2014 INTERNATIONAL ABORIGINAL TOURISM CONFERENCE

Presented in partnership with: Supported by: 2014 INTERNATIONAL ABORIGINAL TOURISM CONFERENCE Whistler | April 15th - 16th CHIEF IAN CAMPBELL SQUAMI...
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2014 INTERNATIONAL ABORIGINAL TOURISM CONFERENCE Whistler | April 15th - 16th

CHIEF IAN CAMPBELL SQUAMISH NATION

KEITH HENRY CEO AtBC

On behalf of the Skwxwú7mesh Úxwumixw Squamish Nation and Aboriginal Tourism BC, we welcome you to the shared territory of the Lil’wat Nation and Squamish Nation. We are very excited at the response to the 2014 International Aboriginal Tourism Opportunities Conference and we anticipate many positive outcomes from this Event. Make sure you experience our Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre while you’re here with us and be sure to buy some gifts for friends and family from our local artists and carvers.

APRIL 15 - 16

2014 ABORIGINAL MARKETPLACE EVENTS:

International Aboriginal Tourism Conference Whistler, BC

APRIL 29 - MAY 1

National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference - Prince Rupert, BC

SEPT 9 - 11

National Aboriginal Business Opportunities Conference - Osoyoos, BC

OCT 28 - 29

RezGas 2014 - First Nations Gas Station and Convenience Store Conference - Osoyoos, BC

A B O R I G I N A L M A R K E T P L A C E . C O M

Welcome to the

2014 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference (IATC) This conference is unique in design with a focus on Best Practices and examples of successful Authentic Aboriginal Tourism businesses from around the world, as well as offering practical advice on how to succeed in the cultural tourism industry. Experience the 2014 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference at the Squamish Lil’Wat Cultural Centre and the Fairmont Chateau in Whistler, BC from April 15th and 16th. We have negotiated fantastic group rates for accommodation at this spectacular venue. As your conference Coordinators, our roles are to ensure you get the utmost value from your time with us. We will be on site from April 14th - 18th and can be reached at any time by calling Toll Free 855-307-5291. We have assembled a fantastic line-up of presenters for this event. Make sure you use all of the networking breaks to your advantage and stop by the hospitality event being hosted by Tourisme Québec and Tourisme autochtone Québec. Our hotel partner will be happy to assist you with your accommodation, just see the concierge at the front desk if you have any questions. Rochelle Saddleman and Geoff Greenwell

International Aboriginal Tourism Conference Whistler | April 15-16

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MAJOR SPONSORS

GREENWELL ASSET MANAGEMENT

Hospitality EVent SPONSORS

EXHIBITORS

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Aboriginal Creeations All Nations Trust Co. Anvil Centre and Tourism New Westminster Culture Shock Interactive Gallery Eagle Child Eagle Spirit Designs Homalco Wildlife Tours Industry Training Authority Infinity Studio Designs

Joan I Glendale Quaaout Lodge & Spa Responsible and Problem Gambling Program D Fashion Link Tourisme Québec Van Dop & Associates Visual Medicine Visual Medicine – Dexel Andrew

Dear Friends, Welcome to the 2014 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference (IATC). We look forward to hosting you at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre & the Fairmont Château Hotel in Whistler, BC from April 15th - 16th. Aboriginal Tourism BC (AtBC) is proud to co-host with the event planners from the 2G Group of Companies as well as the Aboriginal Marketplace. We would like to welcome and thank all of the delegates who have travelled from across Canada and internationally to attend the 2014 IATC. It is in this excitement that I write to thank so many of you for the support to attend and learn more about the Aboriginal cultural tourism industry. The success of IATC is critical to the vision of AtBC and other leaders who continue to value the importance of building an authentic, consistent and competitive Aboriginal tourism industry. This conference is the only international Aboriginal tourism conference in Canada that provides delegates essential industry information such as ideas on training, product development and marketing. It is this vision within AtBC where IATC will become the annual tourism industry event for any Aboriginal community, entrepreneur, or non Aboriginal partner to attend. AtBC is proud to recognize and honour cultural tourism businesses who continue to excel each tourism season. On behalf of the AtBC board and staff and our partners, I extend my sincere appreciation to so many of our friends and partners for ensuring the third International Aboriginal Tourism Conference will be a huge success. I especially want to recognize the partnerships with our event planners from the 2G Group of Companies and Aboriginal Marketplace for ensuring another great conference. I look forward to connecting with all of you at the 2014 IATC.

Keith Henry Chief Executive Officer Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia

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2014 INTERNATIONAL ABORIGINAL TOURISM CONFERENCE “Building Effective Partnerships for Indigenous Tourism”

April 15 to April 16, 2014 Fairmont Chateau Whistler Whistler, BC April 14, 2014 – Arrival Day Preferred Hotel – Fairmont Chateau Whistler Transfers from Vancouver – There is a third party bus transfer available from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Whistler via Pacific Coach Lines. Reservations are mandatory. Leaves YVR daily at 10am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 8pm. Call 1 (800) 661-1725 to make your reservation. Check in at Pacific Coach Lines counter on Level 2 (International Arrivals). Travel time is approx. 2.5 hours.

VIP Reception – Invitation Only 4:30 pm

Meet in Lobby of Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for an exclusive presentation. Invitation only.

Hospitality Event – Everyone Welcome! 7:00 pm Join us at the Longhouse at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre for Aboriginal-inspired hors d’oeuvres and refreshments

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AGENDA – April 15, 2014 – Day 1 7:30 am

Delegate Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:30 am

Protocol Welcome - Opening Prayer & Introductions



• Lil’wat & Squamish Representatives and Cultural Performance •  Greeting from Honourable Naomi Yamamoto • United Nations Tourism Organization - Taleb Rifai Secretary General (Video) •  Overview of IATC Conference Agenda



Honourable Naomi Yamamoto was re-elected as MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale in 2013 and was reappointed the Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business on June 10, 2013.



She has served as Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, Minister of State for Small Business and Minister of State for Building Code Renewal. 9:30 am

Larrakia Declaration & World Indigenous Tourism Alliance



Ben Sherman and Johnny Edmonds



The Larrakia Declaration makes the assertion that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples provides the foundation for advancement of global Indigenous tourism. This presentation will discuss the U.N. document which welcomes the fact that Indigenous peoples are organizing for economic, social and political advances.



