Ideas Forum Speakers and Presenters 2024

Speaker Bios and Topics 2024 Ideas Forum

Lisa Mackie, Partner at Alexander Holburn LLP – November 5 at 3:00 pm – Topic: License to Occupy Guidelines Unveiling

Lisa Mackie is a partner of the Vancouver-based law firm of Alexander Holburn LLP and the leader of the firm’s Rental Property Practice and Strata Property Practice. Lisa has represented clients before all levels of Court in British Columbia on strata property and residential tenancy law matters. Lisa also regularly represents and advises clients on human rights complaints, privacy disputes, employment disputes, and defamation matters. She is a trusted legal resource for various print and television media publications including: CBC Radio, CBC News, Canadian Lawyer Magazine, CityTV Breakfast Television, Times Colonist, The Province, and Canadian Property Management Magazine.

Erica Hummel, Director, Destination Development and Stewardship at Destination BC – November 6 at 11:30 am and 1:15 pm – Topic: Invest in Iconics: Working together to build a resilient and prosperous future for tourism in BC

Erica Hummel is the Director, Destination Development and Stewardship at Destination BC, where they lead the Destination Development and Destination Stewardship teams, which have direct responsibility for the Invest in Iconics Initiative as it relates to the integration of destination development elements and the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative. Prior this role, Erica built their career in tourism working for destination management organizations at both the community and regional levels in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta. They have over a decade of experience managing destination development, destination stewardship, place brand, stakeholder relations, industry development, travel trade, travel media, visitor services, and research and performance management teams. Erica has a master’s degree in Tourism Policy and Planning from the University of Waterloo and loves spending time outdoors with their family, on cross-country skis, snowshoes, in a canoe, or on a mountain bike. 

Chad Wetsch, General Manager of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region- November 6 at 11:30 am and 1:15 pm – Topic: Invest in Iconics: Working together to build a resilient and prosperous future for tourism in BC

Chad Wetsch is the General Manager of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Tourism Region. His areas of focus are strategic planning and management, relationship building with CDMOs, emergency management, recovery programs, the VCM Sustainability Council, and overseeing the 4 VCM Destination Management Councils and sub-committees. Before joining the VCM team, Chad spent 27 years working with Harbour Air Seaplanes. Through his career, he has built an exceptional set of skills including long-term strategic planning, leading agile teams, and generating and applying creative ideas. He has led multiple departments, is respected for his ability to recognize the strengths of each team member and has a large network in the region.

Suzanne Denbak, Principal of Cadence Strategies – November 6 at 11:30 am and 1:15 pm – Topic: Invest in Iconics: Working together to build a resilient and prosperous future for tourism in BC

Suzanne is principal of Cadence Strategies. She has worked with communities and Indigenous Nations across British Columbia for the last 25 years helping them craft their tourism strategies and find their unique advantage in a competitive landscape. Prior to establishing her consulting practice Suzanne was CEO of Tourism Whistler for five years. Suzanne also offers governance training to Society Boards and conducts feasibility assessments for tourism capital projects like Conference Centres, Cultural Facilities and Indigenous acquisitions of private tourism ventures.   

Robb MacDonald – Managing Director, Tourism Development, Strategic Leadership, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)  – November 5 at 9:30 am – Topic: Marketing a Destination

With over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, Robb is the Managing Director at Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), an internationally recognized, regional sustainable tourism not-for-profit organization. Robb oversees the operations of Marketing & Communications team and the social enterprise, Symphony Tourism Services, which provides innovative solutions and support for tourism businesses and communities.  As part of the Executive Management Team, Robb is helping provide strategic direction and leadership for all areas of the organization. Robb’s focus is on sustainability, innovation, and collaboration.

