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HOST 2012 Conference and Students - Five Ways to Engage

Back To News September 7th, 2012

Sunday November 4th to Tuesday November 6th, VANCOUVER

HOST 2012 is the industry conference -- a blend of the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Conferences -- twice the opportunity to make an impression on industry, in one place! There are five ways students can attend. Each stream offers different benefits, and students can participate in one stream only. Institutions should plan ahead to ensure the right students attend in the right capacity. 

1. Compete in the 2012 Student Case Competition and receive free conference registration: http://linkbc.ca/students/contests-and-events/case-competition/2822/ 

  • Each team completes a competition registration PDF form (available mid-September from morgan@linkbc.ca).
  • Competitors will automatically be registered for the conference.
  • Maximum number of players per team is 4.
  • Team members can be in any year of study; and teams can be made up of a mixture of tourism, hospitality, adventure/outdoor rec, or only one program area.
  • Final registrations are due Monday, October 8, 2012.
  • After this point, no substitutions are permitted.


Teams will be asked to choose a case theme ahead of time (from 2 choices), they will hear their case the morning of the competition.

Case competition registration includes:

  • Admission to the official conference opening reception.
  • Admission to concurrent sessions in the conference.
  • Recognition at a breakfast event during the conference. 
  • All regular conference meals.
  • Trade show access.
  • Opportunity to apply for subsidized accommodations and transportation (for students from outside the Lower Mainland). Please note subsidy is contingent on sponsorship and not guaranteed.
  • Certificate of achievement.


Case comp registration does not include Tuesday "Industry Awards" gala tickets, due to capacity and sponsorship limitations. Students wishing to attend can purchase a ticket in advance ($150) no later than October 15th (non-refundable). As this will be a sold out event, there will be no "ticket draw" on the evening.

2. Be chosen for the Our Future Leaders program, sponsored by the BC Hospitality Foundation.

This includes: 

  • Conference registration.
  • Transportation.
  • Accommodation.
  • Special recognition during the conference.
  • Industry Awards (gala) tickets, generously sponsored by the BC Hospitality Foundation.


It is only open to hospitality management students in their graduating year. Participants are chosen by their deans or program chairs based on the school's own criteria. The deadline for this program (names submitted to LinkBC) is October 1st, 2012. For more information on OFL, contact morgan@linkbc.ca.

3. Apply for the Pat Corbett Leadership Award (deadline October 1, 2012). Two students (one graduate, one undergraduate) will be chosen to receive a $1500 bursary and free registration (includes gala tickets from TIABC) to receive their awards at the conference. Click here to access the application form.

4. Volunteer at the conference. Volunteers must serve a minimum of three shifts (3 hours each). They'll get backstage access to a wide range of conference events (except meals), the tradeshow, and a reference letter. Students must live in the Lower Mainland or arrange transportation to/from and accommodation in Vancouver, as well as their own meals.

Spaces fill up fast! Please email morgan@linkbc.ca ASAP to secure a position.

5. Register at a discounted rate by visiting www.hospitality-trade.com/registration.htm. Student registration is $250 (cost-recovery only) and is exclusive of gala tickets, which can be purchased separately. Registration opens September 2012.

DO NOT REGISTER for the conference unless none of the above applies to you.

Questions about attending the conference, competing, or volunteering? Contact Morgan Westcott, LinkBC at 604.984.1750 or morgan@linkbc.ca.

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