Ben Sherman



10:30 am

Coffee Break & Networking

Johnny Edmonds



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AGENDA – April 15, 2014 – Day 1

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10:45 am

Research & Aboriginal Tourism – The Importance of Results



Panel Discussion: Dr. Peter Williams – Simon Fraser University Frank Verschuren – Canadian Tourism Commission Richard Porges – Destination BC Beverley O’Neil – O’Neil Marketing and Consulting



This panel highlights research that has worked best in supporting the advancement of Aboriginal tourism in British Columbia. Their international, provincial and tourism industry association perspectives provide invaluable lessons to consider when investing in Aboriginal tourism research.





Dr. Peter Williams





Richard Porges

12:00 pm

Lunch Break



Keynote Speaker - Anna Pollock, Conscious Travel



Anna Pollock

Frank Verschuren



Beverley O’Neil



AGENDA – April 15, 2014 – Day 1 1:00 pm Attracting the International Visitor – Creating New Economy for Your Tourism Destination

Panel Discussion: Marc Telio – Travel Trade, Entrée Canada Kevin Eshkawkogan – Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Circle,    Cruise Ship Strategy Dan Moore – Adventure Travel Trade Association Justin Ferbey – CEO, Carcross Tagish Management Corporation



How do you intrigue the International Traveller and identify new target markets? Panelists will discuss ways in which tour operators can adapt to the needs of new international and adventure travellers.



Marc Telio





Dan Moore

2:30 pm

Coffee Break & Networking

Kevin Eshkawkogan

Justin Ferbey

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AGENDA – April 15, 2014 – Day 1 2:45 pm

Working with Government and Industry



Panel Discussion: Ria Letcher – North West Territories Virginia Salazar-Halfmoon – AIANTA Keith Henry – AtBC Peter Harrison – Province of BC Eric Magnuson – Government of Canada



This panel will focus on the importance of collaboration and partnership in developing Aboriginal cultural tourism. Examples of product development and marketing strategies with Government and Industry will be showcased.

Ria Letcher







Peter Harrison

4:00 pm

Closing Remarks

4:30 pm

Tours of Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre available

Virginia Salazar- Halfmoon

Keith Henry

Eric Magnuson

5:00 -7:00 pm HOSPITALITY EVENT - Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre

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AGENDA – April 16, 2014 - Day 2 7:30 am

Continental Breakfast

8:30 am

Indigenous Tourism Australia



Honourable Alyssa Hayden MLC, Parliamentary Secretary to Deputy Premier and Minister of Tourism Western Australia



Hon. Alyssa Hayden

8:45 am

Regional Indigenous/Aboriginal Tourism Strategies



Panel Discussion: Glendyrr Fick – Knysna Tourism, South Africa Mihaela Kircheva – New Thracian Gold Foundation, Bulgaria Mauricio Miramontes – Sian Ka’an, Mexico Sandra White – FirstHost Patrick Lucas – First Nations Mountain Biking



This panel will discuss the strategic benefits of working partnerships on a regional level. Topics include working with neighbouring products and nations to create a cohesive strategy, filling market gaps and marketing a regional experience as a destination.



Glendyrr Fick

Mihaela Kircheva



Sandra White

10:30 am

Coffee Break & Networking

Patrick Lucas

Mauricio Miramontes

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AGENDA – April 16, 2014 - Day 2 10:45 am Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Circle – Nation Perspectives on Aboriginal Tourism

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Panel Discussion: Trina Mather-Simard – ATMC Stephen Ollerenshaw – Service Skills Australia Robert Taylor – Western Australia Indigenous Tourism   Operators Council Suzanne Denbak – AtBC Chris Bottrill – Capilano University



This presentation will highlight the ATMC, a marketing group of 24 members who strive to increase awareness about Aboriginal tourism across Canada. Included in the presentation are highlights of their activities and their strategy for moving forward.



Trina Mather-Simard



Suzanne Denbak

Stephen Ollerenshaw

Robert Taylor

Chris Bottrill

12:00 pm

Executing the Deal - A Glimpse into how AtBC is supporting Aboriginal tourism sales and promotion in British Columbia for the Aboriginal cultural Tourism industry



This presentation will highlight AtBC’s marketing campaign for 2014, including how AtBC has worked to focus consumer buying to include an Aboriginal experience in their itinerary. Also included in the presentation, how AtBC has worked to leverage their marketing programs with Government partners.

AGENDA – April 16, 2014 - Day 2 1:00 pm

Partnering for Conservation



Panel Discussion: Jeff Muntifering – Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia Tim McGrady – Spirit Bear Lodge, Klemtu, BC



This panel discussion will look at ways that tourism can be a key tool in working towards conservation efforts. The presenters will discuss how their efforts to stop poaching/trophy hunting have aided in the development of tourism in their Nations.



Jeff Muntifering



2:30 pm

Coffee Break & Networking

2:45 pm

Effective Digital Marketing – How to Reach Your Target Audience in the Digital Age



Keynote Speakers – Craig Brown, President of NichePlus Digital Inc.; Chris Severs, Manager Digital Strategy, Postmedia Group

Tim McGrady





Craig Brown

4:00 pm

Closing Remarks

Chris Severs

April 16, 2014 - Aboriginal Tourism BC’s Industry Awards 6:00 pm

Hotel Fairmont Ballroom



Join us for an evening of culture and to celebrate the achievements of Aboriginal Tourism BC’s best! Gala includes dinner, a cultural performance and awards ceremony.

April 17, 2014 – Departure Day

Transfers from Whistler – There is a third party bus transfer available Whistler to Vancouver Downtown & YVR via Pacific Coach Lines. Reservations are mandatory. Leaves Whistler daily at 6am, 9am, 12:30pm, 3:30pm and 7pm. Call 1 (800) 661-1725 to make your reservation. Travel time is approx. 2.5 hours to the airport.

