Expertise
Polaris Advisory leverages a wealth of collective experience exceeding 50 years in the realms of hospitality, tourism, destination marketing and management, real estate development, food & beverage, strategic communications, and interest holder relations.
Collaborating with esteemed brands spanning Canada, Asia-Pacific, Caribbean Islands, the Middle East, and Africa—such as Hilton, Marriott, Sandals Resorts, Taj Hotels, and Oberoi Hotels—these opportunities have enriched our dynamic backgrounds.
We guide clients in identifying and engaging the right people at the right time with the right resources, helping to achieve goals and outcomes quickly. Our adeptness in shaping and executing organizational vision and strategy, mobilizing pertinent resources and platforms, fostering collaboration with key partners, and effectively communicating desired outcomes consistently leads to successful results.
Polaris Advisory has spearheaded projects encompassing construction, renovation, rebranding, pre-opening, and concept development for hotels and restaurants, with budgets ranging from $10 million to $75 million.
Polaris Advisory is a guiding force in the hospitality industry.
Vivek Sharma ICD.D
Vivek is a global hospitality & tourism business professional with a broad-based senior level experience in various business verticals operating in complex environments across a wide range of global markets. With more than 30 years of experience in the global tourism & hospitality industry he has held progressively senior executive roles marked by a chronicle of success, driving benchmark-setting growth & expansion for hospitality & service focused organizations.
As a business leader, Vivek didn’t just manage - he orchestrated a symphony of hospitality and innovation. With a knack for challenging norms and a love for big-picture thinking, Vivek doesn't just run hospitality businesses; he crafts experiences. His days are fueled by the excitement of restructuring and revitalizing, turning failing businesses into thriving gems.
Vivek isn't just about business; he has a deep belief and passion for sustainable practices, weaving eco-friendly threads into the businesses’ fabric. For him, success isn't just financial; it's about creating a haven where people, culture, and nature harmoniously coexist.
Vivek is a graduate of the Institute of Hotel Management and has an ICD.D designation from the Directors Education Program at Rotman School of Business on corporate board governance. He is an avid travel enthusiast having lived and worked in 8 countries, travelled to 30 more and lived and worked coast to coast to coast in Canada.
Vivek has a passion for golf and skiing and enjoys fine food and wine especially when socializing with friends and family.​
Monica Dickinson
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With an early love for travel and ongoing passion for people and community, Monica’s draw to a career in tourism was natural and fitting. Over the past 20 years, Monica’s experience has spanned all levels of destination marketing and management at both the regional and community levels.
Monica’s journey has been a full immersion within destination organizations, starting with a university summer job as a Visitor Services Ambassador to most recently the CEO of Tourism Kamloops. Her strategic leadership and effectiveness as a community collaborator draws from extensive experience in communications, industry and partner relations, marketing, and destination/experience development.
Monica’s vast destination organization knowledge and deep industry relationships were foundational in launching innovative partnerships, such as Golf Kamloops and the Kamloops Tourism Innovation Lab positioning Kamloops’ tourism economy as a destination leader in these areas.
Placing community at the core, Monica fiercely advocates for tourism’s positive contributions in destinations and is deeply invested in elevating resident lifestyle, reimagining and rebuilding the tourism economy, and building a reputation as an industry committed to developing and implementing accessible, inclusive, and sustainable strategies to serve industry, community, and visitors.
Away from work Monica embraces the simple indulgences of life - hiking, biking, paddle boarding, skiing, wine tasting, and savouring local flavours with family and friends.
