BY SIMONE J. SMITH

As much as many of us like to travel, we can all admit that sometimes the process can be tedious, finding the right airline, the right hotel, the right car rental service…

What if I told you that finally there is a platform that offers innovative features that: streamlines booking processes, enhances guest satisfaction, and maximizes occupancy rates at hotels; a win, win situation for everyone involved. I believe that travel should be easy, friction-free, and seamless, and I am about to introduce a team that is currently implementing a streamlined service that represents a significant advancement and giant step forward in the hotel booking journey. Yes you!

For the first time with this service, guests can seamlessly book rooms and activities across multiple hotels and dates within the same group, or partner hotels, all in a single transaction. This unique flexibility eliminates the hassle of navigating multiple booking platforms, and multiple reservations, saving guests valuable time and reducing that frustration that we feel preparing for our trip.

The Anything Group (TAG), is a premier full-service marketing agency specializing in hospitality solutions. Most recently they proudly unveiled ALBIE© designed to prioritize guest experience and hotel success, ALBIE©. With ALBIE© they are enabling hotel groups and independent chains of hotels to partner with others, creating in-house, low-cost OTA-style referrals. This approach maximizes profit and occupancy while minimizing expenses.

“I have always been at the forefront of creating guest-centric software to make travelers’ lives easier and hospitality venues more connected.”

I had a chance to speak with Rich Tuckwell-Skuda the CEO and Founder of The Anything Group (TAG). As a visionary thought leader and known for his leading entrepreneur spirit and remarkable track record spanning the: travel, hospitality, and tech sectors, Rich has successfully launched numerous brands for TAG clients and companies.

With his leadership TAG has emerged as the preferred agency for three major software providers and one of the world’s largest hotel groups, transforming TAG into one of the highest performing agencies in North America and the Caribbean within three years of launching.

As CEO of TAG, he leads a team responsible for managing tech solutions and digital marketing for more than 250 clients worldwide, achieving impressive increases in: profitability, revenue, operational best-practices, and marketing ROAS, whilst decreasing operational expenditure, negative reviews and marketing costs.

Prior to founding TAG, Rich accumulated extensive experience in various roles across these industries with remarkable results regarding excellence and the best marketing standards. He is a highly regarded speaker and thought leader, having addressed over 300 industry events and conferences since 2018, including: HITEC, Direct Booking Summit, and Hotel Data Conference. Renowned for his expertise in revenue management, digital marketing, and hotel technology, Rich is frequently sought after for insights by industry leaders and media outlets.

When I finally had a chance to get him on a call, I experienced his passion in full force, and he openly shared his journey. “Can you share your journey in founding The Anything Group and what inspired you to enter the travel, hospitality, and tech sectors?”

“I have been attached to this sector for 25 years,” Rich tells me. “I was exiting the tech sector at the time, and I felt like we had not gone far enough. I had a marketing agency at the time, but I wanted to create something that was guest centric. We partnered with the best in the industry to ensure that processes were smooth. Guests can do whatever the guest and booker want to do in any order. The platform is designed to make things easier for everyone.”

“Our first day we had 300 hotels sign up. Island governments have come to us and said, this is beneficial. We have the technology that allows travellers to do everything in one place.”

“How do you see the future of the travel, hospitality, and tech sectors evolving, and what role do you envision TAG playing in that future?”

“AI is massively overplayed but will have a huge impact on the sector. We have hugely impactful companies telling the world how to do things. I don’t have to reinvent the wheel. People don’t need more choices. Don’t tell me 15 different things I want. Tell me five things that impact a large amount of people. I want to use AI, and algorithm to make things easier for everyone. We don’t want to give them more choice, just better options.”

I am happy that the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper has the opportunity to introduce ALBIE©’s Cart System.  By enhancing guest satisfaction and offering a broader range of booking options, ALBIE© enables hotels to maximize occupancy rates and boost direct revenue. Guests can customize their experience by reserving rooms, activities, or a combination of both in any order they like, all in one streamlined process, and because it’s guest-centric, they will be able to create their own experience.

ALBIE©’s Dynamic Stay Optimization takes the guesswork out of planning. The system automatically searches for available rooms within the same hotel on alternative dates or suggests other hotels within the group through its “flexible days” feature if occupancy levels mean the desired dates aren’t available. For larger groups, ALBIE© prioritizes availability across all hotels within the group.

ALBIE© also includes a Group Recommendation feature, suggesting other hotels in the group that are close to the original search location to maximize sales opportunities. Additionally, ALBIE© offers a “Waitlist” feature, informing guests when their desired dates become available, ensuring they never miss out on their preferred stay.

“This is why ALBIE© has been built to not be expensive for the guest, or the hotel. Travel is all about the experience. We want to make experiential travel easy.”

