Nearly Half of Canadian Business Travellers Face Mounting Stress Levels in 2024
With rising travel costs and some airlines introducing surge pricing policies on checked baggage, and new paid seat options, Corporate Traveller Canada’s latest poll* paints a vivid picture of the strains facing Canadian business travellers today. Forty-five per cent of professionals identify schedule disruptions as their top source of anxiety, with 44% feeling the financial burden of rising travel expenses, and 42% experiencing stress due to economic uncertainty. These factors make it clear that the demands of business travel are weighing heavily on Canadian corporate flyers. At a time when business travel bookings have increased by 10% compared to last year, according to Corporate Traveller’s own tracking, this underscores a need for more streamlined, carry-on-focused travel tactics.
"Business travel today demands more than just showing up to meetings and networking; it's about optimizing every aspect of the trip," explains Chris Lynes, Managing Director for Corporate Traveller. "Adopting carry-on-only travel and choosing strategic flight times are effective ways to enhance airport experiences, ensuring both cost savings and reduced stress."
Essential tips for Canadian corporate travellers:
1. Maximize Your Carry-On: Get the most out of your carry-on by choosing airlines that allow up to 14 kg, with the option to add more if needed. Buying extra space online is cheaper than at the airport. Check size allowances beforehand; they vary but can save on check-in fees.
2. Choose Amenities-Rich Hotels: Pick accommodations offering comprehensive amenities like premium toiletries and gym facilities, which can significantly lighten packing lists.
3. Flight Strategy: Always aim to book direct flights when available to avoid unnecessary layovers and delays, advises Lynes. Direct flights help you reach your destination quicker, allowing for more time to prepare, relax, or engage in your intended business activities.
4. Scheduling Smart: Considering travel timing can make a world of difference. “Flying in on Sunday can introduce a blend of leisure and business, potentially cutting costs and easing Monday rush,” Lynes points out.
5. Lounge Access: Lynes suggests that a quality travel credit card offers more than points; look for one that includes airport lounge access, providing a sanctuary from crowded gate areas.
6. Loyalty Pays: Enroll in airline and hotel loyalty programs. Simple steps like inputting your member number can unlock future savings and enhance overall travel experiences.
7. Professional Insight: Don’t overlook the value of a seasoned travel expert. Corporate Traveller knows how to handle challenging travel needs of industries like manufacturing, mining, and construction, helping make trips more efficient and less expensive, focusing on what businesses need the most. As Canadian businesses adjust to new travel trends, using these tips can help save money and make trips more useful. For travellers, staying ahead means easier, less stressful travel ready to meet today's business needs.
GoPro Mountain Games Outdoor Festival Set to Kick off Summer in Vail, Colorado
The GoPro Mountain Games outdoor festival is set to kick off summer in Vail, Colorado this June 6 – 9. Hosted by the Vail Valley Foundation (VVF), GoPro Mountain Games has grown into an internationally recognized outdoor event that draws thousands of spectators and athletes—ranging from seasoned pros to weekend warriors, kids and dogs. The event is now one of North America's largest celebrations of adventure sports and outdoor lifestyle.
"The GoPro Mountain Games are such an awesome way to kick off summer in the mountains, whether you're competing in the events, strolling around the village or taking in the evening concerts," says Rick Loughery, GoPro's Vice President of Global Marketing and Communications. "And GoPro's cameras and software are the perfect solutions to capture and share these experiences."
"The GoPro stoke from the event attendees is unmatched and we're excited to continue working with VVF in the years to come," Loughery adds.
From GoPros mounted on kayakers plunging down Gore Creek to the madness of the mud runs or getting a pup's eye view from spectator-favorite Dock Dogs, there is no shortage of opportunities to capture amazing moments.
