Tourism Marketing Committee

Amy Nunn is the VP of Sales and Marketing for Prestige Hotels and Resorts where she leads the team of wholesale, conference, and corporate sales directors for the company’s 15 locations across BC which include the Northern BC properties of Prince Rupert, Smithers, and Prince George.

In her role, she directs the development of all marketing and branding materials including their online presence, as well as digital, print, social media, and traditional marketing efforts. Amy began her career after earning a Communication Studies Degree with a focus on Journalism Arts from the University of Calgary. After moving back to her home province of Saskatchewan, she held positions as an Account Manager for advertising agencies before taking on the role of Director of Leisure Marketing at Tourism Saskatoon. In 2016 Amy moved to the Okanagan Valley with her young family in search of the BC lifestyle. She feels fortunate to be a part of the thriving tourism industry in the province, still finds herself looking at the destination through the awe-inspired eyes of a tourist and is proud to contribute to the industry’s success in her role on DBC’s Tourism Marketing Committee. Communication Studies Degree with a focus on Journalism Arts from the University of Calgary. After moving back to her home province of Saskatchewan, she held positions as an Account Manager for advertising agencies before taking on the role of Director of Leisure Marketing at Tourism Saskatoon. In 2016 Amy moved to the Okanagan Valley with her young family in search of the BC lifestyle. She feels fortunate to be a part of the thriving tourism industry in the province, still finds herself looking at the destination through the awe-inspired eyes of a tourist and is proud to contribute to the industry’s success in her role on DBC’s Tourism Marketing Committee.

Amy has a strong passion for rural tourism and economic development. Amy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with majors in Project Management and Operations Management.

Entering tourism as the Marketing Manager for Gold Country Communities Society, Amy wrote and successfully implemented the Gold Country GeoTourism program, a first in British Columbia, encompassing parts of the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Vancouver, Coast & Mountains and Thompson Okanagan. Since joining the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Amy has become very familiar with all aspects of destination management, leading award-winning programs such as the Gold Rush Trail and Cariboo Reputation Recovery collaboratives. Amy believes rural British Columbia holds untapped potential and unlimited opportunities for excellence.

Angeline Chew, affectionately known as Ange (pronounced Angie) is a seasoned marketing professional with over two decades of experience in the fields of marketing and media relations.

Currently holding the position of Executive Director at Discover Surrey, the official destination management organization for Surrey, Ange is the driving force behind the city's vibrant tourism landscape. Ange's professional journey weaves through an eclectic mix of industries, from biotech to hospitality. Since 1998, she has carved her niche in the tourism and destination marketing sectors, leaving an indelible mark on renowned entities such as Canada 3000 Holidays, Intrawest Central Reservations, Tourism Richmond (during the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver), and Tourism Vernon, before landing at the helm of Discover Surrey. Her passion and expertise truly come to life in the realm of destination development, with a particular emphasis on the culinary sector. Over the years, Ange has honed her skills in crafting and executing marketing campaign strategies that not only boost the city's profile but also generate substantial economic impact for stakeholders and tourism partners. As a destination management professional, Ange collaborates with partners to curate and bring to life new tourism experiences, captivating both visitors and media alike. Her extensive network of long-standing partnerships and media relations has propelled Surrey's tourism offerings onto the national stage, earning the city well-deserved acclaim. Beyond her professional pursuits, Ange is a Surrey enthusiast through and through. Living, working, and playing in Surrey, she embraces the city's vibrant lifestyle. An avid foodie, urban cyclist, and paddleboarder, Ange brings her energetic spirit to both her professional and personal spheres. With a wealth of experience, a knack for fostering collaborations, and a genuine love for Surrey, Ange continues to shape the narrative of Discover Surrey, leaving an indelible mark on the destination management landscape.

Brian Cant is Vice President, Business Impact & Engagement for 4VI, a social enterprise created to ensure that travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island – forever.

Formerly, Brian worked as Director, Communications & Engagement for the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority, a community-based not-for-profit that is committed to sustainable stewardship of Victoria’s working harbour. Brian has worked in communications for more than 15 years developing and executing strategies to meet marketing and communications goals, conducting media research and outreach, and generally doing all that he can to ensure partners and stakeholders have what they need to understand organizational decisions and plans. Inspired by his summer job guiding visitors through the underground mine at the Rossland Museum in the Kootenays, his career has focused on the tourism industry; His career has also included stints working with both Destination Greater Victoria, Destination British Columbia, and tartanbond (formerly Tartan Group). He is a proud graduate of the Gustavson School of Business MBA program and holds a BA in History and Geography and a Diploma in Public Relations from the University of Victoria. Brian Cant is Past President of the UVic Alumni Association Board of Directors. Growing up in Rossland, BC, he was first put on skis by his dad at the age of 18 months and barely looked back or slowed down. He managed to have his own daughter on skis around the same time, to somewhat mixed results.