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Speaker Biographies CHIEF IAN CAMPBELL CHIEF IAN CAMPBELL - I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Xalek, my Chieftain name is Sekyu Siyam, and my nickname is Chief Ian Campbell. I was born on the fourth of June, 1973 and am the youngest of sixteen Hereditary Chiefs of the Squamish Nation. My family lineage descends from the Squamish and Musqueam First Nations of the Coast Salish people. As a child, I was immersed in Coast Salish history and culture through our Native languages. My family and elders instructed me to uphold the integrity of our values and embedded a spiritual connection to our sacred lands. I am extensively involved in the protocols, rites, and rituals of my people as an orator, diplomat, negotiator, mentor and resource. It is imperative for me to share the richness of my heritage through: language, ceremonies, song and dance, mythology, traditional games, history, land and resources, and Coast Salish art. After graduating from Secondary school, I studied family systems and counselling in college as well as linguistics at University. I spent many years applying these teachings combined with traditional Native values in working with children, youth, and families. My fundamental value is “You cannot teach respect, you show it”. Empowering and motivating audiences through workshops, lectures, keynote addresses and discussions is my forte. From the age of fourteen, I have conducted innumerable public presentations. On many occasions I have been profiled on television, radio, and newspaper with regard to public relations. Vancouver Television’s First Story profiled me on “A New Generation of Chiefs”, and “Stories of Vancouver”. My latest profile has been on “Song Catchers”. On a personal note, I have an innate ability to absorb traditional knowledge. My repertoire consists of over 200 traditional Native songs, and countless mythological stories. I am featured on many television programs, documentaries, and films echoing the Squamish Nation distinct musical style of the Salish People. “Qatuwas”, “Legends”, “First Story”, and “Culture Shock” are examples of featured broadcastings. Some notable venues I have performed at include: the Inauguration of the General Motors Place, Another Roadside Attraction, the Vancouver Storytelling Festival, Disneyland Tokyo, the Queen’s Golden Jubilee, the 2010 Winter Olympic/Paralympic announcement, the 2006 National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, and the Magic Flute. My journey’s as an Ambassador have taken me abroad to such places as Chile where I participated in a four month International Aboriginal youth exchange. Delegated as the National Aboriginal Youth Representative, I accompanied former National Chief Ovide Mercredi on a tour of five European countries. I am grateful to have represented Canada’s Indigenous People’s through cultural presentations on separate occasions in: Switzerland, England, Taiwan, Japan, and throughout North America. I have extensive experience in manag-ing/organizing cultural groups presenting First Nations heritage Internationally.

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His Holiness, the 33rd Menri Trizin hosted myself along with a delegation from the Squamish Nation as his personal guests for three weeks at the Tibetan New Year Ceremonies, Bon Monastery, H.P. India, and through-out Tibet/China. My personal travel’s have taken me to innumerable other cities in 24 countries. In 1984, at the age of eleven, I participated in a relay run from Vancouver to Los Angeles in honour of the late Jim Thorpe. During times of leisure, I enjoy expeditions in the back country of my traditional territory.

Traversing, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, canoeing and exploring also involve solo’s, fasting, and spiritual cleansing. I am honored to have been the spokesperson and lead singer during a voyage in our traditional dug out cedar canoes to Bella Bella to participate in Qatuwas along with subsequent journeys. The land is an integral component of my wellness. “When you strive for harmony with all of Creation, the rhythms of the natural world are manifested through song and language. You then become an extension of the intricate cycles of change and rejuvenation.” I was appointed to the Vancouver Community College’s Board of Governors and was chosen as a First Nations consultant for the Vancouver Opera. I have been awarded B.C.’s Best and Brightest “Up and Comer’s”, which distinguishes future prominent leaders. I continue to participate in many boards and advisory committees in a diverse array of organizations. As a Hereditary Chief, there is a tacit understanding to advocate for and celebrate our distinct identity. “Our complex societies have endured change over countless millennia, shaped by the bounty of the land. Today, we utilize the best tools available to adapt to our modern environment.” This does not entail being ‘absorbed’ or ‘assimilated’ into mainstream society, it is simply “injunuity”! These are stories of humanity, tenacity, adaptation, and transformation.

HON. NAOMI YAMAMOTO Naomi Yamamoto was re-elected as MLA for North Vancouver-Lonsdale in 2013 and was reappointed the Minister of State for Tourism and Small Business on June 10, 2013. She has served as Minister of Advanced Education, Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations, Minister of State for Small Business and Minister of State for Building Code Renewal. Yamamoto had been the president and owner of Tora Design Group in North Vancouver for 21 years. She also enjoyed working with the business community as chair of the BC Chamber of Commerce, chair of the North Shore Credit Union, and represented the North Vancouver Chamber on Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association Board. She served a six-year term on the board of Capilano College (now Capilano University), with the last three years as chair. She also enjoyed six years as a director of the North Shore Neighbourhood House.

BEN SHERMAN Ben Sherman is a member of the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Nation in South Dakota, USA. He was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Sherman is a founding member of the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance and serves on the Leadership Council. Sherman has been a national leader in the development of American Indian tourism efforts in the United States. He has organized and presided over numerous American Indian tourism development conferences, workshops and trade shows. He started the Native Tourism Alliance, an initiative with interests in creating a viable Indigenous tourism industry in the USA. He is a co-founder of the American Indian/Alaska Native Tourism Association.

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Sherman is a former founding Vice Chairman of Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST). BEST sought to encourage the widespread incorporation of sustainable practices into the core business functions of companies in the travel and tourism industry. Sherman has spoken and written on numerous occasions on the subject of American Indian and Indigenous tourism. He has worked to create and promote a set of values for Indigenous tourism that include cultural preservation, environmental stewardship and community development. Sherman is one of the authors of The Larrakia Declaration, a set of international guiding principles for the development of Indigenous tourism. Contact: World Indigenous Tourism Alliance; P.O. Box 788; Louisville, Colorado 80027 USA [email protected]

JOHNNY EDMONDS Johnny Edmonds is Secretariat Coordinator for the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance (WINTA). He is also a traditional owner in Aotearoa NZ and the Owner/Director of a NZ-based consulting company that specialises in Indigenous economic development. Johnny has held both governance and executive management positions for various Indigenous non-profit organisations for the past 15 years. These include CEO for the Waitangi National Trust, NZ Maori Tourism Council, the Taitokerau Regional Maori Tourism Organisation and the Western Australian Indigenous Tourism Operators Council (WAITOC). Prior to that, Johnny has held statutory and executive management positions in the NZ government with responsibility for managing the crown’s interest in land and the custodianship of Maori taonga (artefacts) in the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Johnny assisted with the drafting of the Larrakia Declaration in Darwin Australia for presentation and adoption by the Pacific Asia Indigenous Tourism Conference 2012. More recently he has been contributing to a PATA project evaluating the human rights record as it relates to Indigenous peoples and communities in touristic areas in the Asia Pacific region in order to assist in producing guidelines for giving practical expression to principles of the Larrakia Declaration.