GoPro first joined Mountain Games in 2010, and at that time, the event brought in around 37,000 spectators and 2,600 athletes. In 2013, GoPro took on the role of title sponsor. Today, the event now draws more than 90,000 spectators and over 4,000 athletes in 30+ competitions across 11 disciplines. Spectators can also tune into event recaps from afar hosted by VVF media partners.
"GoPro is an exceptional partner for this event and has been instrumental in the continued growth of the Mountain Games," said Dave Dressman, GoPro Mountain Games Event Director for VVF. "Over the last 15+ years, GoPro has enabled us to capture and share the thrill of Mountain Games from an entirely unique, immersive perspective to help promote the mission of the games: bringing mountain action sports to the community whether you're a pro or not."
Register at MountainGames.com to participate.
INTRODUCING "HYPNOVELS," A REVOLUTIONARY USE OF GENERATIVE AI TO TRANSFORM BOOKS INTO MESMERIZING ANIMATIONS
Silverside AI unveils Hypnovels, a Generative AI platform that will radically change the way books are consumed, promoted, and enjoyed. The platform, now in beta at hypnovels.com (password: reading2024), represents a powerful new AI marketing tool that allows authors to generate engaging animated experiences from their book's content in just a few easy steps and taking only a few hours to render.
In four simple steps, any author can create an animation and engaging multimedia experience that would normally take months of time and enormous creative resources. Authors simply enter text from a chapter, briefly describe the book's setting, choose a visual style and narrator voice, and in just a few hours they can produce an engaging animation maintaining their unique vision — a Hypnovel that is ready and easy to share with current and untapped readers who likely wouldn't otherwise know of their title.
"We are harnessing the amazing power of AI to help authors worldwide better promote their books and engage more readers," says Rob Wrubel, co-founder of Silverside AI and Founding CEO of pioneering search engine, Ask Jeeves.
For readers, Hypnovels represents a new way to experience books aimed at making reading interesting for the ficklest audiences. "There are a lot of AI applications out there trying to turn words into movies," says PJ Pereira, award-winning advertising veteran and founder of Silverside AI. "But not this one. Hypnovels define a new language, created specifically to attract people to books."
The idea for Hypnovels was born when Pereira used AI to promote his sci-fi novel, The Girl From Wudang. He realized the same format could be used with other books, if what he did was turned into a tool simple and flexible enough to tell different kinds of stories. "As an author and creative, I know the power of a beautiful visual to bring people into a story," says Pereira. "Through AI, we could bring the same production value exclusive to big advertisers, into the hands of authors everywhere."
The Hypnovels platform is a unique blend of AI and creativity, using several forms of AI combined into one: GPT4 for interpretation, Stable Diffusion for animation, Eleven Studios for voice, and multiple individually created artistic styles.
But Hypnovels' real value is the way these technologies are tuned to enhance the reader experience. "As an author, I want my readers to form their own images in their minds. The Hypnovels animations we generate are a companion that intensifies the experience," says Pereira.
Because great visuals work only if they are seen, Silverside is partnering with BookTrib, a leading online literary platform for readers and a marketing engine for authors and publishers. With 30 years in the business of book publishing and promoting authors' works, Meryl Moss, creator of BookTrib as well as President and Founder of Meryl Moss Media Group, a literary media relations and marketing firm, sees Hypnovels as a gamechanger in the sharing and promoting of literary works. "Through the magic of AI, authors and publishers have an entirely new way of attracting and engaging readers to their content," Moss says. "Readers will lose themselves in new literary works through this innovative melding of words and visuals. And classics will receive a whole new life that will delight existing fans and attract new ones to these fresh interpretations."
TEZZA App Unveils TezzaCam: Relive the Charm of Vintage Photography with a Modern Twist
Tezza, the leading platform for creative photo and video editing, is thrilled to announce the launch of TezzaCam, a groundbreaking feature designed to revolutionize the way users capture and edit their moments.
