B ob Gaglardi is a Canadian hotelier and real estate developer who founded and chairs Northland Properties, Canada's largest privately-owned hospitality company. His entrepreneurial journey began in the 1960s. In 1963, he opened the first Sandman Inn hotel in British Columbia, which would become the foundation of his hospitality empire.

Under his leadership, Northland Properties has grown into a vast enterprise with a diverse portfolio. The company owns and operates several hotel chains, including Sandman and Sutton Place, as well as a large network of restaurants and pubs, such as Denny's Canada and Moxies. Gaglardi's influence also extends to the world of professional sports, as his family owns the NHL's Dallas Stars and the WHL's Kamloops Blazers. His children are now actively involved in running the family's extensive business interests.