Brewster Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2010

Brewster Inc. Expands Service Offering to Include Corporate & Event Management
One of Canada’s leading travel providers, Brewster Inc., has expanded its service portfolio to include a full suite of corporate and event management services for meetings, conferences, incentive travel, sports and special events. Brewster Corporate & Event Management will complement Brewster’s existing business portfolio, including transportation, attractions, lodging and tour operations.

[Banff, Alberta] Corporate and event planners now have the ultimate one-stop solution for event management services and products in Western Canada. Brewster Corporate & Event Management is the latest addition to the company’s product and service offerings. Brewster’s dedicated team of event professionals specializes in event-related services, including staffing, off-site events, tours/activities, team building, housing, event management, theme development, production and audio visual, and more. The company’s other tourism businesses will complement Brewster Corporate & Event Management by providing direct purchasing benefits to transportation, lodging, activities and packaging solutions.

“The new service offering is a perfect fit to Brewster and ultimately to our customers, providing a complete one-stop solution for their corporate and event planning requirements,” said Jim Fraser, VP Marketing & Planning, Brewster Inc. “This new service will offer a variety of business event experiences that engage the corporate, association and sport event planner.”

For further details please visit www.Brewster.ca/Events-Management.

About the Brewster Inc.
Brewster Inc. has set a high standard of excellence for travelling in Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies for 118 years. As a leader in the Canadian tourism industry, Brewster provides an integrated system through multiple businesses to ultimately deliver outstanding travel experiences to its one million annual guests. Brewster’s operating divisions include three must-see attractions (Banff Gondola, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, and Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience), two hotels (Mount Royal Hotel and Glacier View Inn), independent and group package tour operations (Brewster Vacations Canada) and a motor coach fleet with award-winning driver guides (Brewster Motorcoach Charter Services, Airport & Resort Shuttle and Sightseeing Excursions). For more information, visit www.brewster.ca.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2009

New Winter Wonderland Playground in Banff
Brewster’s Banff Gondola and Parks Canada have collaborated on a new winter playground for the community and for visitors. Complete with a skating rink, skate rentals and social area with a fire pit and benches, this is a great place to celebrate the season with friends and family and have some fun. Use of the area is complementary, adding another exciting activity to the Banff Gondola and further enhancing the visitor experience in Banff National Park.

[Banff, Alberta] Skating is one of Canada’s most popular winter activities, and what better place to enjoy it than in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Brewster’s Banff Gondola and Parks Canada are giving residents and visitors to Banff National Park the opportunity to enjoy this popular winter activity at a new skating rink located at the east end of the parking lot for the Banff Gondola. In addition to the rink, the winter playground comes complete with a fire pit and benches where visitors can warm-up around a crackling fire and enjoy a beverage from the onsite Starbucks coffee lounge.

“We are excited to be able to offer our community and guests yet one more exciting national park experience,” said David McKenna, VP Hotels & Attractions, Brewster Inc. “This skating rink represents a new family activity for Banff residents and an enhanced experience for visitors.”

The skating rink will be open to the public just in time for the holiday season on December 24th, and will be open daily with evening skating available on Fridays and Saturdays. Use of the rink is complimentary and skates and helmets are available to rent onsite. The skating rink will be available for group bookings, including birthday parties and community events. For further information, visit www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola.

About the Banff Gondola™
The Banff Gondola™, a division of Brewster Inc., is the ultimate mountaintop experience in Banff National Park. The attraction shares an unobstructed 360 degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level and the incredible Banff Skywalk. The Banff Skywalk is an easy 1km self-guided interpretive walkway that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. Other services at the Banff Gondola include two gift shops, two restaurants, a Starbucks coffee lounge, one snack bar, interpretive hiking trails and an interactive giant compass. Images of the Banff Gondola are available for downloaded from Brewster’s image gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2009

Vacations Canada TV Finalist for National Award for Tourism Excellence
Award-nominated online video campaign promotes travel and tourism in Canada

Banff, Alberta, Canada — Brewster, Inc. is proud to announce that Canada’s first online travel TV network; Vacations Canada TV™, has been announced as a finalist for the National Awards for Tourism Excellence in the category of Online Innovation of the year.

Hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and presented by the Globe and Mail, the National Awards for Tourism Excellence are presented to recognize businesses and their employees that have excelled in Canadian tourism. “We are extremely proud to be included alongside Canada’s top travel and tourism organizations and initiatives." Robert Hughes, Manager of e-Strategies for Brewster Inc., said.

