GLOBAL: Leading hospitality company Convene has announced a strategic investment led by holding company HBC and global alternative investment manager Ares Management. The recapitalization plan will create the largest flex space operator across the U.S., Canada and Europe. HBC’s existing portfolio of SaksWorks restaurants, work, event and meeting spaces will be rebranded as Convene, and the company will continue to expand into key urban and suburban markets. The alliance aims to elevate the workday experience by providing state-of-the-art hospitality services, including coworking options, on-site culinary offerings, premium venue spaces and hybrid technologies.
CALGARY: This is the last week guests can enjoy an Alice in Wonderland-inspired afternoon tea experience at the Fairmont Palliser’s Hawthorn Dining Room. Now through May 1, patrons can book a table to enjoy “Hawthorn’s Mad Hatter Tea” or place an order for “Afternoon Tea at Home.” For $95 per adult, menu highlights include Fairmont-curated teas, fresh-baked vanilla scones with house-made cream and jam, a selection of tea sandwiches (think: smoked turkey and arugula; english cucumber and boursin; and shrimp and lemon mini quiche), as well as cookies, macarons and cupcakes named after the whimsical movie’s characters. A children’s menu is available for $47 per child.
MONTREAL: The Osheaga Music Festival, slated to take place July 29-31, announced that indie rock band Arcade Fire will replace the Foo Fighters—who were headlining the festival’s opening day—in its summer lineup. The Grammy award-winning band was a perfect fit as it was founded in Montreal around 2001, and has a new album set to release on May 6. The change occurs following the sudden death of the Foo Fighters’ drummer, Taylor Hawkins.
OTTAWA: The Moxy Ottawa hotel is slated to open in 2024 as Marriott International’s first Moxy-branded property in the city. The 222-room hotel will be built in the historic ByWard Market building, a 58,800-square-foot, five-story former warehouse that was originally built in 1913. The Moxy Ottawa will be headed by Montreal-based Rimap Hospitality as the building is transformed into a 22-story mixed-use tower that will also be home to 280 residential, rental apartment units.
VANCOUVER: Ahead of its 26th anniversary, the 420 Vancouver Protest and Farmers Market—the longest-running 4/20 event in the world—has canceled its 2022 event due to the city’s COVID regulations. Festival organizers cited government restrictions earlier this year that didn’t give them enough time to plan an event up to their standards. The controversial festival also called off its 2021 event, and if a 2023 edition is to come is yet to be announced.
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