Long Range Marketing StrategyExecutive Office
In Dave’s present capacity as the President and CEO of Tourism Vancouver Island he steers the organization toward its vision of “positioning Vancouver Island as a premier destination”. Dave has been with Tourism Vancouver Island since December 2000 and has nearly 30 years experience working in various sectors of the Tourism industry. He has held lead positions with destination marketing organizations such as: Tourism Prince George and Lesser Slave Lake Regional Tourism. Dave has also been a college instructor teaching Hospitality Administration and has held positions as hotel manager, food and beverage manager, restaurant manager and executive chef.
Dedication to the tourism industry has led to many volunteer activities in such organizations as: Northern BC Tourism Association, The Alberta Tourism Partnership, Midnight Twilight Tourism Association, Port Hardy Chamber of Commerce and The Tourism Association of Vancouver Island.
Dave is an avid fly fisherman, a skier and will golf if his wife Sandra forces him.
Born and raised on the mainland (Okanagan Centre, B.C.), though in 1997 he lived overseas in his other homeland of Australia for six months. Trevor completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Northern British Columbia in December 2003. He moved to Vancouver Island in September 2004.
His tourism background comes from four years of experience as a Visitor Information Counsellor and Coordinator at the Visitor Info Centre in Prince George. He has been with Tourism Vancouver Island since April 2005.
Trevor enjoys golfing, music composition, exploring the parks of Vancouver Island, and travelling the planet with his wife.
- Facilitates travel arrangements for staff business travel.
- Coordinates the Board of Director Meetings.
- Records and maintains Minutes for Board of Director Meetings.
- Prepares communications, contracts and proposals on behalf of the President & CEO.
- Coordinates and manages the President & CEO’s calendar.
- Maintains a filing system for the President & CEO.
- Assists Financial Services & Operations Manager with payables and receivables.
Marketing Department
Denise has spent most of her life on Vancouver Island living in both Port McNeill and Nanaimo. She obtained her Business Management Diploma from Malaspina University-College and before joining Tourism Vancouver Island in November 2003, spent 8 years managing Stubbs Island Whale Watching in Telegraph Cove.
Denise enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with her friends and two feline fur-babies.
As Marketing Manager, Denise develops and implements the annual marketing plan.
- Ensures that the annual business review and marketing plans meet the standards as set out by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in their Tourism Partner Program guidelines.
- Ensures that the marketing interests of the Stakeholders are met through receipt of Stakeholder input and inclusion of that input in the marketing plan.
- Ensures the budget goals are accomplished through monitoring expenses and revenues of all marketing initiatives.
- Ensures that the quality and value of all media purchases are to an acceptable standard.
- Ensures that all marketing projects are evaluated through the development and implementation of measurement strategies.
- Ensures that all Stakeholders have access to Tourism Vancouver Island Programs through regular communications with Stakeholders.
- Ensures that all projects reach the budgeted private sector contributions.
Kara grew up in Quesnel, but has always been an island girl at heart. After graduating high school in 2003, Kara moved to Nanaimo. She attended Malaspina University-College and received her degree in Tourism Management with a minor in Recreation.
After graduation Kara followed her passion for tourism and travel. She left for one year to explore Australia and South East Asia, although her love for the island brought her back to Nanaimo.
Kara enjoys spending time with friends and family, enjoying all of the great outdoor activities Vancouver Island has to offer.
As Marketing Coordinator Kara:
- Assists in identifying new marketing initiatives
- Assists in the preparation of marketing plans and budgets
- Prepares media kits for marketing campaigns
- Provides marketing information and support to participating stakeholders
- Assists with the facilitation of the Marketing committee
- Prepares and distributes Marketing Updates to our stakeholders and Marketing Committee
- Assists with Media familiarization tours
- Track Editorial coverage
- Assist with the preparation and distribution of reports and press releases
Media Relations
Born and raised in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, Lana joined Tourism Vancouver Island in 1997 after completing the first year of Tourism Management Studies through Malaspina University-College (now Vancouver Island University). She administers the Media Relations program for the association and liaises with qualified travel media and the product sector to achieve the media relations goals.
Prior to joining Tourism Vancouver Island, Lana worked in a diverse range of areas including woodworking/joinery, ski resort lift maintenance, office administration, restaurant hospitality, and real estate support. She enjoys traveling, meeting people, connecting with friends across the miles, and spending time with family, but her life passion is her dogs and learning about others and their canine companions.
- Travel media communication
- Media press trips & itinerary development
- Attend travel media conferences and events
- Associate Member of Society of American Travel Writers (SATW)
- Industry Member of Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC)
Travel Trade
Regional Travel Trade Representative
Phone: 250.740.1218
Fax: 250.754.3599
heather@tourismvi.ca
Heather was born and raised in White Rock, B.C. and became an islander in 2006 and has loved living on Vancouver Island ever since.
After completing her BBA from SFU, specializing in marketing, she took a chance and joined a new digital media company and after a few months was transferred to Toronto. Within a year after living in the big city, she realized it just wasn’t the same as home and started her search to move back to the west coast. Luckily, she landed a job with a large consumer packaged goods company and was given the opportunity to move to Victoria. So, she packed her bags and headed out west and now considers herself a true Islander.
Heather joined Tourism Vancouver Island in 2008 and enjoys working with the TVI team. Her role consists of the following:
- Attending travel trade marketplaces such as ITB Berlin, Rendez-vous Canada, and Canada’s West Marketplace.
- Coordinating familiarization trips for the travel trade.
