User Story

By Tom Puhjera

I started to work in Edmonton's hospitality industry over 16 years ago. My current job is Banquet Server/Porter/Bartender at the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald. I always feel such pride and happiness to be working at such a jewel in downtown Edmonton. I feel that this four and half star hotel is what makes the City of Edmonton so special because everyone has their own Mac story to tell.

The Fairmont Hotel doors have welcomed a variety of guest to Edmonton. It is the reason why Edmonton is such a great city to live and especially to work in. As Edmonton's oldest hotel it has seen its share of history. All of the members of the current staff of around 220 people have our own special memories of the hotel.

My proudest moment was when the staff learned from our former General Manager that Queen Elizabeth II would be staying with us. The hotel was prepared for her and her husband’s royal visit to Edmonton. It was an honour just to be in the same hotel and to be working there and feel her presence as she came down the elevator from her eighth floor Royal Suite through the main lobby to attend the Government State Dinner that was held in the main ballroom of the Westin Hotel. I knew there and then what it felt like to be an Edmontonian!

Her Royal Visit was a success not only due to all the hard working Fairmont Hotel workers that put in overtime to ensure her visit went smoothly. But also to the countless others in the local, provincial and the federal governments who ensured her visit to Edmonton was successful. It was and will always be a highlight of my career. And that is what it means to be an Edmontonian: to have the majestic Fairmont Hotel Macdonald overlooking over beautiful river valley. It is Edmonton’s jewel in the river valley!