Top 40: Kelly Watt
Photo: Contributed
For the past four decades Kelly Watt has been involved in the hospitality industry, initially to fund her education degree before realizing her passion lay in the opportunities hotels offered.
Once she became involved with Sandman Hotel Group in the Lower Mainland, she was offered the opportunity to transfer to Kelowna 15 years ago and participate in expanding the city’s hotel from 120 rooms to 220. Following this expansion she became regional director overseeing the six properties in B.C.’s Southern Interior.
Watt has had the pleasure of working in one of the most beautiful and enticing parts of B.C., as well as having, in her words, the honour of working with amazingly committed hospitality and tourism professionals from front-line guest service teams and management to the passionate fellow board members of Tourism Kelowna—all, she says, a wonderful part of the 100% Canadian owned and operated Sandman Hotel Group. This has never been more inspiring than in the past year considering the challenges faced. She hopes to continue to help grow this economic driver in the region.
Watt has been extraordinarily fortunate to have learned leadership skills from many leaders with a wide range of styles who have been her mentors and role models. She is also proud of the teams she has been privileged to lead. The ever changing landscape of leadership in the hospitality industry keeps her challenged and growing all the time. Recognition and appreciation of the teams that represent their companies in daily operations is the most rewarding leadership opportunity. From leading restaurant, bar and banquet teams of up to 200 employees to senior leadership of hotel general managers and their respective teams, the challenges of reaching out to encourage passion and engagement are varied and always evolving. Always keeping a “guest obsessed” perspective and setting that example is a key component.
Being involved in the community both from a tourism industry perspective and as a committed resident is both rewarding and educational. Her time in the Okanagan has given her the opportunity to participate in tourism advocacy and development while currently serving on the board of directors for Tourism Kelowna. She previously served on the board of directors for Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Kelowna Hotel Motel Association.
With the support of KHMA, she is proud of helping bring about the Annual Heart of Hospitality Awards for front-line hotel employees. She’s also had the rewarding experience of leading teams annually in Kelowna’s CIBC Run for the Cure and volunteering for Ironman Canada in Penticton for many years. She plans to be back at the Ironman Canada when it next takes place in Penticton again.
Watt also holds a bachelor of education degree from Simon Fraser University and is currently vice-chair of Tourism Kelowna.
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