Gaining the Edge - Tourism 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.
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 family (especially her nephew), friends and two cats who make dog ownership much more appealing.
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 Tourism BC in their Tourism Partner Program guidelines.
- Ensures that the marketing interests of the stakeholders are met through receipt of input and consideration 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.
- Liaises with the Stakeholder Business Development Manager to ensure program sales reach sales targets.
Tamara Hutchinson
Consumer Marketing Coordinator
Currently on Maternity Leave until April 2013
Trade and Media Relations
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:
- Ensures that all departmental activities are approved and coordinated through the Marketing Manager.
- Assists in the development of the annual media relations and trade relations budgets and ensures that they is adhered to.
- Liaises with Tourism BC as the Vancouver Island Specialist regarding Vancouver Island participation in the Provincial Media Relations and Trade Relations plans.
- Ensures that all media and trade related requests by Tourism BC and the CTC are fulfilled.
- Develops positive relationships with travel media, travel wholesalers, receptive operators and tour operators.
- Ensures that the results of Media Relations and Trade Relations are documented and measured on a regular basis.
- Ensures that the association’s successes are regularly communicated to the stakeholders within the region.
- Manages the coordination and development of marketing projects as directed by the Marketing Manager.
- Supervises the activities of the Media & Trade Relations Coordinator.
- Provides regular updates on media and trade activities to the Marketing Committee.
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 Vancouver Island University 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.
- Assists in ensuring that all media and travel trade related requests by Tourism BC and the CTC are fulfilled.
- Develops positive relationships with travel media, travel wholesalers, receptive operators, tour operators and tourism stakeholders.
- Ensures that the results of media and travel trade relations are documented and measured on a regular basis.
- Ensures that all travel media and travel trade activities are approved and coordinated through the respective reporting managers.
Information Technology and Web Development
A life long Nanaimo Resident, Shannon obtained her diploma for Information Technology and Applied Systems (ITAS) at 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.
- Ensures that all program websites contain current and accurate information.
- Assists in developing ongoing upgrades and changes to the website.
- Ensures that all computer stations are working efficiently including upgrades and general maintenance.
- Maintains communications with Technical Support firms to ensure that all computer maintenance is completed cost effectively
- Ensures that comparable quotes are acquired for all network and computer purchases of the association.
- Develops new websites as required.
- Maintains the social media presence.
Stakeholder Business Development
Susan Webster
Stakeholder Business Development Manager
Phone: 250.751.3791
Fax: 250.751.3795
susan@tourismvi.ca
Susan started her career in 1983 as a travel agent in Vancouver. She later became involved in hotel management in corporate sales with a leading national hotel company followed by several years in Whistler where she was successful in developing corporate sales business for Whistler Resort and Conference Centre. After the birth of her first child and a desire for more flexibility, Susan acquired several contracts in advertising sales and media planning with a focus on tourism. Susan has worked on contract for Tourism Vancouver Island selling several of their programs including the Vancouver Island Vacation Guide for the past 16 years.
Susan's call areas include the Oceanside region and Pacific Rim region of Vancouver Island.
- Train, develop and supervise the Stakeholder Business Development team.
- Ensures that advertising and promotional sales reach targets.
- Ensures regular contact with stakeholders in both selling programs and building and maintaining relationships and ensuring the team is attending functions, conferences and events that will further build relationships with Tourism Vancouver Island stakeholders.
- Prospects for potential advertisers, conduct telephone sales calls and in-person sales visits and complete contracts with participants.
- Conducts regular visits with industry stakeholders.
- Answers stakeholder questions and concerns regarding the association and its workings.
Victoria Graham
Stakeholder Business Development Representative
Currently on Maternity Leave until August 2012
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.
Karen Bonell
Stakeholder Business Development Representative
Phone: 250.792.3733
Fax: 250.754.3599
karen@tourismvi.ca
Karen has worked in the tourism industry for the past 22 years. After graduating from college with a Tourism and Travel diploma and obtaining a BA in Sociology, Karen gained valuable experience working at the Hilton Hotel in Sydney, Australia and then spent the first decade of her career working in Sales & Marketing at resorts in Ontario. With a specialty in ski resort marketing, she made the move west to Vancouver Island and worked as the Director of Sales & Marketing at Mount Washington Alpine Resort for 11 years. In 2009 Karen established her own marketing consultant business specializing in tourism marketing.