TezzaCam represents a significant milestone in the app's commitment to empowering content creators, enabling them to unleash their creativity and elevate their visual storytelling. This innovative feature meticulously recreates the simplicity of the point-and-shoot era with some of the most iconic vintage cameras ever made, allowing users to embrace perfect imperfections, messy grain, warm textures, and the spontaneity that no longer needs to be lost to old photo albums. TezzaCam is the latest achievement from TEZZA founders Tessa "Tezza" Barton and Cole Herrmann, the husband-and-wife team who created the app and independently grew it into a multi-million-dollar enterprise.
"We are thrilled to introduce TezzaCam as the latest addition to the Tezza app," said Barton. "TezzaCam enables anyone to relive the magic of old-school photography whether you're on a night out, a beach day, or a last-minute trip with friends. TezzaCam transforms ordinary moments into unforgettable memories with its unique blend of vintage charm and modern convenience."
The standout differentiator of TezzaCam is Real-Time Film Emulation. Users can now apply a wide range of film emulations to their photos and videos directly within the camera viewfinder, allowing for instant experimentation and customization.
Users can then save photos and videos taken within TezzaCam directly to their camera roll with no post-editing, to authentically recreate the experience of shooting on film. For those who do need the ability for some post-capture adjustments, TezzaCam allows for that as well, with the option to save content taken with TezzaCam to the Tezza Library to take advantage of all the other professional editing tools that Tezza offers. These include:
- Dynamic Filters and Effects: Tezza offers an extensive library of high-quality filters, overlays, textures, and effects, enabling users to effortlessly enhance their images and videos with just a tap.
- Customizable Presets: With Tezza, users can create and save their own custom presets, tailored to their unique aesthetic preferences and editing styles, for quick and easy application to future captures.
- Professional-Grade Tools: From advanced color correction and exposure adjustments to selective editing and retouching tools, Tezza provides users with professional-grade editing capabilities, all conveniently accessible within the camera interface.
To celebrate this milestone, TEZZA is hosting a pop-up event in LA, showcasing the new TezzaCam alongside an interactive art space. The event begins with a VIP/Press Day on April 4th, followed by public access on April 6th and 7th, promising an engaging and inspiring experience for content creators and enthusiasts alike. Join us at 8425 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood CA, as we unveil the future of photography and creativity with TezzaCam.
TezzaCam is now available to all Tezza app users as part of the latest app update. Download TEZZA at the App Store or Google Play and learn more at www.shoptezza.com.
Lepro Unveils Groundbreaking AI-Generated Lighting Technology, LightGPM™
Lepro, a leader in AI lighting innovation, proudly unveils its pioneering LightGPM™ technology, a first-of-its-kind Generative Pretrain Model for Lighting. This revolutionary advancement offers smart lights that adapt to commands and emotions, tailoring lighting effects to users' moods with unparalleled precision. Lepro's latest offerings, powered by LightGPM™, are designed to transform the home lighting experience, providing dynamic customization and intuitive control.
Introducing Three Innovative AI-Powered Lighting Solutions
Powered by LightGPM™, our devices offer a cutting-edge lighting experience with over 12,000 effects. They leverage AI voice and facial expression recognition for unparalleled customization. The addition of LightBeats Music Sync and Lepro+ app connectivity further enhances versatility, enabling scene and mood adjustments for innovative lighting solutions. Explore the distinct features across our range:
- Various Shape Combinations, including different light segments
- Dot-free
- Wide Illumination Area
- DIY in Any Shapes
- Dot-free
- Waterproof
- Adopt IC Chip for Customizable Segment Colors
- Full Immersion into Environment
- Dot-free
Each product line caters to different preferences and requirements, ensuring there's a smart lighting solution for every scenario.
LightGPM™: Leading the Future of AI Lighting
With LightGPM™, Lepro is not just introducing a technology; it's pioneering a new era of smart lighting that's intuitive, responsive, and deeply personalized. This innovation underscores Lepro's commitment to enhancing the way individuals interact with their environments, offering lighting solutions that are not only smart but also attuned to the nuances of human emotion and preference.
