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CEO Talk - Spring 2020

05mar5:00 pm7:30 pmCEO Talk - Spring 2020

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Event Details

In the lead up to International Women’s Day, 2020, join us on Thursday, March 5 at the National Arts Centre in the stunning O’Born Room as the Ottawa Board of Trade and Ottawa Business Journal host CEO Talk.

Your registration includes great networking, a complimentary drink, delicious hors d’oeuvres, a panel discussion and audience Q&A.

Guest Speaker

Christiane Germain is co-founder and co-president of Germain Hotels, a

family-owned business that owns and operates 18 properties in
seven Canadian provinces.

Born in a family of entrepreneurs from Quebec City, Christiane Germain

first started by following in her parents footsteps in the restaurant business. After her degree in hotel management from Humber College, Christiane and her brother Jean-Yves launched and managed many successful restaurants in Québec city in their early twenties. During a business trip to New York City in the mid-80`s, a visit at the Morgan`s Hotel changed the course of history: inspired by this iconic boutique hotel, the two restaurateurs decided within a few hours that they would become hoteliers! This is how in 1988 that the Germain-des-prés in Ste-Foy, Québec, became the very first boutique hotel in Canada. Thirty years later, Germain Hotels owns three banners: Le Germain Hotels, Alt Hotels and the Alt+ Hotel, from Calgary to St-Johns Newfoundland.

Today the company employs close to 1,250 employees and among them Christiane and Jean-Yves Germain`s children. They are proud to see their legacy continue and especially their company values being transmitted to the next generation. To highlight Canadian talent is definitely among these values, from artists to local partners. This is at the very heart of Christiane Germain`s approach: emphasize the human connection and encourage local entrepreneurs.
Mrs. Germain supports numerous charities and takes a leading role in the community to promote, amongst other things, entrepreneurial initiatives. One of the best examples is her appearance in the popular TV show “Dans l’oeil du dragon?” (Québec’s rendition of the CBC’S Dragon’s Den). She is also chair of the board of directors of the Musée National des beaux-arts du Québec. Through the years, her contributions to the economic and cultural vitality of the country have been recognized. Among them, honorary doctorates from Ryerson, Concordia and Bishop’s Universities and from the l’Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec. Christiane Germain was nominated in the Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in 2019 by Women’s Executive Network (WXN). As this is her fourth nomination, she is now in the Hall of Fame. Last April, Christiane and Jean-Yves Germain were inducted in the Académie des Grands Québécois because of their exceptional contribution to the Québec region economy.

Mrs. Germain is a member of the Order of Canada (C.M.) and l’Ordre national du Québec (C.Q.).

The CEO Talk Series allows professionals to come together and gain insight on many aspects of business from an influential and significant member in business. Guests will have the opportunity to network and hear present and past CEO’s and business leaders speak on a number of business related items and share their personal stories of success along with interesting and insightful business related topics. This series aims to provide a forum for participants to gain valuable insight on achieving growth and advancement in their own personal activities. These events are open to the business community and provide a discounted ticket price for members of the Board of Trade. For more information on our upcoming events, please visit our Upcoming Events Page. 

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Time

(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Location

National Arts Centre

1 Elgin Street Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5W1