Vacations Canada TV™, which showcases unique travel experiences and vacations to Canada using online video, has now surpassed 1.3 million views. The episodes feature a wide array of destinations and attractions in Canada, including Banff Canadian Rockies vacations and Canada tours. Visitors to http://www.vacationscanada.tv can learn more about the most popular vacation destinations, get tips from seasoned travelers, and even comment, rate, and embed videos.

Beside each video episode, travelers will find vacation packages and tours which include the products and travel experiences featured in the video. These relevant Brewster Vacations Canada packages can be customized providing endless possibilities with exceptional value.

Perfect for active vacationers, Vacations Canada TV™ offers travelers local secrets, tips and information needed to start planning the perfect trip. For vacationers who would rather relax and spend time with a loved one, Vacations Canada TV™ also offers a wide variety of romance packages, pre-post cruise packages, wildlife adventures, spa getaways and plenty of other Canada vacation ideas. Visit VacationsCanada.tv for more information or call toll-free: 1-877-791-5500.

About Vacations Canada TV™
Vacations Canada TV™ is Canada’s first online travel television network, offering a series of videos that showcase the country's top travel experiences. Brewster Inc. is the driving organization behind Vacations Canada TV™ in partnership with other leading tourism organizations including The Canadian Tourism Commission, Travel Alberta, Parks Canada, VIA Rail, Edmonton Tourism, Jasper Tourism and Banff Lake Louise Tourism. The travel television network is intended to engage travelers, travel agents and tour operators as a useful online travel research and trip planning tool. To learn more, call Brewster Vacations Canada at (877) 791-5500 or visit VacationsCanada.tv.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2009

Brewster Vacations Canada Launches Online Booking Engine & Personalized Websites
Brewster Vacations Canada takes travel personalization to the next level with the launch of a new online quoting and booking engine, as well as personalized websites (PURL™). These modern travel planning tools will allow consumers and travel agents to customize Canadian vacation packages and access relevant information to their desired travel experience.

Banff, Alberta, Canada - Our vacations are crafted from a belief that a travel experience should be as unique as each individual traveler. The eConcierge™ platform allows Brewster Vacations Canada to deliver a personalized experience to each of our guests from the moment they begin to make their travel arrangements. We continuously strive to make planning and booking Canada tours and vacations a very simplified process. Our personalized pages really emphasize the individuality of each traveler.

With the new quoting/booking engine integrated into its website, Brewster Vacations Canada has made the process of planning trips to Western Canada, including Canadian Rockies vacations, simple for both consumer and travel agent customers.

In just four easy steps, customers can modify hotels and add nights, rail tours, coach tours, rental cars, activities, sightseeing tours, and more. In addition, the system allows customers to customize their vacation package, save it, and then access and book their trip at a later date.

As soon as a vacation quote is developed with Brewster Vacations Canada, the customer is issued their own personalized website (PURL™). Here, travelers can access customized trip information and holiday details prior to booking. The site incorporates Contac's eConcierge™ interactive service, which provides customers with the PURL™ and a personalized travel information booklet including tour documents upon booking. Travelers can then review the details of their itinerary and even book tickets for an event, rent a car, purchase travel insurance, make restaurant reservations, and shop for merchandise.

"Our vacations are crafted from a belief that a travel experience should be as unique as each individual traveler," says Jim Fraser, Vice-President of Marketing & Planning, Brewster Inc. "The eConcierge™ platform allows Brewster Vacations Canada to deliver a personalized experience to each of our guests from the moment they begin to make their travel arrangements."

Travelers also have the option to forward their PURL™ to friends and family, as well as upload photos, create personalized albums, and even share details of their trip on Facebook, all through the Brewster Vacations Canada website.

"We continuously strive to make planning and booking Canada tours and vacations a very simplified process." Fraser added, "Our personalized pages really emphasize the individuality of each traveler".

”Mr. John Vanderwood of Omaha, Nebraska, the first customer to book his trip using the new system, commented "It was EASY!" He received his Canada vacation package complimentary, courtesy of the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience.

About Brewster Vacations Canada
Brewster, Inc. has been a force in Western Canadian tourism for 117 years. Now a leader in the Canadian tourism industry, Brewster incorporates multiple businesses that strive to deliver outstanding, individualized travel experiences to its one million annual guests. Its operating divisions include the attractions of Banff Gondola, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, and Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience as well as the Mount Royal Hotel and Glacier View Inn. The company also runs Brewster Vacations Canada, which specializes in independent and group package tour operations, as well as a motor coach fleet including Brewster Motorcoach Charter Services, Airport & Resort Shuttle, and Brewster Sightseeing Excursions for the best Canada tours.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2009

Canadian Paralympic Committee joins forces with leading Canadian travel brands to launch GO CANADA - Canada’s 2010 Paralympic Team to benefit from sales of travel products

Vancouver (August 6, 2009) – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and gold medalist Paralympic athlete Joanne Kelly today joined Flight Centre, VIA Rail, Brewster Inc., and LUG to launch www.gocanadatravel.ca.

