Vinil Sood is a driven professional with a strong foundation in management and a passion for sustainability and innovation. Growing up in the hospitality industry, Vinil developed a deep understanding of business operations, which inspired him to pursue a Bachelor of Management at UBC Okanagan. During his time in the program, he enriched his experience through active involvement in initiatives like JDC West. Now the Business Development Manager at his family-owned Quality Inn and Suites in Vernon, Vinil continues to make an impact, earning recognition such as the Vernon Business Excellence Award for Tourism Excellence and leading sustainability efforts like installing solar panels to reduce the hotel’s carbon emissions.
Q: What drew you to the Bachelor of Management program at UBCO?
A: Growing up in the hotel industry, I developed a strong interest in management and a desire to support my parents with their business. The Bachelor of Management program at UBCO stood out as the perfect fit for me, offering the opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge while being conveniently located close to Vernon.
Q: What were some of your biggest takeaways from the program?
A:One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of getting involved. Participating in JDC West, case competitions, and conducting research with Dr. Li on food banks and food insecurity in Canada truly enriched my experience in the Bachelor of Management program. These opportunities allowed me to apply what I learned in the classroom to real-world challenges and develop invaluable skills along the way.
Q: What was the most rewarding part of the program?
A: Meeting new people!
Q: What advice or insight would you give to a prospective student considering this program?
A: Take advantage of extracurricular opportunities like JDC West and research initiatives. Getting involved not only helps you build confidence in yourself but also allows you to develop valuable connections and gain practical knowledge that will enrich your experience and set you apart in your future career.
Q: What is your current occupation and how did you get there?
A: I am the Business Development Manager at Quality Inn and Suites Vernon which is my family-owned hotel.
Q: You and your family recently took home the Vernon Business Excellence award for Tourism Excellence – can you share a bit about that experience?
A:It was an incredibly surreal and rewarding experience. Being recognized with the Tourism Excellence Award was a testament to the hard work and dedication our family has put into the business. Just a few years ago, we were in a very different place, but we’ve made remarkable progress. This recognition, along with being runners-up for the BC Hotel Association, has been a proud milestone for our journey.
Q: Can you share what inspired you and your family to install solar panels to reduce your hotel’s carbon emissions?
A:Reducing greenhouse gas emissions was a key part of our sustainability goals, and installing solar panels aligned perfectly with that vision. Additionally, BC Hydro provides valuable incentives for commercial properties, which made pursuing these sustainability initiatives more accessible and encouraged us to take this important step.
Q: Do you have any career advice you’d like to share?
A: Never stop learning. I just recently completed a Hospitality Program through Okanagan College and a Marketing course through Destination British Columbia. Additionally, I continue to go to sustainability and hotel conferences across Canada and the US to learn more about how we can continue to reduce our environmental impact.
Q: What are your future career goals?
A: I’d love to take the family business to the next level by becoming leaders in sustainability and potentially expanding into another property.
Q: Do you have anything else you would like to share?
A: Colossians 3:23-24 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
