“(Instructor) Deborah Forsyth pushed me to get out of my comfort zone in every class I had with her. “Going back to school really gave me the confidence to go for the job I wanted,” she said. She said her education at NIC was a big part in getting to that next step in her career. Now at the Empress, she looks forward to opportunities to take on more responsibilities within the organization in the future. The introduction led to an interview and eventually a job offer. “I said that I didn’t really care what I did – I just wanted to work for you,” Stickney said, recalling the encounter. At the reception, she spotted the director of human resources for Fairmont Hotels and introduced herself. She got her chance after being nominated for a Tourism Industry Partners Award. Stickney had already worked in her hometown of Campbell River as a resort and restaurant manager at Nootka Wilderness Lodge, where she also booked and cleaned rooms for guests.īut she had dreams of working at an international hotel chain where chances of travel and adventure were assured. “It was a huge learning curve, but I like it. “I started right before winter festivities, so I hit the ground running,” she said. Stickney quickly learned the ropes of the business after starting her job at the Chateau Whistler. “With her background in luxury fishing lodging and our sister Fairmont Gold at Fairmont Chateau Whistler, we look forward to Chelsey making her own mark on the experience here at Fairmont Empress as she continues to expand her hospitality career.” “We are pleased to welcome Chelsey Stickney to our team,” said Duane Lachance, Fairmont Gold manager. It’s a dream job that Stickney landed thanks to her previous work experience at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, where she worked as a Gold concierge and supervisor.

Stickney, who earned her Tourism and Hospitality Management diploma in 2016, now works as a Fairmont Gold assistant manager at the Empress – serving guests who have signed up for exclusive services with the hotel chain.

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