(flickr.com)

Media Contacts

Tania Venn

Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Tania.Venn@gov.bc.ca
250 208-6183

Backgrounders

Minister’s Tourism Engagement Council member biographies

Sheila Bouman (chair) – viaSport: As chief executive officer of viaSport, Bouman is committed to working with partners across sport, health, education and community to champion change so that more British Columbians can thrive in sport.

Janice Alpine – Ktunaxa Nation Council: Alpine is the business development officer for the Kootenay Aboriginal Business Society.

Nancy Lee Arsenault – Tourism Café: Arsenault is managing partner and chief designer of the Tourism Café in Comox.

Claire Avison – Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture: Avison is the assistant deputy minister with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Diane Bond – Okanagan Summer Festival:  Bond is the founder and managing director of the Okanagan Summer Festival Society.

Rene Bourget – Three Valley Lake Chateau: Bourget is the manager of operations, marketing and sales at her family’s 180 bed resort west of Revelstoke.

Michelle Collens – Vancouver Sport Hosting: Collens is the director of sport hosting with the City of Vancouver, working closely with all levels of government, tourism, and community.

Ken Cretney – BC Pavilion Corporation: Cretney is the president and CEO of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo).

Chris de Eyre – Expedia: de Eyre manages Expedia's lodging partner services team for Western Canada, focusing on strategic consulting and revenue management for hotels.

Tracy Eyssens – Indigenous Tourism BC: Eyssens is the chief executive officer of Indigenous Tourism British Columbia.

Julie Fowler – Arts Wells Fest: Fowler is the executive and artistic director of the Island Mountain Arts Society in Wells.

Clint Fraser – Northern BC Tourism Association: As chief executive officer of the Northern BC Tourism Association, Fraser works with the board at Northern BC Tourism.  

Matt Fraser – Airhouse Sports Academy: Fraser has more than 20 years of experience as a leader in the service and tourism sectors and is managing partner of Airhouse Sports Academy.

Brad Harrison – Adventure Tourism Coalition: Harrison is the executive director of the Backcountry Lodges of British Columbia Association and the owner/operator of Colwest Alpine Adventures.

John Hull – Thompson Rivers University: Hull is an associate professor at the faculty of adventure, culinary arts and tourism at Thompson Rivers University. 

Walt Judas – Tourism Industry Association of BC: Judas has been involved in the tourism industry for over 25 years, and is CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia. 

Glenn Mandziuk (vice-chair) – Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association: Mandziuk is the chief executive officer of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Region.

Katherine McRae – Commercial Bear Viewing Association: MacRae is the executive director of the Commercial Bear Viewing Association of British Columbia.

Don Monsour – Bon Appetit: Monsour is president of Bon Appetit Foods.

Sandra Oldfield – Tinhorn Creek Vineyards: Oldfield is the president of Elysian Projects Inc., a company that supports B.C.'s wine industry.

Stephen Paccagnan – Panorama Resort: Paccagnan is the chief executive officer at Panorama Resort.

Breanne Quesnel – Spirit of the West Adventures: Quesnel is the owner/operator of Spirit of the West Adventures, a guided sea kayak tour company.

Stephen Smith – Crest Hotel and Pacific Inn: Smith is president and chief executive officer of several Prince Rupert hospitality-related businesses.

Beat Steiner – Bella Coola Heli Sports: Steiner is owner and chief executive officer of Bella Coola Heli Sports.

Cathy Thicke – District of Tofino: Thicke is a councillor with the District of Tofino.

Tamara Verigin-Burk – Castlegar Chamber of Commerce: Verigin-Burk is a CEO with a background in non-profit business, tourism, economic development and social sectors.

Marsha Walden – Destination British Columbia: Walden is president and CEO of Destination British Columbia.

Mark Werner – Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia: Werner is the owner of Backcountry Guide Outfitters.