DR. PETER WILLIAMS Peter Williams is an educator, strategic planner and researcher who directs projects related to tourism destination management. As a strategic planner, he collaborates with government agencies, business associations and communities on issues related to the development, marketing and on-going management of tourism destinations.

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He has worked extensively with AtBC and other support organizations on the development of Aboriginal cultural tourism in BC and elsewhere in Canada. His research has been internationally recognized for its excellence and relevance to the long term prosperity of tourism destinations. Dr. Williams teaches tourism policy and planning courses for academic and professional audiences around the globe. He is a past President and former Chairman of the Board for

the International Travel and Tourism Research Association – an organization dedicated to encouraging excellence in tourism research and planning. He recently served terms as a Governor of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society, and currently is a member of the Board of Directors for the International Association of Scientific Experts in Tourism – a leading international association of tourism professionals.

Frank Verschuren Spanning a 32-year career associated with Canada’s tourism industry, Frank is a Brand Experiences Specialist with the Canadian Tourism Commission in Vancouver, British Columbia. He also manages the CTC’s Canadian Signature Experiences program. As part of the CTC’s Global Marketing Team, Frank works closely with industry partners in identifying export-market ready travel experiences best aligned with the Canada Keep Exploring brand and developing them as CTC marketing assets. These assets are used to support the CTC’s global consumer marketing, media relations and the trade development efforts.

RICHARD PORGES Richard Porges is the Acting Executive Director of Strategy, Policy and Research with Tourism British Columbia, Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation and an Adjunct Professor with the Centre for Tourism Policy and Research, Simon Fraser University. In addition, Richard teaches Tourism Product Development and Innovation at the Management Centre in Innsbruck, Austria. Responsibilities of the Strategy, Policy and Research unit include development and implementation of the Provincial Government’s Tourism Strategy, support and evaluation of Tourism British Columbia’s marketing and product development programs, corporate strategic planning and forecasting and tracking tourism industry performance.

BEVERLEY O’NEIL A citizen of the Ktunaxa Nation, Beverley O’Neil, for more than 20 years, has worked to build First Nations through community economic development, first at the Ktunaxa Nation Council as the Director of Economic Development, and then in 1994 when she launched the first of her two businesses, O’Neil Marketing & Consulting followed by Numa Communications Ltd. Through this period, she served many years on provincial and regional advisory boards and committees for Aboriginal economic development including the B.C. Native Economic Development Advisory Board on the First Citizens Fund, as well as industry sectors like tourism, agriculture and wine, and was a founder of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC).

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She has helped Aboriginal communities and businesses build their tourism program, marketing plans and image through strategic planning, focus group coordination, training programs, and design of promotional materials, and media relations. O’Neil has been a guest speaker at national and international events speaking on community economic development, marketing, tourism, hospitality, home-based business, social responsibility, structuring for corporate development and governance.She has also been an instructor on Aboriginal tourism and culture for the Native Education Col-lege and SFU Aboriginal tourism program, and has developed and delivered courses for the Yukon Government, and an international tourism program with the Amerindians in South America’s Guy-ana. Beverley was also a guest expert on tourism on the CBC Fortune Hunters program in 2009.She has also been a columnist for BC and national Aboriginal publications (newspaper and maga-zines), and a guest writer on feature stories in mainstream publications. Through Numa Commu-nications Ltd., O’Neil continues working in media relations providing media training, design and printing services, and developing media and communications strategies.

ANNA POLLOCK Anna Pollock has over 35 years experience as a consultant, strategist, speaker, and change agent. Described as an irrepressibly curious “renaissance woman”, her strength derives from an ability to dig beneath surface trends to find and make sense of the real drivers of change combined with a creative capacity to develop innovative responses. She enjoys dual Canadian and British citizenship having worked in each country for over 15 years and is now a much sought after speaker internationally, focusing on the deep changes affecting tourism and community development. While residing in Canada she undertook seminal work in human resource development, sustainable tourism, health tourism and adventure travel and received The Visionary of the Year Award from the tourism industry in western Canada in recognition of her contribution to thought leadership. In the late 1990s, she conceived and developed the first destination IT strategy based on the Internet and later acted as CEO of a UK-based software company that developed a Destination Management System and became recognized by the UK government as “best of breed”. Three years ago, in anticipation of the need by the tourism industry to reduce its carbon footprint, Anna created The Icarus Foundation a not-for-profit agency formed to assist the Canadian tourism industry constructively address climate change and she has quickly become recognized as an innovative and creative thought leader, assisting destinations and companies face up to the challenges of growth and resource dependency.

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Saddened by the hesitancy with which mainstream tourism approached the need to reduce its environmental impact and heartened by research that shows customers might be changing faster than suppliers, Anna is developing the concept of Conscious.Travel as a movement that integrates and enhances integrates the creative thinking emerging from a diverse range of interests within tourism including ecotourism, responsible tourism, adventure travel, tourism philanthropy, slow tourism, tourism 2.0, green travel, ethical tourism, community-based tourism, and indigenous tourism. Conscious.Travel is a movement and an e-learning leadership program designed to develop fully conscious change agents within the tourism community.

