline Hotels ranks among Saskatchewan’s Top 20 Employers, Canada’s Top 50 Employers for Youth and the Top 100 Companies of Saskatchewan.