GO CANADA is a unique collaboration to raise funds and awareness for Canada’s Paralympic athletes as they go for gold in 2010.

The website www.gocanadatravel.ca will offer travel products and trips from Flight Centre, VIA Rail, Brewster Inc., LUG and the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. A portion of sales made on the site will be donated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The announcement took place on the spectacular Columbia Icefield where Brewster Inc. unveiled a fully accessible GO CANADA branded Ice Explorer. The massive Ice Explorer is part of the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, which takes visitors on a remarkable 90-minute adventure onto the surface of Athabasca Glacier.

“Brewster is very proud to be part of this unique partnership to support our Paralympic athletes,” said Michael Hannan, President & CEO, Brewster Inc. “GO CANADA will enable us to connect with Canadian travelers to support Paralympic athletes, as well as showcase Canada as a welcoming tourist destination for persons with a disability.”

The partnership also highlights the commitment of each of the partners to providing accessible travel solutions to the 9.9 million Canadians with a disability.

“Poised to have the highest ranked finish ever of a Canadian Team at a Paralympic Games, our Paralympic athletes are a great source of national pride. Their performances will change how persons with a disability are perceived in Canada,” said Carla Qualtrough, President, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “The resulting increase in accessible products and services is one of the richest legacies a host country of a Paralympic Games can experience. We are very proud to be partnering with companies who recognise this.

”To buy products and services that will support Canadian Paralympic athletes go for gold in 2010 visit GO CANADA at www.gocanadatravel.ca.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, private organization with 42 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement by empowering Canadians with a disability through sport. The CPC is responsible for managing the team of athletes who represent Canada at Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the CPC inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by our members. For more information visit, www.paralympic.ca

About Brewster Inc.
Brewster Inc. has set a high standard of excellence for travelling in Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies for 117 years. As a leader in the Canadian tourism industry, Brewster provides an integrated system through multiple businesses to ultimately deliver outstanding travel experiences to its one million annual guests. Brewster’s operating divisions include three must-see attractions (Banff Gondola, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience) two hotels (Mount Royal Hotel and Glacier View Inn) independent and group package tour operations (Brewster Vacations Canada) and a motor coach fleet with award-winning driver guides (Brewster Motorcoach Charter Services, Airport & Resort Shuttle and Sightseeing Excursions). For more information and images, visit www.Brewster.ca

Images of the The Columbia Icefield can be downloaded from Brewster’s image gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2009

David Morrison named 2009 Alto Ambassador
The prestigious 2009 Alto Ambassador Award will be awarded to the Chairman of Brewster Inc., David Morrison of Banff, the Alberta Tourism Awards Committee has announced.

“Through his long and distinguished career, David has never wavered in his commitment to elevate tourism in this province,” said Wynn McLean, chair of the volunteer industry committee which oversees the awards program. “His record of achievement distinguishes David as a true ambassador for our province, our country and our industry,” he said.

The current chairman, and former CEO, of Brewster Inc., who began his 40-year career with Brewster as a summer motor coach driver, may be dubbed a “people person with outstanding negotiating skills,” but behind the congenial, affable boss, is a tenacious leader. Morrison’s passion for the tourism business led to a number of managerial positions which included Controller; V.P. Administration; V.P. & General Manager; President & C.E.O. in 1980 and became Chairman in 2009 with the appointment of his successor Michael Hannan as President & C.E.O. During Morrison’s term as C.E.O., Brewster generated more than $1 billion dollars in revenues and in excess of $300 million in operating income.

Whether it’s forging partnerships with critical players such as Parks Canada or striking relationships in new markets in the ’70s and ‘80s such as Japan, Taiwan and Korea – Morrison was always at the table, ready to play.

“When the chips were down,” recalls Marjorie Holland, who’s worked as Morrison’s executive assistant for 31 years, “David wasn’t afraid to call a spade, a spade. Over the years his frankness and candor became legendary.”

Adds Bill Fisher, Director General for Parks Canada: “David’s fingerprints will continue to be all over Parks Canada’s programming for years to come.”