- Emotion and Command Recognition: Employing advanced AI algorithms, LightGPM™ meticulously analyzes users' facial expressions and voice commands to accurately interpret their moods and requirements. Whether elicited by a smile, a frown, or a verbal command, LightGPM™ adeptly modifies AI-generated lighting effects to align with the user's emotional state or preferred ambiance, delivering a tailored lighting experience.
- Seamless Integration and Control: Designed with user convenience in mind, LightGPM™ incorporates AI Voice Recognition and the innovative LightBeats Music Sync feature. This allows for effortless control and synchronization of lighting with music, providing an immersive audio-visual experience that enhances any activity, from parties to tranquil evenings at home.
- Smart Ecosystem Compatibility: LightGPM™ technology provides seamless precision in managing essential lighting functions, such as on/off toggling, color and brightness adjustments, and timer settings, facilitating a streamlined and efficient user experience.
MasterClass Announces New Three-Part "Gut Health" Series With Leading Microbiology and Immunology Experts
MasterClass, the streaming platform where anyone can learn from the world's best, today announced the launch of "Gut Health," a three-part Original Series led by a panel of the world's leading specialists that explores the critical connections between what we eat and our overall health. The class is available now exclusively on MasterClass, where subscribers have unlimited access to all 185+ instructors with an annual membership.
"Gut Health" provides an approachable explanation of the role the gut plays in everything from brain function and hormone regulation to inflammation control and disease prevention. Gut health experts from world-renowned institutions will teach members how to develop a healthier habitat for their gut microbiome so they can live and age well. They will learn food preparation techniques that stimulate beneficial bacteria in the gut and walk away with information on how to lead healthier and happier lifestyles. By taking this class, members will:
- Learn How the Gut and Brain Are Linked With Dr. Emeran Mayer: Leading gut health expert Dr. Mayer shares his thorough research on the connection between the brain and the gut. Get Dr. Mayer's insights on how this relationship informs everything from our mood to our emotions and our brain function.
- Whip Up Gut-Friendly Recipes With David Zilber: David Zilber, fermentation expert and former head of the fermentation lab at Noma, teaches members how to support gut health through the art of culinary fermentation. Learn how to make recipes rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics like yogurt and kombucha.
- Boost Your Immunity With Dr. Erica Sonnenburg and Dr. Justin Sonnenburg: Alongside the renowned Stanford-based microbiologists, immunologists, and authors, discover gut-friendly lifestyle choices to strengthen your immune system against both autoimmune and infectious diseases.
Embed & view the trailer here: https://youtu.be/FC1EvPAwkzk
Cable Grip System Aims to Reduce Hazards and Increase Organization
Madison Liquidators, the online leader in office furniture solutions, is proud of their latest release geared towards workplace organization. From brand partner Black Dog Office, this desk cable holder is designed to streamline and declutter work environments by effectively managing and concealing cables, cords, and wires under a desk or tabletop. To promote a safe and efficient workplace, this office organization solution is the latest cable management system offered by Madison Liquidators.
Under-desk cable management systems, such as the cable grip, are designed to organize and conceal cables and wires that are used to run numerous workplace devices such as desk power outlets. Reducing office hazards and the confusion that comes with a large number of cords is a priority for many businesses.
This particular cable management system can help prevent tangling and create a neater, more organized workspace. With the ever-increasing availability of devices that make our work easier, come the challenges of maintaining a professional appearance and reducing tripping hazards.
The cable grip system addresses this challenge by providing a hidden, easy-to-install, wave-like system that allows cords to be gently guided through its loops. This helps to keep them separate while also collecting them invisibly into a single area, thereby reducing hazards to foot traffic and making it simpler to trace a particular cord to its outlet.