MARC TELIO MARC TELIO’S love affair with international travel started in his early twenties. After receiving an Economics diploma from his home-town university in Montréal, he set out to explore Asia, Australia and Africa and parts of Europe. His travels continued for almost four years as he explored the globe.In 1994 Marc returned to Canada, moved to Vancouver and, at the age of 24, opened Entrée Canada. The mission was to create the top travel company in Canada, featuring unique itineraries, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and the most exotic Canadian destinations one could offer to a luxury traveler. In 2005 he acquired the top destination management company in Alaska and created Entrée Alaska, with the same mission of operating only the finest customized tours across Alaska. Today Entrée Canada and Entrée Alaska (combined as Entrée Destinations) employ 20 talented staff members and they continue to realize Marc’s vision of being the undisputed leader of unique (and usually luxurious) travel experiences throughout the region. Marc’s team has served the highest-profile guests that exist, among them heads of state, celebrities and corporate leaders. Entrée Destinations is the preferred partner for Virtuoso (a leading consortia of luxury travel agents and vendors), American Express Platinum & Centurion and the top tour operators and travel agents on the planet; the A-List of travel. His team is called upon to perform the impossible, to create over-the-top experiences and to showcase the best that Canada and Alaska has to offer…often with no budget and a trip that stretches as far as Marc’s imagination will allow. They engineer and deliver exceptional experiences and continue to be the choice for the world’s top echelon of travellers.Marc lives in Vancouver with his wife Karen and their children Jack and Sofia, who he hopes will one day build on his vision of showcasing Canada and Alaska to the world.

KEVIN ESHKAWKOGAN Kevin Eshkawkogan is Chief Executive Officer of the Great Spirit Circle Trail Inc. and Great Spirit Circle Trail Touring Company. These initiatives has been successful in growing the tourism industry in the Manitoulin Island - Sagamok area of Northern Ontario. Kevin has been a key component in developing the European markets on behalf of the GSCT. Since 2003, he has participated in several trade missions, trade shows, and dance performances in various international venues. Kevin has earned a diploma in Business-Accounting from Canadore College, is currently working towards completing the Certified General Accountants program and a degree in Political Science from York University. He is also a graduate from the University of Waterloo Economic Development Program and Confederation College Small Business Counseling Program. He has an extensive background in business development, business management and marketing. Kevin has been previously employed as a Business Development Officer at the Waubetek Business Development Corporation, an Aboriginal Financial Institution that provides business financing, delivery of the Aboriginal Business Canada program and other business advisory services to Aboriginal entrepreneurs and 27 First Nations throughout northeastern Ontario.

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In his 4 years of work with Waubetek, he has helped assist with the investment of over 3 Page 19

million dollars in over 100 Aboriginal businesses to help them expand or become operational. He has been instrumental in assisting with several major community development projects. Kevin also operates KSK Business Solutions also opened Spirit Island Adventures in 2012, with his partner, Melissa. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and a grass dancer on the powwow circuit who enjoys participating in traditional powwows throughout Manitoulin Island. He believes strongly that economic and business developments are the solutions to the many issues that face Aboriginal people today. Kevin serves on the executive of ATMC.

DAN MOORE Dan Moore is the CEO of the travel-industry consultancy, Pandion. An educator since the 90’s and an entrepreneur most of his life, Dan was instrumental in the formation and rapid growth of the travel company EverGreen Escapes, based in Seattle Washington. With 7 years under Dan’s leadership, EverGreen Escapes went from a small start-up to the region’s preeminent travel company, and is respected worldwide by peers and clients. Dan has extensive experience designing cutting edge itineraries and travel products, and applying innovative techniques to market these products. His operations knowledge, including guide training, permitting, risk-management, staff management, and more, is what differentiates Pandion from other consultancies. Dan has participated in 6 Adventure Travel World Summits, learning best practices and industry trends from travel industry leaders from around the globe, and has attended numerous travel trade shows. He brings this big picture, and industry-wide perspective to his clients. Dan sits on several non-profit boards: he represents the Adventure & Recreation segment on the board of the Washington Tourism Alliance and was a co-chair of the Alliance’s marketing committee; he sits on the board of community-based travel early adopters, Crooked Trails; and is Board President for the youth focused Terra-Forma Education. Finally, Dan is on the faculty for Adventure EDU, a part of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. At the heart of his work is a passion for sustainable business, and the concept that we can have a profound impact on the world due to our actions.

JUSTIN FERBEY Justin Ferbey is the current Chief Executive Officer of the Carcross Tagish Management Corporation. As a previous Federal fiscal advisor, management head of a self-governing First Nation and now current CEO he has shown leadership while making risk management decisions across political, legal, and business environments of increasing importance. He was born and raised in the Yukon and is a citizen of the Carcross Tagish First Nation.

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He holds a bachelor degree in neuroscience and a MBA from the University of Liverpool. As well as being an Action Canada fellow and an alumni of the US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program, his efforts resulted in the 2013 Innovator of the Year award from the Yukon’s Tourism Industry Association and was a recipient of Cando’s National Economic Developer, and Community Development Corporation recognition awards and a finalist in the Tourism Industry

Association of Canada’s Innovator of the Year award. this past year. Justin is also the President of Skookum Jim’s Friendship Centre, Aboriginal Sports Circle, and a director on Yukon Energy Corporation, Yukon First Nation Tourism and Culture Association and has written occasional editorials for the Globe and Mail. During the conference he will speak of his community’s economic vision.

RIA LETCHER Ria Letcher was born in Fort Simpson and raised in Wrigley by her grandparents who gave her a connection with her language, culture and traditional values. Ria and her husband have been owner operators of North Nahanni Naturalist Lodge for the past seventeen years. As business people they share their Aboriginal culture and heritage as the central focus of their operations and marketing.  Over the years, they have collaborated with Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment, NWT Tourism and the Canadian Tourism Commission in the marketing of their business throughout Canada, America and internationally.  Through these experiences, Ria has gained great insight and knowledge of the tourism industry and the challenges currently faced by the industry in the north. She is the Co-chair for the Aboriginal Tourism Champions Advisory Council who’s role is advise the government of the Northwest Territories as they move forward in supporting the development of Aboriginal Tourism in the north.

VIRGINIA SALAZAR-HALFMOON VIRGINIA SALAZAR-HALFMOON is from the Pueblo of Santa Clara in New Mexico and has extensive experience in public lands tourism. She retired from the National Park Service, (NPS) in December 2013, with 37 years of service. Her NPS career included positions as Park Curator, Regional Curator and Vanishing Treasures Program Manager. Virginia began work with AIANTA in March 2013 as the Public Lands Partnership Coordinator and has worked to continue and establish new partnerships and opportunities with land managing agencies and organizations. Many efforts to include authentic tribal voices in public lands are in progress as a result of the book, “American Indians and the Civil War”. Virginia has a BA in Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Psychology. She attended the School of American Research completing Master’s Degree work in Curating Native American Museum Collections, 1981 and completed a Pottery Conservation Internship, 1982. In 2006, she completed the USDI Graduate Executive Potential Program. She is married to Otis Halfmoon, Tribal Liaison for the NPS, National Trails Program. Her contact information is [email protected] or [email protected]. The AIANTA mailing address is 2401 12th St. NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104.