Karen's call areas will include the Gulf Islands, Cowichan Region, North Central Region and the North Island Region of Vancouver Island.
- Ensures that advertising and promotional sales reach targets.
- Ensures regular contact with stakeholders in both selling programs and building and maintaining relationships.
- Prospect for potential advertisers, conduct telephone sales calls and in-person sales visits and complete contracts with participants.
- Conducts regular visits with industry stakeholders.
- Answers stakeholder questions and concerns regarding the association and its workings.
- Assists in the development of advertising and promotional projects.
Cindy Pollard
Stakeholder Business Development Representative
Phone: 250.740.1216
Fax: 250.754.3599
cindy@tourismvi.ca
Cindy considers herself an island girl now that she has spent over 20 years here. She has also lived in Europe and the US. Her educational career was truly international but she concluded her studies at Trent University in Ontario. She started her career in marketing at a well known computer company and then later moved into public relations and advertising. After taking time to raise her two daughters Cindy returned to the world of work in a variety of capacities that have ultimately led her back to the world of sales and marketing.
Cindy's call areas will include Nanaimo and the South Island region of Vancouver Island.
- Ensures that advertising and promotional sales reach targets.
- Ensures regular contact with stakeholders in both selling programs and building and maintaining relationships.
- Prospect for potential advertisers, conduct telephone sales calls and in-person sales visits and complete contracts with participants.
- Conducts regular visits with industry stakeholders.
- Answers stakeholder questions and concerns regarding the association and its workings.
- Assists in the development of advertising and promotional projects.
Industry & Community Services
Industry & Community Services Manager
Phone: 250.740.1224
Fax: 250.754.3599
jody@tourismvi.ca
Jody graduated with Distinction from Vancouver Island University in June of 2008 with a Bachelor of Tourism Management with a Major in Recreation. She also holds a Certificate in Event Management as well as a Diploma in Tourism Studies. Prior to coming to Tourism Vancouver Island Jody has held roles within the tourism industry as a Front Desk Agent, Visitor Information Counsellor, and Event Planner. Jody’s passion for exploring other countries and cultures has taken her all over the world – Europe, Africa, Asia and the far reaches of Canada. During Jody’s free time she enjoys hiking and camping on Vancouver Island and daydreaming about where her obsession with globe-trotting will take her next!
- Ensures that the annual industry services strategy is developed to accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in the Association’s strategic plan.
- Ensures that the annual Community Tourism Foundations strategy is developed to accomplish the goals and objectives outlined in the Association’s strategic plan.
- Ensures that a professional and effective industry services team is in place and supervises the team’s implementation of the tactics of the Industry Services plan.
- Ensures that all programs identified in the industry services plan are successfully implemented.
- Ensures that budget goals are accomplished through monitoring expenses and revenues of all industry services initiatives.
- Ensures that all industry services initiatives 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.
Industry & Community Services Coordinator
Phone: 250.740.1221
Fax: 250.754.3599
megan@tourismvi.ca
Raised in Ladysmith, Megan graduated from Vancouver Island University in 2008 with a degree in Tourism Management. Her background includes positions as a Visitor Information Counsellor, Administrator and Supervisor with the Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Victoria, as well as a researcher for Vancouver Island University and the Village of Lytton.
Megan's love of travel and tourism has taken her throughout Europe, South East Asia, Mexico and the far corners of British Columbia. In her spare time she enjoys painting, collecting records and planning her next adventure.
- Assists with the implementation of all programs identified in the industry services plan.
- Assists with identifying and implementing programs.
- Assists in ensuring events are planned and managed in a professional and efficient manner.
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 and gardening..
- Ensures that all recording and reporting for multiple sets of books including: Tourism Vancouver Island Operating; Tourism Vancouver Island Partner Program and Special Contracts are done in an accurate and timely fashion.
- Ensures that the project and financial reporting to Tourism BC and regulatory bodies is done in a timely and accurate fashion.
- Monitors budgets and forecast projections ensuring that expenditures are within budgeted targets.
- Ensures that general office surroundings are maintained at an optimal level.
Corporate Services
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).
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.
- Prepares communications, contracts and proposals on behalf of the President & CEO
- Prepares contracts & proposals on behalf of the various office departments
- Prepares reports on behalf of the President & CEO and various departments
- Coordinates the Board of Director Meetings
- Supports Media/Trade department with itinerary building