When Morrison arrived in Banff in 1968 as a summer commerce student from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Brewster Transport was owned by Greyhound and had a fleet of limousines, taxis, gas stations and motor coaches. Over the next three decades Brewster’s travel and recreation business ballooned from operating coaches and the Mount Royal Hotel to include the Columbia Icefield Snowmobile Tours, the Banff Gondola and boat excursions on Lake Minnewanka.

In 1980, Brewster developed, with Foremost Industries of Calgary, a specialty 56 passenger terra-tire vehicle which not only increased capacity but decreased the impact on the glacier created by previous tracked vehicles. In 1995 Brewster, in partnership with Parks Canada, developed a new Icefield Centre that decreased the footprint of the four other independent facilities as well as winning numerous awards for our commitment to environmental stewardship principles.

In 2000, the purchase of the Banff Gondola provided Brewster another flagship operation and in 2007 acquired Minnewanka Boat Tours to provide visitors a variety of Park experiences.

Larry Gale, Brewster’s Director of Marketing and Sales, who nominated Morrison for the 2009 Alto Ambassador Award, says he’s more than earned his stripes.

“It was under David’s leadership that Brewster was recognized by Parks Canada as a leader in corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship,” wrote Gale in the Alto nomination package. “Throughout his career, David has remained a steadfast guardian of Parks Canada’s objectives in protecting and maintaining our pristine environment. As a result, Parks Canada recognizes Brewster drivers/guides as official interpreters of National Park values. The interpretive program set a new industry standard.”

Despite Morrison’s jammed slate of international trips and numerous board commitments (Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Industry Association of Canada, The Banff Centre, Banff/Lake Louise Chamber of Commerce, to name a few) it was always known that his family was top of his agenda. Raising four children with a wife who worked full-time at the Mineral Springs Hospital didn’t leave a lot of time for hobbies or sports. They skied together as a family but only recently have David and Carol taken up golf together. Some of his best National Park experiences were horseback riding into the backcountry with Ron Warner and friends.

According to Holland, if three adjectives had to summarize Morrison they would be, “kind,” “generous,” and “loyal.”.

Although Morrison jests that on a self-awareness test he discovered he has “no skills . . . can’t fix a thing, can’t cook, I might even be a bit dyslexic” but he did note with pride that he holds a Class 2 license as a “career” backup.

Humour is what we need more of in these challenging economic times, believes Morrison, “that and the desire to cultivate relationships. We know the Japanese market may never come back to the numbers we once had – but there are other new markets out there waiting to be nurtured.

“The success of Alberta and Brewster in tourism will be determined by our ability to develop new markets and maintaining our commitment to existing markets in co-operation with all of our partners,” he says./a>

“I have been fortunate to work in an industry where people are so passionate about what they do, and for a great company with so many dedicated and loyal employees.”

The Alto Ambassador Award recognizes exceptional leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Alberta’s tourism industry. The 2009 Alto Awards will be presented to Mr. Morrison and winners in eight other categories at the 9th annual Travel Alberta Industry Conference at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Conference Centre on October 26.

Note to the editors:
Photo of Mr. Morrison available for download at www.Industry.TravelAlberta.com/Alto.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 15, 2009

50 Years in Banff National Park and Still the Peak Attraction of the Rockies!
The Banff Gondola will be celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, July 18th with exciting mountaintop activities and free admission to all visitors born in 1959. The celebration will honour this popular attraction that has welcomed over 18 million visitors since its opening on July 18th, 1959.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: On Saturday, July 18th, 1959 the Sulphur Mountain Gondola officially opened. It was the first bi-cable gondola in North America and the first gondola of any kind in Canada. Today, 50 years and over 18 million visitors later, the modernized Banff Gondola is one of the most visited attractions in the Canadian Rockies. In celebration of its 50th anniversary this Saturday, July 18th, the Banff Gondola will be offering free admission to all visitors born in 1959 for the one day. Local radio personality, Rob Murray with Mountain FM, will be broadcasting live on location from the mountain summit.

The Banff Gondola mountaintop experience begins with an eight minute journey to the summit of Sulphur Mountain in a modern, fully-enclosed four passenger gondola cabin. The views become more and more spectacular upon arrival at the summit at 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level - the departure point for a collection of mountaintop activities awaiting visitors this 2009 season. One of the most impressive activities is the Banff Skywalk; an easy 1km self-guided interpretive walkway along the summit ridge of Sulphur Mountain that leads to the to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site of Canada and the historic Sanson's Peak Meteorological Station. Another popular activity is the Giant Interactive Compass, a favorite among visitors that have the opportunity to find out the distance and direction to home and other cities around the world. The newest addition to the Banff Gondola experience is a Starbucks coffee lounge at the mountain base, where guests can enjoy their favourite Starbucks drink, while overlooking spectacular mountain valley views.

