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Hospitality Rising Star 2025!

Showcase your limitless passion for hospitality by joining our competition!

Date: Monday, September 29^th, 2025, to Tuesday, October 21^st, 2025.

Location: The final round takes place at Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver

Eligibility: To be eligible to enter, participants must meet all requirements listed below.

A student in a Hospitality Program in British Columbia, graduating after the competition ends on Tuesday, October 21^st, 2025.
Currently studying at a participating School (*for a full list of participating schools see the Q&A)
Planning to reside & work in British Columbia upon graduation in the Hospitality industry
Eligible to work in British Columbia upon graduation

Unleash your creativity to win $5,000 Tuition Reimbursement!

Shine Bright as Our Next Hospitality Star!★

Competition Rules

Hospitality Rising Star is designed as an annual award presented to the brightest Hospitality graduate in British Columbia, Canada. An annual competition will be conducted and the winner will be given the title of Hospitality Rising Star 2025. This competition takes place from Monday, September 29^th, 2025, to Tuesday, October 21^st. The final takes place at Fairmont Pacific Rim.

This year’s competition reframes the challenge through the eyes of the guest because in hospitality, every story begins and ends with the guest. By looking at operations through the guest’s eyes, we unlock the chance to design experiences that are both future-facing and grounded in reality. This year’s case challenges you to reimagine how technology and human connection work together, how colleagues shape every touchpoint, and how moments become memories. By centering the competition on the guest journey, we invite you to think boldly, act practically, and shape the future of hospitality in Vancouver and beyond.

First Round: Write a one-page proposal about Design an inspiring and future-facing guest journey for an existing hotel in Vancouver and your role in it. Send your proposal to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com by Friday, October 10th, at 12:00 pm.
Final Round: 5 Finalists will be announced on Monday, October 13^th, 2025 and will need to submit a 7 to 10-minute video based on their selected proposal. The finalists will need to submit their videos to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com by Friday, October 17th at 12:00 pm latest. The finalists will be invited to the Final round to present their videos on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 at Fairmont Pacific Rim.

You are encouraged to be as creative as possible and consider how you can highlight the skills you would bring to your ideal position. Your video should be submitted in MP4 format. The dimensions, perspective, and style of filming are all within your remit. Keep in mind when choosing a video format and file size, consider you will need to submit your entry by email.

Entries

All entries must be emailed to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com

First Round: No later than Friday, October 10^th, at 12:00 pm.
Final Round: No later than Friday, October 17^th at 12:00 pm

Any entry received after this time will not be considered.

All email entries must include:

Your Full Name
Your Email
Name of School, Program & Expected Date of Graduation
Your Proposal for the First Round, and if selected, Your Video for the Final Round
Confirmation you are eligible and have intention to work in the Hospitality industry in BC upon graduation.

The Final Round’s five (5) finalists will be revealed on Monday, October 13, 2025

Prizes

The winner of the competition will receive:

$5,000 Tuition Reimbursement
Title of Hospitality Rising Star 2025
Networking Lunch with Top Hospitality Leaders

Please note: These prizes are subject to participants meeting eligibility criteria. Partners in Tourism reserves the right to withdraw from the competition at any time.

Social Marketing

By entering this competition participants are required to give permission for Fairmont Pacific Northwest & Partners in Tourism, to take photos, film and other media and use this for promotion purposes. This includes but is not limited to social media, publishing on the internet, emails, flyers and promotional presentations.

Dress Code

The dress code for the Final is smart professional. Please ensure you arrive on time and can stay for the whole event.

Marking Criteria

Marking Criteria	Assessment (1-5)
Introduction & Conclusion
Knowledge of Hospitality
Understanding of Guest Journey Trends
Integration of Technology & Personal Touch
Colleague Engagement
Guest Focus & Experience
Connection to the Destination
Creativity & Design
Presentation Skills
Practicality of Solutions

Send in your proposal today at:

Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com

Our Judges

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is eligible to participate in the Hospitality Rising Star Case Competition?

Students currently enrolled in a Hospitality program in British Columbia, with an expected graduation date after the competition concludes on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. Please refer to the full list of participating schools in Q&A question 8.

2. What is the deadline for submitting proposals for the First Round?

The deadline for the First Round is Friday, October 10, 2025 at 12:00pm. Please submit your one-page proposal and send it to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com

3. What do I do for round 1?

First Round: Write a one-page proposal about Design an inspiring and future-facing guest journey for an existing hotel in Vancouver and your role in it. Send your proposal to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com by Friday, October 10th, at 12:00 pm.

4. Can I submit more than one proposal?

No, each participant is allowed to submit only one proposal.

5. When will the winners be announced for the First Round?

The five (5) finalists, for the Final Round, will be announced on Monday, October 13, 2025.

6. What is going to happen in the Final Round?

5 Finalists will be announced on Monday, October 13^th, 2025 and will need to submit a 7 to 10-minute video based on their selected proposal. The finalists will need to submit their videos to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com by Friday, October 17th at 12:00 pm latest. The finalists will be invited to the Final round to present their videos on Tuesday, October 21st, 2025 at Fairmont Pacific Rim.

7. Who can I contact for more information?

For further questions, please send us an email to Ftrlnk@Fairmont.com.

8. Which schools are participating?

The participating schools are:

Arbutus College
Acsenda School of Management College
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Brighton College
Camosun College
Canadian College of Technology and Business
Canadian Tourism College
Canada College of Arts and Business
Capilano University
Cornerstone College
Douglas College
Farleigh Dickinson University
Greystone College
La Salle College Vancouver
Royal Roads University
Sprott Shaw College
Tamwood Careers
University Canada West
University of British Columbia
University of Victoria
Vancouver Community College
Vancouver Premier College
Western Community College

Hospitality Rising Star 2025

Cherry May Regalado

“For me, the Hospitality Rising Star competition is more than a contest; it’s a journey of purpose and commitment. As an international student and leader, it reminded me that passion, resilience, and innovation can turn dreams into impact, and that true hospitality begins with the heart. And I am always grateful to Partners in Tourism for this great opportunity.”

– Cherry May Regalado

Hospitality Rising Star 2024

Andrea Hunter

“I am incredibly grateful to Partners in Tourism for the opportunity to advance my education and deepen my passion for hospitality. Competing in the Rising Star competition was an invaluable experience that encouraged me to push my boundaries and think creatively. Sharing my ideas and connecting with inspiring professionals at FTRLNK was rewarding, as their insights have profoundly broadened my perspective on the hospitality industry. I feel fortunate to be part of an industry that provides remarkable support for the success of its future professionals.”

– Andrea Hunter

Hospitality Rising Star 2023

Ann Marie Hak

“I was in awe of the industry professionals I met at the event and their long, successful, diverse, and global backgrounds in tourism and hospitality. Their stories opened my eyes to what is possible for my future career in this industry. From them, I realized that there is no one path, but that path often overlaps with others you work with, fostering life-long relationships. Tourism and hospitality is a community more than an industry. And the depth of support in that community was really present at yesterday’s event in the way Partners in Tourism and Fairmont are supporting the future leaders of that community through this scholarship competition.”

– Ann Marie Hak