Year: 2025

Paul Stewart

Paul is the Head Chef of the Victoria Cool Aid Society whose culinary career was inspired by his late Mother Anita, who was a cookbook author, culinary activist, and recipient of the Order of Canada. A graduate of the Stratford Chefs School and armed with over twenty five years of… Read more

Lauren Semple

Lauren Semple (she/they) is a dynamic leader at the intersection of inclusion, sustainability, and project management. With a human-centred approach to “DEI,” Lauren delivers specialized training and guidance to destinations and organizations, all rooted in authentic community connection. Their expertise in 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion and accessibility spans across sectors like tourism,… Read more

Carly Pereboom

Carly Pereboom (she/her) is a tenured leader in destination development, with extensive experience driving meaningful and inclusive change across multiple DMOs in British Columbia. As Executive Director, she has led strategic initiatives to align tourism goals with community priorities, fostering sustainable growth that reflects the values of local residents. Carly… Read more

Mathieu Roy

Mathieu brings more than 20 years of experience and a strategic, innovative mindset to his role as Chief Executive Officer with Trans Canada Trail. Mathieu is a professional engineer with the Order of Engineers of Quebec. He co-founded and led his own environmental consulting firm, and brings a wide range… Read more

Mike Douglas

Known as the ‘Godfather Of Freeskiing’, Mike Douglas is consistently listed by media outlets as one of the most influential skiers of all time. He is credited with the creation of the twin-tip ski and has won numerous awards as a skier. Mike is also a filmmaker specializing in outdoor… Read more

Taniell Hamilton

Taniell is the Destination and Sustainability Manager for Tourism Revelstoke and is responsible for the implementation of the community’s destination management plan. She holds an advanced certificate in Strategic Energy Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainability Studies. Taniell’s experience spans a variety of different roles, including Sustainability Consultant, Program… Read more

John Gunter

John will be sharing his expertise on the hour-long session ‘Exploring the Arctic: Tourism at the Edge of a Changing World’. John Gunter is the President & CEO of Frontiers North Adventures, a Certified B Corp travel and tourism company whose purpose it is to share in the stewardship of… Read more

Matt Morrison

Matt Morrison serves as CEO of the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) which was established in 1991 by statute in the states of Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, and the western Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon and Northwest Territory. Mr. Morrison also manages PNWER’s Center… Read more

Dr. Altaf Sovani

Altaf is the founder and CEO of Alzen Consulting Inc, a Boutique Consulting firm specializing in Hospitality, Tourism and Event industry. He has over 25 years of experience in academic leadership and as a professor in post-secondary institutions. Altaf is an award-winning author of the book “Labor Crisis in Hospitality,… Read more

Annie Dahan

Annie’s background in architecture and sustainability led her to found Seacork Studio – a startup developing biodegradable acoustic panels from seaweed. Through her work designing with low impact circular materials, she strives to inspire a cultural shift that rethinks our relationship with the natural world. She has a bachelor in… Read more