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KEITH HENRY Keith Henry is a Métis person born in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Mr. Henry achieved a B.Ed. from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995. Mr. Henry began his career in 1995 with teaching positions and has become well known for his strategic administrative and negotiations skills. Since 1998 Mr. Henry has led numerous provincial, federal and industry negotiations on a variety of issues. He has been directly responsible for financial administration of a number of Aboriginal non-profits and has a proven track record of success. Mr. Henry started his own consulting company in October 2008 and is the President and CEO of KCD Consulting Incorporated that specializes in human resource development, economic development, project delivery, strategic planning, negotiations, and leadership development. Today Mr. Henry has worked or continues to work with several clients including the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia, Treaty 8 Tribal Association, Prophet River First Nations, Halfway River First Nations, Alexis Creek Indian Band, Kelly Lake Métis Settlement Society, Tl’azt’en Nation, plus several others. Keith volunteers time in the Aboriginal community and maintains several board positions including the former President of the Industry Council for Aboriginal Business, current chair of the Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Circle, current Chair for the Native Education College, current member of the Minister’s Council on Tourism, current member of the Vancouver Board of Trade’s Aboriginal Opportunities Committee, member of the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance, and current President of the BC Métis Federation.

PETER HARRISON Peter Harrison has been with Tourism British Columbia, part of the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation for the past eighteen years and during that time has held various positions. He is currently the Director of Partnership Marketing where he is responsible for regional, community and aboriginal tourism programs. Before joining government, Peter had ten years of private sector packaged goods marketing experience where he resided in Winnipeg, Toronto and Vancouver. Peter has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brandon University and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Manitoba. Peter lives in North Saanich with his wife and three children.

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ERIC MAGNUSON Eric Magnuson is the BC Regional Director General, for Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada (AANDC). Prior to coming to the federal public service, Eric served over twenty-five years with the Yukon Government, most recently as the Assistant Deputy Minister responsible for Community Development. Eric has had a lifelong passion for community, in both his personal and professional life. He has served in many capacities in numerous volunteer organizations and fosters a strong commitment to community wellbeing and leadership. Eric has a degree in Business Administration from the British Columbia Open University and in Public Sector Management from the University of Victoria.

HON. ALYSSA HAYDEN Hon Alyssa Hayden MLC was initially elected to the Western Australian Government as a Member for the East Metropolitan Region in the Legislative Council on 6 September 2008 and is currently serving her second term in the West Australian Government, being re-elected on 9 March 2013. Alyssa holds the positions of Deputy Chair of Committees; Member Parliamentary Services Committee; Chair Finance Commerce & Development Committee; Parliamentary Secretary to the Deputy Premier; Minister for Health; Training and Workforce Development and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Tourism. She has 15 years’ experience running a medium to small business, employing up to 34 staff. She is a strong supporter of the Swan Chamber of Commerce and holds a deep passion for the east metropolitan region, Alyssa has been a committee member for the Swan Business Awards Committee for over 17 years and now Chairs this committee. Alyssa aims to reduce red tape for small business and brings her small business experience to Parliament, to ensure business is enhanced by government, not restricted. Alyssa has a passion to encourage tourism and promote Western Australia to to attract international and interstate travel; as well as encourage West Australians to “Holiday at Home”

GLENDYRR FICK Glendyrr Fick is a Tourism Development Consultant with a passion for Community Tourism. She is a daughter from the Griqua, Khoi -San Tribe, and has strong ties with local communities in general. She joined the Knysn Tourism team in 2001, where she managed Tourism Development Projects under the auspices of this Destination Marketing Organization. She works with organizations like Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, South Cape Land Claims, Open Africa Route Development, and in recent years IIPT (International Institute for Peace through Tourism).

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Her work includes projects like, Knysna Living Local (Marketing Initiative for local Community Tourism Initiatives), the Mothers of Creation Rural Tourism Route which she established through her collaboration with South Cape Land Claims, Open Africa and FTTSA. Glendyrr joined the IIPT in 2011, after meeting the president, Louis D’ Amore. She introduced him to several of her tourism initiatives, including the Green Chefs Garden Route program; as a result the IIPT endorsed the program, and presented it at the most recent UNWTO General Assembly in Zambia/Zimbabwe. Glendyrr holds a Bachelor in Development Studies from UNISA and a Post Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management from the West Flanders Economic Institute (Belgium). Her dream is to extend the Green Chefs Initiative across National Parks throughout the world, and to connect indigenous peoples as a result of this. Contact Details: E: [email protected]; www.knysnalivinglocal.co.za and www.openafrica.org

MIHAELA KIRCHEVA Mihaela KIRCHEVA was born in 1978 in Bulgaria, Eastern Europe. She graduated from the University of Economics in Varna, Bulgaria with a Bachelor in International tourism. She was also trained ecotourism, programming in the EU, SEO and marketing in social media, and sustainable tourism management. Mihaela has a solid background in the tourism field, especially in rural and remote areas. Since 2005 she devoted herself on promoting the Eastern Rhodopes mountains in Bulgaria as a destination for nature and adventure holidays and acquired broad experience in destination management, business planning and community-based economy development. She consulted local authorities in strategical tourism plannings, designed & managed participations at large exhibitions, coordinated publishing and distribution of guidebooks and maps, developed content for travel web pages and blogs. Currently she is the regional sustainable tourism manager for Bulgaria at ARK Natuurontwikkeling and is running a nature tours & consulting company. Mihaela’s fluent in English, French and Russian. In her free time, she loves to find new places to explore with her two daughters. Her special interests are photography, music and nature.

MAURICIO MIRAMONTES Mauricio MIRAMONTES has two passions: nature and people. He has dedicated 14 years to bring together both of his passions through ecotourism and experiential environmental education in protected areas in collaboration with rural and indigenous communities. His work has received 4 national awards and has been shared in 5 countries.