While multiple variations of under desk cable management systems abound, the feature-rich benefits that the Black Dog Office Under Desk Cable Management System offers are what led Madison Liquidators to make them available to consumers. The cable grip efficiently organizes cables, keeping them neatly arranged. They also may help prevent accidents caused by loose cables, such as tripping or electrical shock. The design accommodates various cable sizes and types, ensuring flexibility to meet a diversity of needs.
The cable grip under-desk cable management system is now available for purchase at Madison Liquidators, the online leader in ergonomic and organizational office furniture. Promoting safer work environments by using simple tools to help offices organize their workstations makes this newest addition an important release for Madison Liquidators and the companies that have come to trust in their reliable solutions.
Fairview Portals and Supersocial Unveil New Line Cinema's 'Elf North Pole Workshop' on Roblox in Celebration of the Classic Film's 20th Anniversary
This holiday season, Fairview Portals, a creative studio building next-generation experiences and Supersocial, a pioneer in virtual world development, announce the launch of New Line Cinema's 'Elf North Pole Workshop' – a first-of-its-kind Roblox experience based on the iconic holiday film. The experience was developed in partnership with the storied Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group. Supersocial and Fairview Portals plan to expand upon the virtual immersive space launching new features and experiences in the coming months that bring holiday spirit to the Roblox community all year-long.
The immersive space, rooted in the spirit of community and togetherness, mirrors the themes of the classic movie. Users can don elf hats and choose from three vital workshop roles: Wish Taker, Toy Maker and Gift Wrapper. Each role contributes to the success of Santa's Workshop, fostering collaboration and teamwork, with the community's collective progress and rewards the helpful elves with presents and digital wearables. The enchanting virtual experience invites users of all ages to step into the festive landscape and embrace their inner elf.
"'Elf' has become a holiday classic over the last two decades, and we are excited for the opportunity to expand the magical world Fairview Portals created in collaboration with Supersocial into the hugely popular Roblox platform," said Ricky Tydus, SVP of Creative Strategy & Film Operations Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group.
The visual landscape of 'Elf North Pole Workshop' draws inspiration from the classic stop-motion animation style. Fairview Portals in collaboration with Supersocial, employed special artistic effects such as tilt-shift camera, desaturated environments, material-inspired textures, and frame rate limiters to recreate the timeless charm of a stop-motion world seamlessly in real-time on the Roblox platform.
"This project was a labor of love and an exciting journey for the Supersocial team that captures the whimsy and joy of the holiday season," said Yonatan Raz-Fridman, founder and CEO of Supersocial. "We set out to deliver an immersive and visually stunning experience for players, honoring our commitment to pushing the boundaries of interactive entertainment."
'Elf North Pole Workshop' goes beyond aesthetics, offering an innovative play that combines community with nostalgic surprises that generate new experiences with each visit.
To experience the magic of the holidays through the eyes of 'Elf North Pole Workshop,' immerse yourself on Roblox today: here.
Meet FrazyBot, the World's First Robotic Beverage Machine that Makes Bartender and Barista-Quality Drinks at Home with the Push of a Button
It's finally possible to get cafe and bar-quality drinks at home. Frazy, a cafe and bar-quality custom beverage startup, today announced plans to debut FrazyBot, the world's first robotic beverage machine that makes fresh, customized specialty drinks such as coffee, cocktails, tea, boba and more at home with only the push of a button at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Journalists will be able to get hands-on with FrazyBot for the first time at CES Unveiled Las Vegas on Sunday evening, January 7, 2024, at the Mandalay Bay from 5-8:30 pm, and at the Venetian Expo, Booth 51732 from January 9 - 12, 2024.
