It was one heck of a busy summer at Elettra Communications. So busy, in fact, that we're only now announcing some exciting news - the addition of Cassandra Parsons as Account Executive on our team. We first met Cassandra back in 2010 when she interned for us. Cassandra knocked our socks off way back then, and we've been keeping our fingers crossed that some day we could welcome her back to our team.

Since her time at Elettra in 2010, Cassandra returned to school to complete a Certificate in Public Relations from Simon Fraser University, worked with Citizen Relations Cossette, and worked in corporate communications and investor relations for several Vancouver-based TSX-V listed companies.

Cassandra also holds Bachelor of Arts from the University of Victoria, and a Certificate in Entertainment and Events Marketing from New York University.

We're so thrilled that Cassandra is back, and can't to wait for all our clients to meet her!

A busy few days at Elettra as Cadillac Fairview officially unveiled the plans and renderings for their Pacific Centre redevelopment.  Media were excited to share the details of the upcoming makeover at one of Vancouver's most iconic buildings, and the announcement sparked lots of great conversation on social media. Here are some of the highlights from the extensive media coverage the story received – including the front page of the Vancouver Sun!

Elettra Communications is thrilled to be working with the Vancouver Airport Authority on their School Tour Program again this year. Through the program, 2,700 grade five students from schools across the Lower Mainland will have the chance to visit YVR for a first hand look at the operations of a major airport.

We're pleased to welcome to our team Jake Sobrepena and Breanna Kato who are new School Tour Guides this year. A hearty welcome back to Annalisa Pareja, Tour Guide extraordinaire, returning for a second year.

To learn a little bit more about the program, read Annalisa's post on YVR's blog.

Today Pacific Centre shopping mall officially unveiled plans for its high-profile property at Robson and Granville. The company is undertaking a multi-million dollar redevelopment of the existing building to accommodate the arrival of Nordstrom, while creating new retail and commercial mixed-use space. We are loving the renderings:

As expected, interest in the project has been high. Tom Knoepfel, Cadillac Fairview's Senior Vice President and Portfolio Manager has had a busy day doing interviews.

We'll be posting the coverage shortly. Stay tuned!

Volunteer Opportunity – Event Coordination Elettra Communications is looking for student volunteers to assist with an air travel industry conference event taking place at Science World. This opportunity will appeal to students who have an interest in public relations or event management.

Event: Future Travel Experience Conference Gala

Date/Time: Thursday, September 6,  4:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Science World

Duties: Volunteers will assist with a range of activities including: • Event set up • Guest check-in • Providing direction assistance to guests • Coat check

Benefit to you: • Event coordination experience. • Opportunity to build contacts in the PR industry.

Dress code: 
All black. No jeans; no running shoes/sneakers.

How to apply:
 If you would like to volunteer for this opportunity, please contact cassandra@elettra.ca. In your email please provide a brief introduction of yourself, and include a description of your current course of study and your contact information.

In this month's Western Living, there is a great feature on Western Canada's hottest new hotels. Check out the full page feature on The James alongside The Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Hotel Le Germain (Calgary), and the Oak Bay Beach Hotel (Victoria).

The Richmond News picked up our release about the YVR Penny drive. Check out their full article here.

Got a jar of old pennies at home? Put those coins to good use through YVR's Penny Drive. YVR is calling on travellers and the airport community to donate their pennies to help fund lunches for children in need this summer.

According to Quest Food Exchange, a Vancouver-based not-for-profit organization that helps those in need access affordable, healthy food, many kids rely on school lunch programs for healthy food. When schools are closed in the summer, providing lunch can be an extra burden for families that are already struggling financially.

From June 13 to 28, YVR will be collecting pennies to fund food vouchers that be provided to families to shop in Quest’s three not-for-profit grocery markets.

Check out the full release here.

One of the nicest things to wake up to on a Saturday morning is a great feature on one of our clients. Check out Saturday's piece on The James Hotel in the Globe & Mail's Savvy Traveller column: Nice to be in the company of Philippe Starck, New York, and San Francisco (and be the lead).

Hotelier magazine visited The James to speak with Corinne Lund, General Manager, about what it takes to operate a high end luxury hotel that provides impeccable guest service. Read the story here.

Elettra has been working with JOEY Restaurants to tell the story of how they are recruiting and retaining the industry's best and brightest. The JOEY Employee Investment Trust is a program unlike any other in the hospitality industry. Business in Vancouver spoke with Deni Kennedy, General Manager of JOEY Burrard, to find out why it's such a compelling offer.

Read the full story here.

Elettra Communications has recently been working on the launch of Saskatchewan's first boutique hotel, The James. The country's leading design magazine, Azure, featured the luxury property on May 2. Read the story here.

Chef Chris Mills visited Urban Rush with JOEY Restaurants farmer/supplier Brad Bellmann of Bellmann Specialty Produce. Did you know that, once upon a time, carrots were purple or yellow and not orange?

Watch a clip of it here.