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After studying biology, in 2007, he moved to Chiapas and co-founded La Mano del Mono (Monkey’s Hand), to bring target groups, such as corporations and academic groups, to protected areas and engage them in conservation and local development through ecotourism and experiential learning. This model has been replicated in 4 protected areas, an he has collaborated to strengthen the development of ecotourism products and their marketing strategies in more than 50 projects in indigenous communities at local and regional level.

The organization leaded by Mauricio, has received national awards as the best project to manage natural resources (2008), the best program to promote culture in protected areas (2009), the best Nature Tourism Product in Mexico (2011), and the top-3 most impactful social start-ups (2013). He has shared his experiences in countries like Spain, Ghana, Brazil, Peru and Germany. Mauricio enjoys living and sharing both of his passions: nature and people. He can be contacted at [email protected]

SANDRA WHITE Sandra WHITE is a member of the Siksika Nation. She has been active in the development of Aboriginal tourism in Canada for the past 25 years. Sandra served on the Board for the Canadian Tourism Commission. She is also past Chair of Aboriginal Tourism Team Canada and the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC. Sandra was the coordinator and instructor for the Aboriginal Tourism Program at the Native Education College. During this period, she successfully restructured the tourism program for accreditation in the BC University/College tourism education system. She was also involved in the development of FirstHost from concept to design to delivery. FirstHost is a unique one-day service excellence training program. Participants learn the frontline skills required to provide exemplary service to guests. FirstHost training emphasizes the host’s obligation to provide service excellence and the guest’s responsibility to be respectful of the culture and place they are visiting. Sandra continues designing training programs which meet the unique needs of Aboriginal people and communities. She recently designed and delivered a two day Interpreter Skills workshop for Aboriginal cultural tourism businesses. Her broad tourism business experience includes strategic planning, policy development, community development and skills training. Sandra has worked with numerous Aboriginal communities throughout Canada.

PATRICK LUCAS Patrick Lucas is a registered professional planner specializing in First Nations community development, land use planning, recreation and tourism. Patrick earned his degree in Environmental Studies at the University of Northern BC where he discovered his love for mountain biking. Immediately following graduation Patrick left Canada and spent the next three years travelling and working in Asia as an English teacher and as a volunteer for CUSO Canada in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It was this experience, working with indigenous communities in the highlands near the border of China that he discovered his passion for Aboriginal land rights and sustainable development. Upon returning to Canada he took a position with David Nairne + Associates, an award winning planning and architecture firm and has worked with First Nation communities throughout western Canada in community planning, economic development and tourism. Patrick is an avid and passionate mountain biker and strongly believes that mountain biking can be a means for bringing communities together.

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TRINA MATHER-SIMARD Trina Mather-Simard is a proud member of both Curve Lake First Nation and the Urban Aboriginal community of Ottawa. Currently President and majority partner in successful Aboriginal Tourism Company operating Canada’s FIRST truly urban Aboriginal cultural tourism experience “Aboriginal Experiences in the Heart of Ottawa”. With our own tourism product established in both Domestic and National markets, Trina’s passion now lies with offering her experience and skills to help our communities’ succeed in this challenging but rewarding industry. Over the past twelve years, Trina has developed and managed all areas of Turtle Island Tourism Co. which has featured the attraction “Aboriginal Experiences” since 2000. “Aboriginal Experiences” is a seasonal Aboriginal attraction located just behind Parliament Hill, offering interactive experiences of traditional foods, dance and other artistic traditions. Although she oversaw all areas of her business, my primary focus was on developing our product’s “market-readiness” and strategic marketing direction for International and Domestic markets. Since 1998, the business has grown from offering small, customized programs to seasonal attraction employing 16 Aboriginal people and contributing more than 5.5 million to the local Aboriginal economy. In building the business, the most valuable opportunity Trina feels she had was to attend numerous National and International Tourism Trade shows and events. Through this, she has developed a unique first hand perspective of the travel industry’s expectations in relation to an Aboriginal cultural experience. Trina serves on the executive of ATMC.

STEVE OLLERENSHAW Steve ollerenshaw has an extensive academic and professional background including corporate and project management, VET compliance and workforce development. His experience extends across a range of industries including retail, manufacturing, education, sport and tourism and traverses Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands. Steve has held a number of board positions including: Queensland Studies Authority, Athletics NSW, Luge Australia, as well as various charities.Steve is currently managing the national Workforce Futures Program.

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ROBERT TAYLOR Robert Taylor has spent the last 25 years in the hospitality industry as a qualified chef he became executive chef for ALH in 1999, where he had a number of his recipes published in publications such as Table Magazine. In 2000 Robert and his partner went into hospitality management and he is currently the Managing Director of Forté hospitality a role he has been in for the past 12 years. This company is a specialized property management group that encompasses accommodation and Food and Beverage operations in Margaret River, Busselton, Mandurah and now diversified into Worker camps with the first one being in Karratha. Robert has proven himself to be a successful businessman in his own right overseeing a business with a multimillion dollar turnover. Robert oversees the companies’ financials including all forecasts and budgets and is responsible for ensuring the development supervision of the staff within the business. Robert is a keen contributor to the industry and has been a WAITOC board member for the past 2 years and for the last year has been the treasurer and chairman of the FARM (Finance and Risk Management) committee for WAITOC.

SUZANNE DENBAK Suzanne Denbak, principal and lead consultant of Cadence Strategies, has more than 20 years experience nationally and internationally in community tourism, sustainable tourism experience development, tourism business feasibility assessment and marketing/sales strategies.  She has particular expertise working with communities, with economic development/tourism organizations and with indigenous peoples. Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA from the University of Toronto and is an award winning Chartered Accountant. She has held senior positions in the Canadian tourism industry including Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre and President and CEO of Tourism Whistler where she was responsible for international marketing of Canada’s premier mountain resort. Suzanne established her own consultancy in 2003 and over the last 11 years has worked throughout North America in small and large communities facilitating dialogue leading to the development and implementation of strategic tourism plans that address unique selling proposition, target markets, experience development opportunities and marketing/sales strategies with the objective of growing the tourism economy sustainably and in keeping with local values.  Her work also includes services to Destination Marketing Organizations including assisting with their establishment, their strategic planning and providing solutions for funding and effective governance. As an Associate Consultant with the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC (AtBC), Suzanne works extensively with First Nations communities in British Columbia reviewing authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism opportunities, building community support and providing strategic planning, capacity building and business feasibility services. She is currently leading the collaborative development of regional Aboriginal cultural tourism strategies for each of the six tourism regions within the Province.