Chris is the owner-operator of the boutique Cloudside Hotel in Nelson. He helped found the Nelson-Kootenay Lake DMO and is past chair, currently back for his second term as a director.

Before immigrating from the UK in 2006 his career was in marketing and brand management for large corporates. Chris grew up in a small village in Cheshire, attended the University of Birmingham and then Kingston Business School, moved to the tumult of London for work and has now come full circle to the small, but definitely not sleepy, community of Nelson in the Kootenay Rockies.

Chris Shauf is a senior brand, marketing, and communication leader with extensive experience in tourism, arts and culture, economic development, and major national and international events including the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays.

Chris has experience working in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors in a variety of industries, with a uniting thread of building strong and revered brands for the projects, organizations, and communities he’s worked for. Currently, Chris works with Tourism Kelowna leading the marketing and communication team for one of BC’s and Canada’s top destinations. His work focusses on generating strong economic impact for the local business community and enhancing the quality of life for residents. Standout career experiences include establishing the foundational brand for Canada’s newest collecting modern art gallery, brand renewal strategies for some of Western Canada’s largest brands, overhauling online services and digital citizen engagement programs, and orchestrating a year-long, provincewide celebration that resulted in incredible participation and brand lift. Chris’ career has taken him across Canada from coast to coast to coast, and even to Ancient Olympia. As a senior leader on the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays team, Chris was fortunate to witness the lighting of the Olympic Flame in the Temple of Hera in person, and then travel with the Olympic Flame across Canada. Chris visited over 1,000 communities and places of interest during the 106-day relay, including an overnight stop at a Canadian Forces Station in Alert, Nunavut – the northernmost permanently inhabited place in the world. Chris’ volunteer work includes past chair of the Saskatoon Library Board of Trustees; director on the University of Regina Board of Governors, Senate and Executive of Council; trustee on the Royal Saskatchewan Museum Board, and past president and board member of the International Association of Business Communicators and Canadian Public Relations Society chapters. He has a business degree from the University of Regina and is accredited with both the International Association of Business Communicators and the Canadian Public Relations Society. Personal interests include nature and the outdoors; sports like volleyball and tennis; and arts, music, and cultural experiences. In fact, Chris has lugged a tuba across eight European countries (and at every stop wondered why he didn’t take up the piccolo). He still struggles to pack light when travelling.

As the Chief Executive Officer of the Northern BC Tourism Association, Clint works with the board and leads the team at Northern BC Tourism to achieve the overall vision and mission for the organization.

He is a well-respected member of the tourism industry and is acknowledged industry wide as a leader and innovator in new marketing technologies. With over 15 years’ experience in the tourism industry, Clint has been devoted to building the tourism industry in northern BC and has successfully contributed by leading and managing major tourism marketing and development programs at the provincial, regional, and community level. A longtime resident of northern BC, Clint continues to advocate for the region and is an active member of the community in Prince George. Appointed to the Ministers Tourism Engagement Council and a standing member of the Provincial Tourism Marketing Committee, he continues to spend time volunteering and sitting on industry related committees. As an emerging business leader in northern BC, Clint earned the acknowledgement as one of Prince George’s Top 40 Under 40. Clint holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from the University of Northern British Columbia and has also held positions in the Brewing Industry and Economic Development.

Dixit Talwar leads the digital marketing and analytics practice at Northland Properties with a diverse catalog of 60+ hotels across Canada, US, England, Scotland & Ireland, plus multiple restaurant brands.

As a revenue marketing practitioner with over 10 years of hands-on experience in data-driven marketing strategies and tactics, Dixit leverages hotel revenue management, electronic distribution, and performance marketing expertise aimed at driving direct-digital revenues. He is a frequent collaborator with multiple industry partners providing insights into their product portfolio and calibrating them for enterprise clients within the travel & hospitality vertical.

Ellen Walker-Matthews has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality, travel, and tourism industry, including the last 12 with TOTA in various capacities, including Vice President of Stewardship, Senior Vice President and, for the past year, Chief Executive Officer.

She has spearheaded and played a significant role in key initiatives including Biosphere Certification, GreenStep Certification, and Green Destination Top 100; overseeing the Tourism Resiliency Program; development and implementation of regional tourism strategies; and sales, marketing, and business plans.