BY SIMONE J. SMITH

There was a recent controversial court ruling about the Fearless Fund, known for its dedication to funding African women entrepreneurs. They were ordered to cease providing grants exclusively. This decision has sparked heated debates about the future of targeted funding initiatives designed to level the playing field in the venture capital landscape. Despite these challenges, Black women continue to defy the odds, and today, I want to introduce an organization who is stepping up to fill the gap and support this dynamic group of entrepreneurs, but first let’s look at some interesting statistics.

Despite making up only 3% of the tech workforce, women of colour are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs in the United States. Even though they receive just 0.1% of venture capital funding, they are starting businesses at an impressive pace. Esosa Ighodaro and Regina Gwynn recognized the absence of a clear roadmap to billions for African-American/Canadian women in tech, so they decided to create their own. This led to the birth of Black Women Talk Tech (BWTT). The idea took root in 2015 with the first “unofficial” Black woman founders’ retreat, which underscored the need for a more formal gathering.

In the fast-evolving world of technology Black Women Talk Tech (BWTT) has become a powerful and inspiring wave allowing African-American/Canadian women to make their mark, and lead the charge in the tech industry. The importance of BWTT cannot be overstated. In an industry where women of colour receive less than 1% of venture capital funding, BWTT highlights the unique challenges and immense potential of this group. The work that they do serves as a crucial platform for visibility, enabling Black women to showcase their innovations, connect with investors, and gain the mentorship needed to scale their businesses.

From coding to entrepreneurship, from data science to leadership roles, African-American/Canadian women are transforming the tech landscape. Their contributions are not only driving innovation, but also bringing much-needed diversity and inclusion to the industry. This rise of African-American/Canadian women in tech is a reflection of their: resilience, determination, and unyielding spirit. Their significant advancement in this industry highlights the importance of representation and the impact of diverse voices in driving innovation.

Esosa and Regina had envisioned a space where African-American/Canadian women could come together to: share experiences, network, and inspire one another in an industry where they are often underrepresented and overlooked. The very first BWTT: Roadmap to Billions event took place at Google, with 30 attendees, and since has grown into an annual conference attracting over 1,300 attendees. For the past seven years, Roadmap to Billions has provided: education, inspiration, and opportunity for over 10,000 attendees, facilitated vital conversations between founders and investors, and created funding pipelines for over a dozen women pitch winners to receive nearly $30M in venture capital funding.

The next stop in their journey is taking them across the border as they host Roadmap to Billions in Toronto, Canada for the first time this September 2024. With a line-up of prominent Black females in the tech space and a growing roster of sponsors and partners, this event will open up a space for African-Canadian women in tech to find the support and resources they need to grow thriving ventures in Canada.

I am personally excited about this for our community here in Toronto, because as a community, we have struggled to embrace this digital revolution. I completely understand why; it is intimidating. That is why I am glad that we have intelligent women like Esosa and Reginal to help us with this transition. I had a moment to meet with them last week, and they gently guided me into this world that is still so new for us.

“If you could have dinner with any tech innovator or entrepreneur, dead or alive, who would it be and why,” I asked. This has become one of my favourite ice-breaker questions.

“Steve Jobs,” they both replied. Regina shares, “Steve Jobs ushered in premium, sophisticated technology. He had that vision that was so clear to him. It is just a zone of genius that I have not seen anywhere else.”

“Steve Jobs is one of the most inventive people of his time,” Esosa follows up. “Some of us may not know this, but Steve Jobs is the mind behind podcasts. He has been responsible so many telecommunication innovations.”

It was time to really dig into our topic. “What was your initial reaction to the Fearless Fund court ruling,” I quiried?

“My first thought was here we go again,” Esosa tells me. “Why are we under attack, and what is the bigger play. There is always an attack on our community on a whole. What can be so wrong with awarding Black women grants. What is most interesting is that this came right after the appeal for affirmative action.”

“With that being said, what are some of the other significant challenges Black women face in the tech industry, particularly in securing venture capital funding?”

“There is a need to increase accessability to social capital,” Regina begins. “You have to be in the right places to meet the right people who can write those checks. I have gone to these events and been the only Black woman in a room. Being able to have those warm introductions, opens up avenues which will allow a person to tap into funding. This is non-existing in the world of tech.”

“How does Roadmap to Billions address these challenges and create opportunities for Black women entrepreneurs?”

Regina continues, “We have seen the power of these collective gatherings, and we have been doing this for eight years now. The education piece is very important. We are here to provide access to higher level entrepreneurial conversations and open up market opportunities. How exactly do you tap into investment opportunities in the US. We thought it would be a healthy idea to put Black Canadians on stage who are able to provide the education necessary to navigate this landscape.”

“What are the primary goals for the Toronto conference, and how do they align with the overall mission of Roadmap to Billions?”

“To help Black women win. Period,” Esosa says enthusiastically. “We did this early in the US, we want to be able to support Black women globally. Stepping into Toronto, and seeing all the innovation, it is about time that we have the ability to connect and build partnerships with the entrepreneurs. It is about changing the trajectory of the community.”