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CHRIS BOTTRILL Chris Bottrill is the Dean of Global and Community Studies at Capilano University, North Vancouver. Chris has a long history of involvement in tourism and indigenous education, land claims, and community development. Of note, he has worked on land claims and economic development projects for the Sliammon and Gingolx Nations and the Tainui Maori Trust Board. He has also been involved in many community development projects featuring indigenous tourism. Of note, he has headed up multi-year projects in Paraguay and Vietnam where the central focus has been on generating community based tourism that retains and revitalizes local indigenous culture. Currently Chris is a research partner in the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) project addressing indigenous tourism and human rights. At Capilano University Chris is an executive member of the ten-partner Coastal Corridor Consortium that oversees implementation of the Ministry of Advanced Education Aboriginal Service Plan. This plan is focused on access and retention of aboriginal learners in post secondary education. Through this partnership three programs in culture and language revitalization have been created along with new partnerships in tourism and resource management education. Chris has presented on tourism topics at conferences in Finland, Canada, USA, China, Russia, and Malaysia.

JEFF MUNTIFERING Jeff Muntifering is a native of Minnesota, USA. He received a BA diploma in Biology and Environmental Studies from St. John’s University, Minnesota in 1999 and a Master’s degree from the University of Cape Town in 2004. He has spent nearly all of the past 14 years teaching and conducting applied socio-ecological research out of remote field stations around the world, mainly within the remote communal lands of northwestern Namibia. Working closely with local partners, particularly a local conservation organization Save the Rhino Trust (SRT), he focuses primarily on developing and promoting approaches that combine science and traditional knowledge systems into conservation policy and practice from local community-based natural resource management to national-level conservation strategies. He has also conducted field research in Alaska, Canada, Minnesota, Ecuador, Honduras, South Africa and China focusing mainly on large carnivore conservation and restoration. In 2008 he was employed as a conservation biologist at the Minnesota Zoo continues his work in Namibia as SRT’s Science Adviser.

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He is currently working towards a Ph.D. that aims to develop a quantitative model to finetune tourism as a rhino conservation tool based on over a decade of first-hand experience and applied interdisciplinary research in northwest Namibia.

TIM McGRADY Tim McGrady is the General Manager of Spirit Bear Lodge. He brings over twenty years of diverse experience in the tourism industry.  After completing a degree in biochemistry at the University of British Columbia in 1990, Tim began guiding sea kayak expeditions moving between Baja, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez in the winter and the west coast of Vancouver Island in the summer. He also led month long sailing, hiking and sea kayak expeditions for the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) in Mexico, Alaska and coastal BC. After a brief stint on faculty in the Tourism Department of North Island College on Vancouver Island, Tim began working at Knight Inlet Lodge, leading bear viewing and whale watching excursions. While at Knight Inlet Lodge he helped establish the Commercial Bear Viewing Association (CBVA) in collaboration with a number of other top bear viewing companies in BC. After completing a Masters degree in Leadership from Royal Roads University in Victoria, BC in 2007, Tim took a hiatus from the tourism industry to work as a leadership development consultant in Latin America. Now back home in BC, Tim is looking forward to working with the Spirit Bear Lodge team and the Kitasoo/Xaixais community in Klemtu to continue building Spirit Bear Lodge into a world class international tourism destination. In the offseason, Tim lives with his wife Kelli and two boys Connor and Kai in Comox.

CRAIG BROWN Craig Brown has over 25 years in print media and digital media, as a publisher of magazines, business periodicals & community newspapers where he managed agency business & local sales programs in excess of $2,500,000 annually, then held the position of West Kelowna Chamber of Commerce President in 2012. In the last 3 years he has extensively trained in digital media and loves making client relations a key priority.

CHRIS SEVERS Chris Severs has over 16 years of direct digital sales, management and analytics experience. He has been with Postmedia for 9 years managing integrated print, digital, social, native content and video programs with many of Metro Vancouver’s largest ad agencies, clients and marketing teams, including 5 years with mobile technologies.  His most current focus at Postmedia was working with Real Estate, Travel/Tourism and Retail based clients.  Chris graduated from UBC’s Certificate in Internet Marketing Program, providing University accreditation as a Digital Strategist, as well as

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completing four programs with the Internet Advertising Bureau of Canada’s Digital Masters Certificate Program.  He spent 2 years in the radio industry and 4 years in the Public Communications industry, and speaks at many events on the Digital Media industry.

GEOFF GREENWELL Geoff Greenwell B.Ed (Hons), MBA, CEO of 2G Group has been working globally as a facilitator and strategic planner for over 25 years. Geoff came to Canada in 1992 and since that time has worked extensively for Governments, Aboriginal Groups, NGO’s and Private Sector organizations as a business advisor, negotiator and facilitator. He is also a two-term municipal councillor in the District of Lake Country (British Columbia) and chairs the district’s affordable housing and economic development committees. Prior to coming to Canada Geoff worked for ten years in the Middle East, Africa, South East Asia and South America as a senior negotiator for multi-national energy companies. Geoff formed 2G Group in 2001 and works collaboratively with a team of expert partners who offer a variety of services to government, aboriginal and corporate clients. The team’s areas of expertise include: facilitation, strategic planning, corporate visioning, marketing, business planning, events management, negotiating and mediation, project financing and land use planning. 2G Group has helped structure numerous joint ventures and partnerships between private sector and Aboriginal groups since inception in 2001. The 2G Group offers their services globally and some recent notable clients include: Governments of New Brunswick, NWT and Nunavut, Northern Savings and Credit Union, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Lloyd & Partners Limited, Atla Energy Group, Alterna Energy, Syntaris Power, Nigaani Air of Ontario, Okanagan Nation Alliance, Scuka Enterprises, Aboriginal Business Quest, Niche Media Group and Coast Architectural Group. The 2G team has assisted all of these clients with their respective goals and helped them make informed decisions and achieve critical milestones within their organizations.

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NOTES: _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

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