Serial Entrepreneur
Introducing Thomas Vincent
Thomas is trying to break the mold of ‘one size fits all’ idea, whether in business or community.
Community has always been a driving force behind Thomas; from taking care of his employees (that still call him 30+ years later to wish him a Happy Birthday); to helping single parent families get back on their feet by providing a roof over their heads; to supporting Syrian Refugee families immigrating to Canada and helping to make sure they were set up with a place to live and introduced to Collingwood and area amenities; to understanding the housing crisis we are facing not only in Canada but specifically the South Georgian Bay Region of Ontario and trying to initiate an affordable housing programme.
Thomas Vincent is well recognized amongst his colleagues and community as someone who will challenge the system, raise the bar, and get the job done –making sure everyone has fun along the way.
Thomas has been happily married for 45 years to his wonderful partner, Kari Payne-Vincent. Their daughter Kimberly Vincent, is currently responsible for business development at Global Hospitality Inc.
1971
Graduate of University of Toronto, Psychology Major
1973
Living in London for a year 1972-73, he created Eurolondon, a Guest Home organization with 300 B&B’s in London. Marketed holiday travelers through Eurolondon from Toronto for North America.
1975
Formed Vincent Travel and Tours; a retail travel outlet, selling primarily travel to London and Europe. Obtained all three airline accreditations; domestic, transborder and IATA.
1975-76
Created VillaJamiaca and World Wide Villa Vacations. Appointed the official rep of villas in Jamaica and branched out to represent over 10,000 villas and apartments worldwide, selling through the travel industry.
1977
Created Executive Travel Apartments, offering fully furnished travel apartments/corporate suites to business travelers on a relocation, assignment or training program. Set a new benchmark and standard of quality and service for corporate housing in Canada.
1977
1980
Furnished 65 corporate apartments at 1101 Bay Street to become, at the time, one of the largest corporate housing operators in Toronto.
1981
Wound up the leisure travel companies and concentrated on the corporate housing business.
1982-84
Raised $40 Million, through SBDC’s to invest in corporate apartment properties in Toronto and Ottawa.
1985
Bought land on Scollard Street in Yorkville from the Stone Church on Davenport, and began to develop the property into a luxury furnished suite condominium 40 Scollard Street.
1990-91
Completed building 40 Scollard St. as a 100 unit executive furnished corporate residence, the first of it’s kind in Canada. Unfortunately the timing of the opening, during the recession, caused a major meltdown and the building was finally sold as residential condominiums. Huge personal loss to Vincent.
1992- 1998
Expanded the corporate housing business on leases, management contracts etc, through worldwide contacts, to 40 cities worldwide, with over 500 suites in Toronto and renamed the business Global Travel Apartments.
1998
Sold corporate housing business to an IPO in the USA, that wanted an international presence in the corporate housing travel marketplace. Business was renamed Bridgestreet and he became Executive VP of International business.
2000
Bridgestreet, as a public company was initially purchased by Meristar Hotel Group and was then sold to Interstate Hotels and Resorts. Thom was recruited by the CEO of Interstate to relocate to Washington DC and become President of Bridgestreet International and Executive VP of Interstate Hotel Group with 410 hotels in America.
2001
President of Corporate Housing Providers Association (CHPA) and expanded CHPA horizons from the USA to Canada and the UK.
2004
For family reasons, retired from Bridgestreet USA and Interstate Hotels and Resorts and returned from USA to Canada.
NB: Bridgestreet Corporate Housing
Bridgestreet was a leading provider of furnished corporate apartments for business travellers on a relocation, training program or assignment. Thomas was President of Bridgesteet Corporate Housing, based in Washington DC, from 2000-2004.
Bridgestreet was a recognized brand in the corporate housing marketplace for over 20 years. The industry experienced unprecedented growth and innovation during this time. Unfortunately Bridgesteet ownership decided to close its services and sell it’s assets in late 2021, after COVID dramatically reduced business travel worldwide.
2005
Merged three corporate housing companies in Toronto; Bridgestreet, Minto and Skyline corporate housing. Ultimately managed by Minto and Vincent acted as a Consultant for a year.
2006
Engaged with the start up of a web-based Tech Company in SFO called Aaxsys as a reservations, property management and marketing technology for the corporate housing industry. Presently Director of Business Development and Consultant.
2006
2007
Created a unique website for singles to help understand the behaviours they want and need in their next partner Business presently in a reworking phase.
Committed to the betterment of community
