Year: 2027

Amber Papou

Amber Papou is CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC), where she champions tourism’s contribution to economic opportunity, community well-being and a sustainable future. With more than 20 years of leadership across tourism, education and economic development, she brings a practical approach to connecting industry, government, Indigenous… Read more

Chieko Tanaka

Chieko Tanaka is the founder of TOURISTSHIP, based in Kyoto, Japan. In 2021, she introduced ‘Touristship’, a concept inspired by sportsmanship that encourages travelers to care for, interact with, and contribute to the places they visit. Her work focuses on traveler education to create tourism that benefits both visitors and… Read more

Lindsey Gartner

Lindsey Gartner is the Executive Director of the Outdoor Council of Canada (OCC). The OCC reps everyone who works, play and learns outside as both a certifying body that has trained 10,000 outdoor leaders, and an industry association supporting the businesses and professionals who make the sector run. The OCC… Read more

Alexis Kereluk

Alexis is a co-founder of ConnectSeven Group, a consultancy using tourism and events to drive meaningful, measurable change. She is at the forefront of initiatives that embed sustainability, risk mitigation, and climate adaptation into how destinations and businesses plan, operate, and evolve. Alexis leads high-impact projects that move organizations from ambition… Read more

Callandra Caufield

Callandra Caufield is the Executive Director of Explore Cochrane, where she is helping shape the future of an emerging tourism destination. Drawing on nearly 30 years of experience across international event management, entrepreneurship, destination management and culinary tourism, she brings a diverse perspective to destination development. Throughout her career, she… Read more

Meiz Majoub

Meiz Majdoub Jr. is the founder and CEO of Mostar Labs, a Victoria-based marine technology company behind LilyPad, modular floating platforms that bring clean power to the waterfront. Tied to a dock or moored offshore, a LilyPad lets harbours, marinas and tour operators charge electric vessels and run shore power… Read more

Carylann Assante, CAE

A seasoned tourism and association executive, Carylann Assante, CAE serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the Student & Youth Travel Association, the international association that promotes student and youth group travel worldwide. Carylann is also the Chief Staff Officer of the SYTA Youth Foundation, the philanthropic arm that provides… Read more

Joe Naaman

Joe Naaman is a tourism strategist and founder of Wild Sage Advisors, where he works with destinations and tourism organizations on long-term strategy, place development, and creating greater value for communities. He is the author of Tourism That Matters and has developed several frameworks for helping destinations better understand themselves… Read more

Dr. Jessica Hernandez

Dr. Jessica Hernandez is a globally recognized Indigenous scientist, climate justice leader, and best-selling author redefining environmentalism through an Indigenous lens. One of the most sought-after voices on climate justice, Indigenous science, and decolonizing environmentalism, she brings a rare combination to every stage: rigorous scientific expertise, lived Indigenous knowledge, and… Read more

Paul Moran

Paul Moran is a chef, forager, freediver and entrepreneur whose connection to wild food began at 12, picking morels in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. A Top Chef Canada winner, Moran has worked in acclaimed kitchens across Canada and internationally. He founded Sixty Forty in Saanichton and Ancient Dunes in Haida… Read more