At Les Clefs d’Or Canada, we are proud of the strong relationships we build with our preferred suppliers. Through the years, many of them become friends and many support our association by providing outstanding customer service to our Members or by sponsoring our events. We are happy to invite them on our Blog and offer them an opportunity to explain how our relationship benefits them, us and, most importantly, our clients.

I’ll begin by saying what a privilege and honor it is to be invited to write a piece for Les Clefs d’Or Canada.  As a sponsor and supporter of this incredible organization, Xpera Risk Mitigation and Investigation understands the extremely high standards demanded by Golden Keys members and respects the seven core values that have underpinned your organization since 1929.

Operating since 1975, Xpera is Canada’s leading provider of Risk Mitigation & Investigation services with 24 offices throughout Canada and major hubs in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary.  Our clients range from fortune 500 companies, municipalities, government departments and high net worth individuals and their families.

How can Xpera add to the impressive gamut of services already under the purview of the Golden Keys and enhance the experience, comfort and security of your guests?

Xpera can optimize personal and professional performance by insulating clients from external detractions whilst protecting their reputation.  Consider the following scenario: A high-profile executive representing a divisive multinational corporation or a high net worth individual with contentious views is staying at your hotel.

How could an ostensibly routine visit cause reputational harm and affect the business continuity of the individual and hotel? There are countless threat vectors to consider – terror/lone wolf attacks, activism (environmental and shareholder), petty crime (theft/violence), corporate espionage, hidden cameras and mass demonstrations to name only a few.

In order to mitigate these risks on behalf of our clients, Xpera gathers and assesses information from numerous sources to establish what information is readily accessible regarding the lifestyle and movements of our clients (has their attendance at your hotel been mentioned online), gauge what the current online sentiment is towards them (positive or negative), identify specific threats directed towards the individual and/or their visit to your hotel, analyse crime statistics in the locality of the hotel to mitigate the risk of being a victim of random or targeted crime.

Based on all information and intelligence gathered, the threat level is assessed, and appropriate countermeasures are recommended by Xpera.  Common countermeasures executed by Xpera include secure driving services, the deployment of uniformed security guards and/or discreet plain clothes close protection operatives to insulate the principal from threat actors, security awareness training, ‘bug sweeps’ to avoid leakage of confidential, personal and privileged information, physical threat risk assessments of existing hotel/venue security and the review of emergency response plans.

Xpera can perform bespoke end to end services or can assist corporate, personal or hotel security teams in the execution of specific elements of their security management plan. Xpera also works in collaboration with clients to ensure that the intelligence led protective services we provide is unobtrusive and compatible with the diverse array of personal and professional lifestyles led in contemporary times, ensuring that clients are insulated from a myriad of threat vectors and actors.   

Xpera and the Golden Keys share many of the same clients who often lead very busy and complex lives, with high demands on their time.  Xpera has a history of working closely with the Fairmont Banff Springs and Les Clef d’Or President Don Mooney in the provision of protective services for private events and individuals.  We hope that this relationship can continue to flourish and grow to our mutual benefit with integrity and respect across Canada.

In service through friendship.

Jim Ellis

Senior Risk Manager

Xpera Risk Mitigation and Investigation

Cell: 403-992-2570

James.ellis@xpera.ca