Island hotel reboots under new management: Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre focusing on off-season corporate events.

• Author: Myers, Ella
• Position: CONFERENCE & CONVENTION - Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre

The Manitoulin Hotel and Conference Centre has had some growing pains, but with new management on board, it's settling into a solid routine for its fourth season.

The hotel brought on Barrie-based Liberty Hospitality to manage the property in the summer of 2015, and in the past year, they said business has improved and there are plans for growth ahead.

"They wanted someone with more expertise, and now we have a lot more structure," said Stella Gan, the director of sales and marketing at Liberty. "The booking has increased, we're able to increase the conference and meeting booking, but this coming season is the true test."

The hotel is located on the waterfront in Little Current on Manitoulin Island.

Six nearby First Nations opened the hotel in 2013--Aundeck Omni Kaning, M'Chigeeng, Sagamok, Sheshegwaning, Whitefish River First Nation and Wikwemikong. For the first two years, they managed the hotel themselves, but decided to bring in professional management to help things run more smoothly. They are still the owners and Gan said that the hotel and its amenities continue to reflect that.

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"The structure and the theme really reflects the Aboriginal ownership," said Gan, referencing the teepee-shaped lobby and waterfront location on the North Channel of Lake Huron. Corporate clients can access canoeing routes, hiking trails, and cultural activities and organizations in their off time, and incorporate them into teambuilding exercises.

Along with their recreational offerings, the 59-room hotel has the typical conference and convention offerings as well.

High-speed internet is available throughout, and there is access to audiovisual equipment. ? They can make use of it all in the 5,600-square-foot Conference Centre.

"We get a lot of Aboriginal business. That is our first and foremost client, though we also host government-related business, weddings and other events," said Gan.

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