- Monitoring trade tariff publications to determine increased placement of Vancouver Island product.
- Developing and maintains a database of trade contacts and activities.
- Conducting sales calls and training sessions with travel trade.
Information Technology and Web Development
Web & Systems Administrator
Phone: 250.740.1222
Fax: 250.754.3599
shannon@tourismvi.ca
A life long Nanaimo Resident, Shannon obtained her diploma for Information Technology and Applied Systems (ITAS) through Malaspina University-College (now called Vancouver Island University). She has been with Tourism Vancouver Island since December 2004.
Shannon enjoys boating, camping, web design and spending time with her friends and family.
- Develops and maintains all Tourism Vancouver Island’s websites.
- Installs, maintains, and repairs all workstation and server hardware and software.
- Provides Office Technical Support.
Distribution
Jody is Vancouver Island raised, having resided in both Nanaimo and Ladysmith. She graduated with Distinction from Vancouver Island University in June of 2008 with a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a Major in Recreation.
To her position Jody brings a great deal of experience in the tourism industry. She has worked at Tourism Victoria for a summer co-op position as a Visitor Information Counsellor (VIC), Chemainus Chamber of Commerce as a VIC and Event Planner, and as a Front Desk Agent for two prominent Nanaimo hotels.
Jody’s passion for travel has taken her all over the world. Most recently she spent two months backpacking around Southeast Asia visiting such countries as Hong Kong, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Her favourite part of visiting Thailand was enjoying the Red Thai Curries and the crystal clear waters of the beaches. During Jody’s free time she enjoys photography, spending time with family and friends, and exploring the rugged outdoors of Vancouver Island.- Planning and organizing collateral material distribution (Vacation Guide, Outdoor Guide, etc.)
- Processing and mailing of bulk distribution orders
- Tracking and inventory control of collateral materials
- Responsible for Visitor Inquiry Fulfillment
- Conducts general office administrative duties
- Assists consumers in finding information about the Vancouver Island Region
- Ensures that the stakeholder and contact databases are current
Industry Services
Victoria Graham
Program Representative
Phone: 250.740.1216
Fax: 250.754.3599
vicky@tourismvi.ca
Victoria grew up in Victoria, BC. After high school she went to Camosun College for her diploma in Business Administration. Her passion for tourism then led her to the Thompson Rivers University (formally University College of the Cariboo) in Kamloops, to complete her Bachelor of Tourism Management.
Upon completing her degree she had another goal to fulfill, Victoria moved to Taiwan to teach English and travel around Asia. Victoria began her journey with Tourism Vancouver Island in July 2007.
In her spare time she enjoys travelling, camping, socializing, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.
- Ensures that advertising and promotional sales reach targets
- Ensures that positive relationships are maintained with tourism stakeholders
- Assists in the development of advertising and promotional projects
- Ensures that AGM sponsorships reach targets
- Ensures that AGM auction items reach target values
Industry Services Coordinator - Events
Phone: 250.740.1224
Fax: 250.754.3599
tamara@tourismvi.ca
Tamara joined the Tourism Vancouver Island team in May 2005 after completing 4 years in the Tourism Management Degree program at Malaspina University College. For the past few months she has been enjoying her time as a new mom to her son who keeps her very busy. Outside of being a first time mom and getting back into the working groove she enjoys spending her time outdoors and being creative. She is looking forward to all the exciting changes ahead for Vancouver Island!
- Assists in coordinating Stakeholder focus groups
- Assists in coordinating the Conference and Annual General Meeting
- Assists in coordinating all other Special Events as directed by the President & CEO.
- Solicits and coordinates volunteers when needed
Industry Services Coordinator - Research
Phone: 250.740.1221
Fax: 250.754.3599
merv@tourismvi.ca
Merv graduated from Vancouver Island University with his Bachelor of Tourism Management Degree with Distinction in 2002. Since then he has taught in South Korea and as a sessional instructor in the Tourism and Recreation Department, School of Business at Vancouver Island University. He has been with Tourism Vancouver Island since 2005 and received his Masters of Education (Honours) at James Cook University in Queensland, Australia in 2008. Merv will be undertaking his PhD in the Geography Faculty at the University of Victoria, Fall 2010.
Merv enjoys travel, photography, and writing, is learning to play guitar and plans to learn Korean. Merv also enjoys RV camping on Vancouver Island with his wife and zippy dog, Louis Vuitton.
- Facilities and coordinates community programs with Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts
- Prepares and develops internal research projects, surveys and questionnaires
- Monitors external research and prepares reports for internal and external use
- Assists in other Industry Services projects as required
Operations
Financial Services & Operations Manager
Phone: 250.740.1223
Fax: 250.754.3599
sharon@tourismvi.ca
Sharon is an Island girl except for a short stint in the Cariboo and has lived in many Vancouver Island communities.
She has over 15 years financial experience and joined Tourism Vancouver Island in March of 2000.
Sharon recently received her CGA designation and enjoys being with her family, gardening, and learning to golf.
- Ensures that the financial recording and reporting for Tourism Vancouver Island operating and marketing books is done in an accurate and timely fashion.
- Ensures that the project and financial reporting for the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts is done in an accurate and timely fashion
- Assists in the preparation of the Annual Operating Budget
- Prepares forecasts and projections of operating and project revenues and expenses
- Prepares comparisons of revenues and expenditures to targets
- Coordinates the annual audit of the financial statements for the organization
- Assists in other areas of operations as requested by the CEO