“What advice do you have for aspiring Black women entrepreneurs looking to enter the tech industry? I defintely want to hear from both of you.”

“To start,” Esosa shares, “A lot of times, when it comes to our brilliant ideas, we don’t really actually get an opportunity to get them out of our minds, and into action. The best advice I can give is try to figure out and be creative about how to get things done at low cost, or for free. Be thoughtful about your resources and how to manage those resources. Hey, I believe in competition. I say, be the Serena of your industry. Work on being the best at your space. Try to better understand the language of venture. You will figure out how to understand what that investor wants, and then, you will know who to pitch too.”

“Brilliant! Regina, your thoughts?”

“Get started! My sentiments are very similar to Esosa. Test everything, test as many paths, test as many customers for the least amount of money possible. You want to spend money on the things that work, not the things that don’t work. Don’t get psyched out, even if someone else has your idea. There is space for everyone. We can expand the pie, and everyone can get a piece.”

Events like the Roadmap to Billions are crucial. They provide a platform for African women across the diaspora to share their experiences, network, and gain visibility. It’s about creating opportunities and opening doors that were previously closed.

Black Women Talk Tech’s journey is not just about breaking barriers; these trailblazers are redefining what it means to be innovators and leaders. The advancement of African-American/Canadian women in tech is not just a win for diversity, but a testament to the broader progress of Africans in the diaspora. It showcases the rich talent and potential that has always existed but is now being recognized and celebrated.

As we continue to celebrate our community’s achievements, let us remember that this is just the beginning. The rise of African-American/Canadian women in tech is a powerful reminder of the limitless possibilities that lie ahead when we embrace diversity and champion inclusion. Together, we can create a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and innovate. For those who are interested in being part of this incredible journey, Esosa and Regina have provided a DISCOUNT CODE: that you can use when purchasing your tickets for the event.

Hope to see you there!

BY PAUL JUNOR

The Festival Management Committee (FMC), which runs the Toronto Caribbean Festival has been facing significant financial hurdles in the operation of the month-long event. This has become increasingly more acute since it resumes after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FMC is concerned that even though the Toronto Caribbean Carnival contributes more than $183 million in tax revenues and less than $500 million in economic impact, it receives less than one million from all three levels of government. This necessitates calling on the Ontario government to invest in our festival and programming to continue providing valuable support for our community and delivering the beloved tradition of our festival.

In notes that are described in the “Toronto Caribbean Carnival Briefing Document” data are provided about the impact of the festival on Ontario. They are in three specific areas:

Economic Impact

• Contributes over $ 480 million to Ontario’s Gross Development Product
• $ 31.2 million to hotels and lodging in Ontario’s tourism and hospitality sector
• $ 81.1 million to bars, restaurants, and concessions
• $79 million in shopping
• $ 236 million in direct GDP impact to the Greater Toronto Area

Employment

• Supports the creation of approximately 4,000 direct jobs annually

Tax Revenues:

• Generates more than $183 million in combined: federal, provincial and municipal tax revenues

There are several areas of financial pressures that the FMC are presently facing that impedes its ability to operate a financially efficient and economically viable festival. There are four areas of inflationary pressures that it identifies that contribute to increased costs. They are:

• Security – 300 % increase
• Labour – 45 % increase
• Production Costs – 35% increase
• Venues – 220 % increase

These increased costs have contributed significantly to the financial stress on the FMC as it attempts to grapple with limited economic wherewithal and financial resources.

There are two possible things that the FMC is doing and is expecting in the future, which are:

• The FMC is calling on the Ontario government to invest in the festival, as well as the programming, to ensure they can continue to provide mutually beneficial supports for their community, while continuing to deliver the beloved tradition of our festival, within the province
• MPP’s can support the FMC in these endeavours by encouraging their fellow caucus members to support their cause, while continuing to learn about the unique needs and challenges that they encounter as they deliver the festival each year.

The FMC has taken several steps to ensure that it develops a greater governance structure and more efficient fiscal constraints to ensure that the festival runs smoothly. Amidst all the criticisms that it has faced over the years, it has continued to produce a world class and professionally polished festival.

There is hope that the many: municipal, provincial and federal representatives that attended the official launch on Saturday, June 15^th at the Scarborough Town Centre will be able to put pressure on the powers that be to fund the festival equitably. Although there are more corporate sponsors on board, their financial contributions to help defray the costs of the festival is not adequate and sufficient.

The lack of equitable funding years after years seems to be an ongoing issue that continues to plague the FMC. Clearly, the FMC has to engage in creative envisioning and more sophisticated long-term strategic planning as it looks ahead particularly as it plans for the 70^th anniversary in 2027. It is important that there be greater and meaningful conversations between the: community stakeholders, partners and sponsors in conjunction with the wider community to address imbalance and inequities in the current funding model.