"In-home devices have long promised to deliver cafe and bar quality in a simple way, but nothing has come close — until now," said Frazy CEO and founder Balaji Krishnan, who is also the founder of Displace, the world's first completely wireless TV. "Other in-home beverage machines are unwieldy, drink-specific, usually require users to mix a lengthy list of ingredients manually to make a mess and are often hard to clean. And in the end, it may still not be exactly customized to your taste. Our proprietary robotic technology disrupts the home beverage market and delivers the most authentic experience, creating users' favorite drinks at home from fresh ingredients with a simple push of a button. FrazyBot is the first machine that prepares your favorite drink from end to end and delivers everything you want down to the smallest detail, exactly how it was ordered. It even delivers the best presentation to put a smile on your face."
It's impossible to get cafe and bar-quality drinks at home today. Available machines only make certain drinks, are too large to fit on countertops or require many ingredients for preparation — and none of them customize complete drinks like a barista or bartender. FrazyBot's "Ingredient-Sensing Robotic Technology (InSeRT)" makes drinks more affordable than the average café or bar, eliminating the need to go anywhere and offering a pressure-free opportunity to try new beverages and experiment with flavors and combinations.
FrazyBot is modular and comes with a base module that has a touch panel and water reservoir. It's compact enough to take up minimal space on the kitchen countertop and offers a choice of different drink modules — each specially designed for coffee, tea, boba, cocktails or mocktails. Users can easily snap the drink module into the base module, insert the ingredient box and push a button to make their favorite delicious drinks. This also allows users to add their own milk or alcohol.
Frazy enables customers to order the exact drink they want off the website with every detail considered, whether it's a red velvet latte with an extra shot of espresso and oat milk or a strawberry margarita with a hint of lavender syrup. Fresh ingredients are packaged in a small, shelf-stable, air-tight box and promptly shipped to the users. The single-use box is inserted into the machine along with water or a chosen alcohol (depending on the type of drink), and with one press of a button on the touch panel, the exact drink is created and prepared as if it were in a café or bar — including grinding the beans, frothing the milk, salting the rim, latte art like hearts or a caramel drizzle on top of the whipped cream. No other machine on the market is able to deliver this kind of precision and professional presentation. Afterward, the machine self-cleans and expels trash into the single-use box, keeping the countertop tidy and the beverage ready to enjoy (available on the models that ship).
NordVPN now helps users protect themselves from vulnerable apps
NordVPN, a leading cybersecurity company, adds a new feature to its Threat Protection cybersecurity solution to protect users from cyberthreats raised by vulnerable software. The vulnerability detection feature checks Windows computers for vulnerable applications and notifies users about their security flaws so preventive measures can be taken.
"The vulnerability detection feature automatically checks the applications for known security flaws that hackers may exploit to gain unauthorized access to device and sensitive information. If vulnerability detection identifies an open-to-attack app on a computer, it immediately send user a notification so he can take action to protect data and device," says Vykintas Maknickas, Head of Product Strategy at NordVPN.
In order to detect whether any applications on a device are susceptible to hacking, the feature checks the database of apps with their app versions and the known vulnerabilities that affect those apps. Once the tool detects one or more of these vulnerable apps on the device, it automatically sends an alert to the user. At this point, the vulnerability detection feature checks around 150 million applications daily and detects vulnerabilities in about 100 thousand applications used by Windows users.
After receiving a vulnerability detection alert about a software security loophole, a user should update the susceptible app immediately. If there's no update notification, cybersecurity experts advise to visit the developer's website and search for the latest version of the app. A user should be wary of possible cyber dangers if the software developer doesn't offer security patches to fix the vulnerability.
This easy-to-use vulnerability detection feature is included in every NordVPN subscription. Users can activate vulnerability detection without additional cost by following the guide. This feature is available starting with NordVPN version 7.15 and requires Windows 10 or newer operating system versions.
Casio to Release Charles Darwin Foundation Collaboration G-SHOCK Watches
Casio Computer Co., Ltd. announced today the release of new additions to the G-SHOCK brand of shock-resistant watches. The three new GW-B5600CD watches are the brand's latest collaboration with the Charles Darwin Foundation, an organization that engages in environmental conservation activities in the Galápagos Islands.