The Banff Gondola has been a part of the Canadian Rockies National Park experience since 1959, and with fifty years under its belt, this attraction really knows how to ‘wow’ visitors. For more information on the Banff Gondola, visit www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola.

About the Banff Gondola™
The Banff Gondola™, a division of Brewster Inc., shares an unobstructed 360 degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level and the incredible Banff Skywalk. The Banff Skywalk is an easy 1km self-guided interpretive walkway that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. Other services at the Banff Gondola include two gift shops, two restaurants, one snack bar, interpretive hiking trails and an interactive giant compass.

Images of the Banff Gondola are available for download from Brewster’s image gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 30, 2009

Brewster Inc. Opens Retail Activity Center in Downtown Banff, Alberta

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2009

Kids, grab your grown-ups for a free Glacier Experience!
Columbia Icefield Hosts it’s First Ever Glacier Experience Kids Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (June 22, 2009)
Calling all Alberta kids! Join us for the first ever Glacier Experience Kids Day at the Columbia Icefield on Saturday, June 27th and if your grown-up buys a ticket, your admission is FREE! Calgary Lite 96 Radio will be broadcasting live on location with gifts for kids, photo opportunities with the Glacier Experience Bear mascot and other fun activities all day long. Sleepover in Banff or Jasper with special family packages from $109 per person per night at GoRockies.ca

Embark on an amazing family road trip along Canada’s most scenic mountain roadway, The Icefields Parkway. See if you can spot the more than 100 visible glaciers, turquoise lakes and rushing waterfalls. When you arrive at the Columbia Icefield, located on the boundary of Banff and Jasper National Parks, you will find one of the largest accumulations of ice and snow south of the Arctic Circle. It covers an area of nearly 325 square kilometers, sometimes reaching a depth of 300 to 360 meters. The meltwater flows into three oceans, The Pacific, the Atlantic and the Arctic.

The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ Kid’s Day reveals the most unique attraction in the Canadian Rockies. With tires five feet high, massive Brewster Ice Explorers specially designed for glacial travel, take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier, a tongue of ice six kilometers long and one kilometer wide. Partway through the tour you can safely step out onto the glacier and stand on this powerful ancient ice. Discover how a glacier moves, the importance of the icefield in climate research, current information about the area, local wildlife and minimizing human impacts on the environment.

About the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™, a proud division of Brewster Inc., reveals the most unique attraction in the Canadian Rockies. Massive Brewster Ice Explorers, specially designed for glacial travel, take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier, one of the Columbia Icefield’s eight major glaciers. Images of the Columbia
Icefield are available for download from Brewster’s image gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 14, 2009

Banff National Park to Host its First Ever Canadian Citizenship Ceremony
at the Summit of the Banff Gondola

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Banff, Alberta [May 14, 2009] Canada’s first national park will play host to fifty new Canadians, as they take the oath of citizenship and officially become citizens of Canada at 2,281m or 7,486 ft above sea level. The citizenship ceremony, which will take place at the summit of the Banff Gondola this Friday, is the final step in becoming a Canadian citizen. Surrounded by family and invited guests, the new Canadians will receive their citizenship certificate overlooking the spectacular sites of Banff. This will be the first time that the ceremony will take place in Banff National Park.

In collaboration with Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Parks Canada and Brewster Inc. will host the ceremony on May 15, 2009 at 11am in the Regal View Restaurant at the summit of the Banff Gondola. Media are welcome to attend, and should contact Joanna Buckingham at Brewster Inc. (403-762-7475) for more details.

About Banff National Park
In the fall of 1883, three Canadian Pacific Railway construction workers stumbled across a cave containing hot springs on the eastern slopes of Alberta's Rocky Mountains. From that humble beginning was born Banff National Park, Canada's first national park and the world's third. Spanning 6,641 square kilometres (2,564 square miles) of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers, Banff National Park is one of the world's premier destination spots. For more information, visit http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/ab/banff/index_e.asp.

About the Banff Gondola™
The Banff Gondola™, a proud division of Brewster Inc., reveals a spectacular national park experience in the Canadian Rockies. A journey on the Banff Gondola™ shares an unobstructed 360 degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level. While at the summit, guests are treated to gift shops, restaurants, a unique Skywalk, interpretive hiking trails, an interactive giant compass and a National Historic Site. The Banff Gondola is open year round, and is located just 5 minutes from the Banff townsite. More information on the attraction can be found at http://www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola. Images of the Banff Gondola can be downloaded from Brewster’s image gallery.