Ian Jenkins is responsible for all aspects of sales, marketing and property management at SilverStar Mountain Resort as the Director of Sales, Marketing and Accommodation and as both winter and summer business grows into the future.

Ian is involved in many aspects of the travel industry in the Okanagan and advises with the Tourism commission for City of Vernon as well as a board member of the newly formed Silver star resort association. Ian has been involved in the resort business for the last 27 years, with previous roles at Whistler Blackcomb as the GM of sales and Vail Resorts in Colorado as the Director of International Sales and marketing. Ian has a deep passion for the outdoor travel industry and how providing outstanding experiences along with great marketing, can keep guests coming back year over year.

Jayson’s career has been focussed in the outdoor and tourism industries beginning as the Marketing Manager for Whistler Mountain after graduating from SFU with a BBA and from Humber College with a Degree in Ski Area Management.

From there he spent time in Europe in Merchant Banking before returning home to Whistler to enter the outdoor tourism industry proper, opening a retail outdoor store and founding a Mtn Guiding business. He joined Arc’teryx Equipment as VP Sales and Marketing and as a partner where the company grew to a leading worldwide outdoor clothing and equipment brand. The company was sold in 2001 and he returned to his retail businesses back in Whistler and Squamish in time for the Olympics. He then was elected to Council in Whistler serving a term and was the Municipality representative on the Whistler Tourism Board as well as many other of the Resort’s committees. He then took on a position as a General Partner and General Manager for the Sea to Sky Gondola. The small team designed and implemented the successful project which was $25M in investment and opened in spring 2015. He is now developing another major gondola sightseeing project in the Fraser Valley.

Jessica is a gregarious communications and marketing professional with 15+ years in the tourism industry. She grew up working in high-end adventure travel, holding various hospitality roles that now enable her to look at the industry holistically.

This hands-on knowledge is complemented by studies in Sustainable Business Strategy, Global Business, and Leadership at Harvard's Business School. Jessica is passionate about promoting sustainable, meaningful, and responsible travel while honoring, nurturing, and protecting the diverse communities and intricate environments of British Columbia. She helped grow the Wilderness Tourism Association of British Columbia's marketing program from its infancy, which now drives traction and business to its membership of 50+ tourism businesses and stakeholders, encourages the protection of British Columbia's wild spaces, and positions wilderness tourism as a sustainable economic enterprise. Jessica is an integral member of Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort's strategic planning team — a boutique and luxury wilderness resort located in interior British Columbia — and she continually looks to support companies striving to make a positive environmental and social impact. She proudly serves on Destination British Columbia's Tourism Marketing Committee with hopes of helping shape a thriving, dynamic, and sustainable tourism sector for British Columbia.

Jodi Westbury joined Destination Greater Victoria as Vice President, Marketing Communications in January, 2022. Jodi has worked in several tourism sectors through her career, including hotels, attractions, previous DMO experience at Tourism Whistler, and the airline sector.

Jodi's career history includes hotels (Director, Marketing Communications for Coast Hotels in a corporate marketing/communications role overseeing programs for 35+ properties), attractions (Director, Marketing Communications for Grouse Mountain Resort for almost nine years), previous DMO experience at Tourism Whistler, and the airline sector (Canadian Airlines). Jodi’s wide and deep experience provides her with unique insight and perspective, including that of working in an entrepreneurial venture. Jodi holds an MBA from Sauder School of Business at UBC, and a BA in Communications and Tourism from the University of Calgary. Jodi currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC.

As the Manager of Public Programming & Media for Barkerville, Stewart is responsible for presenting the history of Barkerville and attracting visitors from near and far to the world-renowned heritage town.

Born and raised in the beautiful Cariboo region, Stewart Cawood has worked in Barkerville for 18 years. He started as a historical interpreter, providing scenes and tours to the historic site’s summer guests. He now works as the Manager of Public Programming & Media and oversees Barkerville’s heritage presentations, the Theatre Royal, and marketing for the Barkerville Heritage Trust. Stewart recently joined the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast’s Tourism Marketing Committee representing Area 3. He also serves as a director on the non-profit boards for the Wells Historical Society and Sunset Theatre in Wells, BC, which is located near Barkerville. Stewart takes great pride in promoting tourism along Highway 26 from Quesnel, and he believes that visitor traffic is dependent on the success of the surrounding region. He advocates for cooperation across British Columbia to ensure the prosperity of each organization that benefits from tourism in the province. Stewart holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Arts and Education from Thompson Rivers University. With a long career in theatre that has taken him across North America and overseas, Stewart is well-equipped to contribute to the tourism industry.