The Charles Darwin Foundation is an international nonprofit organization committed to conserving the natural environment of the Galápagos Islands. The organization is involved in a range of activities, including surveying the Galápagos Islands' marine and terrestrial life and ecosystems and promoting island nature conservation efforts. The latest collaboration model marks the second partnership between G-SHOCK and the Charles Darwin Foundation, following the first in 1999.
The new GW-B5600CD shock-resistant watches feature designs incorporating silhouettes of creatures that live in the Galápagos Islands, along with the rich natural environments where they live. While based on the GW-B5600, a timepiece equipped with radio wave reception and Tough Solar charging capabilities, the new GW-B5600CD watches feature a bezel and band made with bio-based resin produced using renewable organic resources.
Each of the three watches features a face with a unique design motif: a hammerhead shark in an ocean environment for the GW-B5600CD-1A2; a Darwin's finch amid the foliage of a Scalesia forest, one of its preferred habitats, for the GW-B5600CD-1A3; and a Galápagos giant tortoise in a rocky location, one of its preferred habitats, for the GW-B5600CD-9. Silhouettes of each featured creature also appear on the LCD when the backlight is illuminated.
The Charles Darwin Foundation logo is engraved on the case back, and a Spanish-language statement meaning "I support Galápagos conservation" is printed on the band. A portion of the proceeds will be used to support the Charles Darwin Foundation's conservation activities.
Real Estate Photography for Tim Slater, Victoria, BC
Just finished a great real estate shoot for Tim Slater. Thanks Tim for the opportunity to shoot such a wonderful home. I had a great time.
Here are a few samples from the shoot.
FAIRMONT EMPRESS + TIFF PRESENT "CANADA ON SCREEN" - MY AMERICAN COUSIN
Fairmont Empress in Victoria hosts free community screening of 'My American Cousin' and Director Q+A with Sandy Wilson, on November 24
As Canada 150 draws to a close, Fairmont Empress is pleased to host a unique community screening of "My American Cousin" in the hotel's iconic Crystal Ballroom on November 24, 2017. The film's award winning director Sandy Wilson will be in attendance to welcome movie-goers and host a post-screening Q+A.
In partnership with the Toronto International Film Festival®, and in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is thrilled to support TIFF's "Canada on Screen" program by presenting 150 essential moving-image works at three of its hotels across the country, with the next screening, My American Cousin, taking place at Fairmont Empress in Victoria.
"Dear diary... nothing ever happens."
A timeless coming of age story, My American Cousin (1985) is a Canadian drama film, written, directed and based on the childhood of Director Sandy Wilson. Filmed in the Okanagan Valley, and set in rural 1950's Penticton, British Columbia, My American Cousin stars Margaret Langrick (Sandy Wilcox) and John Wildman (Butch Walker). At the 7th Annual Genie Awards, the film was nominated for eleven awards, winning six including Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Film Editing and Best Picture. It is a celebrated piece of Canadian cinematography.
Fairmont boasts a significant history with the silver screen. From Breakfast at Tiffany's (The Plaza) and Doctor Zhivago (Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise), to Notting Hill (The Savoy) and The Rock (Fairmont San Francisco), many notable movies and television shows have filmed at Fairmont properties. Fairmont Empress has been the backdrop for many films over the years including Little Women, I Want to Marry Ryan Banks, Enter the Dragon, Knight Moves, White Chicks, Year of the Dragon and Lucky 7.
The event kicks off in signature Fairmont style with a private VIP reception at 6:30 p.m. with bubbly and passed hors d'oeuvres, and doors open at 7:00 p.m. for general public - with free movie screening at 7:40pm with complimentary signature Empress popcorn and a cash bar. Following the screening, Director Sandy Wilson will be answering questions, and discussing the movie. This is a complimentary, general admission event that is first come, first served. Full details can be found on Fairmont Empress Facebook events page.
