This will be my last post for 2009 – We are off to Montreal and Toronto for the Holidays. So I thought I would give you some thoughts, feeling and wishes for a year past and a year to come.

With 2009 coming to a close, it is time to take a brief moment to look back. It was a year that did not affect a few, had some impact on others and was very tough for most.

I am personally thankful for my loving wife and beautiful daughter who give me the reason to be better at home, work and as a person.

I am thankful for having the creative freedom to build and create Questus Hospitality and always look for better ways to be of service.

I am thankful for being a part of a hospitality industry that cares, strives and battles to be better everyday.

I am thankful to you – my fellow ambassadors in this great industry that have the passion and commitment to take the time to listen, think, disagree and re-work how our industry attracts, delivers and is represented in the market place.

All mushy stuff aside – thank you for your support, honest comments and integrity through a year that I know was tough in our industry. I truly appreciate when you take the time to comment through this Blog, email or any other way. Information is great (good and especially bad) and I am happy to gather what ever I get and redistribute it to you.

Onward and Upward! ~ What to expect in 2010.

All indication’s point to a slow recovery, which is better than no recovery at all. Our export prices are sitting at pre-boom levels, the TSX has been consistently in the 11, 000’s for months (which is down 3k – 4k from the boom and up 3k – 4k from the lowest low), a sign of stability and growth. And news out today – inflation was up for November.

My personal feeling is that our industry will see some positive movement in March as Jan & Feb are never really great for most of us. We are usually a marker within the recovery, we don’t drive it. So as people start getting back on their feet and feeling good about themselves, paying of any pressing debt. They will start to ease back into the personal rewards and freedoms that come with prosperity. They will start asking the question “do you want to go out tonight?” instead of “can we afford to go out this week?”

I am also looking forward to identifying and meeting the demands of our readers and clients as well as offering new and unique services that can offer you real value.

So at the end of all this I want to wish you all a sincere Happiest of Holidays and All the Best in 2010.

Remember – Failure only happens when you quite because you don’t know how close to success you really are.

Keep going and if you can dream it – you can achieve it!