Will Not Rest On Laurels; Has Ambitious Plans To Diversify Into Other Fields
By Bala Menon
MISSISSAUGA – On November 16, 2017, Sameer Sharma was bestowed with the coveted title of “Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2017” by the Mississauga Board of Trade.
The award is given to businesses and individuals whose achievements and community involvement have made significant contributions to the economic and social well being of the City of Mississauga.
In June this year at the memorable Indo-Canadian Chamber of Commerce 25th Annual Awards event at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) Sameer was selected for the ‘Young Achiever of the Year’ award.
So who is Sameer Sharma?
He is the suave, dynamic and articulate Director of the Crown Group of Hotels, one of the fastest growing hospitality groups in Canada with their properties flying the international Marriott, Best Western, Hilton and Choice flags.
‘From an acorn does an oak grow’ is an old adage that literally applies to the Crown Group. Crown is a millennial hotel company, helmed by youngsters Sameer Sharma and his sister Shivani Gupta Sharma. Behind them stand strong pillars of inspiration, their father Kuldeep Sharma who is CEO and President of the Group and mother Poonam who is also a Director.
Shivani’s husband Lawyer Devesh Gupta and a core group of professionals form the management team of the company. What began as a small firm in 2013 with four members of a family has now blossomed into a group with a portfolio that has crossed over $100 million in a period of only four years and more than 300 employees. However, Crown is continuing its aspiration to be the fastest growing hospitality group in North America.
Sameer got his first taste of management at the age of 21, when Crown acquired Courtyard Marriott in Brampton, the finest hotel property in the city. “I ran the hotel as its General Manager for a whole year in 2014 and under my watch did a complete $2 million renovation of the property. We then completed a $1.5 million renovation at our Hampton Inn & Suites Barrie property, which we acquired in 2016. This experience was great education for me.”