Matthew Stovold, Franchise Development Manager, KOA – November 6 at 8:30 am – Topic: Adding Glamping Units

Matt Stovold with KOA (Kampgrounds of America) was a past campground owner himself, with his family owning and operating the Toronto North / Cookstown KOA in Ontario.  Prior to that he spent time working for a corporate KOA location in Okeechobee, Florida, and working down under in Australia for the Discovery Holiday Parks Group. He, along with his wife Alison, were relief managers for the company and would step in to run operations when managers needed to be one extended leave.  This was a great way to immerse themselves in the culture and really get a good understanding for the campground industry in Australia and also take in the sights across the country. Matt has also sat on many boards and associations, including the Care Camps board, which the BCLCA also raises funds for throughout the year to helps kids with cancer enjoy the great outdoors.

Tim Pryde, Industry and Program Specialist, WorkSafeBC – November 5 at 4:15 pm – Topic: WorkSafeBC Update on First Aid Requirements, and Review of Injury Trends in Lodging and Campgrounds.

For the past 20 years Tim has supported workers and employers in the areas of disability management and injury prevention. Tim has an educational background in Kinesiology and has held a variety of positions in the areas of Ergonomics, Rehabilitation, and Health and Safety. In his current job as an Industry and Program Specialist at WorkSafeBC, Tim supports the the tourism and hospitality sector by providing education, consultation, and partnering with industry stakeholders on health and safety initiatives.

Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry Association of BC – November 6 at 9:30 am – Topic: Tourism Industry Association of BC Advocacy Update

Walt Judas has been involved in the tourism industry for over 30 years, having worked at BC Pavco, Port Metro Vancouver, and Tourism Vancouver prior to joining the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) in May 2015.  As CEO, Walt leads multiple advocacy/policy files, sets the strategic course for TIABC, builds relationships with members and industry stakeholders, and communicates the value of B.C.’s visitor economy to various constituents. Before TIABC, Walt spent 15+ years at Tourism Vancouver as Vice President of Marketing Communications, Membership and Sport.

Cara Csizmadia President, Canadian Camping and RV Council – November 6 at 10:30 am – Topic: National Campground Issues and Programs

Cara Csizmadia President of the Canadian Camping and RV Council (CCRVC). Before joining the CCRVC team and becoming President in 2023, Cara owned and operated a 200-site RV park in Alberta from 2007 to 2019. This hands-on experience, coupled with her extensive involvement with the CCRVC, has allowed her to develop relationships with hundreds of campgrounds nationwide and has given her deep insight into the needs of the association’s 1900+ members. Cara has a background in campground management, payroll, bookkeeping, accounting, and several years in customer service roles.

James Grant, President and CEO Signature Risk Partners Inc – November 4 at 3:00 pm – Topic:  Nationwide Review of Actual Park Insurance Claims for 2024

James Grant is the President & CEO of Signature Risk Partners Inc., which he co-founded in September 2006. Prior to founding Signature Risk, James was Vice President at Talvest Fund Management Inc., a $5 billion dollar asset management company. Talvest was part of TAL Global Asset Management, one of Canada’s largest investment managers, with more than C$60 billion under management. TAL and it subsidiaries were fully acquired by CIBC and renamed CIBC Asset Management effective January 01, 2006. At Talvest, James was part of the product development team, and his duties included the development and launch of new investment products in addition to his sales and marketing leadership in the Toronto region. Prior to joining Talvest, James was a member of the team that launched Altamira International Bank in Barbados. James was involved in all aspects of the offshore bank with a particular focus on the development of an international distribution network through lawyers and leading accountants located in the Caribbean. James has over 30 years of financial and asset management industry experience.

Peter Lovering, Business Development Specialist, Signature Risk Partners Inc – November 4 at 3:00 pm – Topic:  Nationwide Review of Actual Park Insurance Claims for 2024

Peter joined Signature Risk to help launch the Signature Park program in December of 2022.  He brings over 25 years of business development, sales, design, publishing and political experience to Signature Risk.  As a graphic designer, publisher and business owner, he has a passion and talent for approaching things creatively and building communities.  Peter’s role at Signature is to grow relationships through our many Association partnerships while supporting our growing Insurance Broker network across Canada.