Jikke (yika) has worked in the tourism and hospitality sector for over 35 years with a degree in Hospitality & Tourism Management from Toronto Metropolitan University.  From front-line positions to Executive, rural and urban locations, private sector non-profit  and government positions, Jikke has a level and diversity of tourism expertise and experience unique to the industry.  She has been the Executive Officer for Tourism Fernie since 2010, and raising two boys with her husband.

As the Executive Director at Tourism Nanaimo, Carly is at the helm of shaping and executing the tourism strategy for the city, leveraging her background in market communication and operations management. In her current role, she spearheads initiatives that enhance visitor experiences and promote the city’s unique attractions. Prior to her current position, Carly held the role of Executive Director at Destination Campbell River.

Carly holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in General Management and actively participates in various steering committees and initiatives, including economic development, tourism advisory, and brand alignment projects.

Over the past 30-plus years, Ian has been involved in the Tourism and Hospitality industry in a variety of roles, working directly with numerous communities, stakeholders, charities, and the Armed Forces to impact and support key projects throughout North America and Europe.

Over his career, he has been incredibly fortunate to have worked with some amazing people who have shared their knowledge and allowed him to learn how to both lead and support. Ian brings to the BCDMOA board experience from Oliver as well as many years of industry service and understands the importance of tourism to the economy and its impacts on our communities.

Allison Colthorp is the Executive Director of Tourism Ch’illiwack, leading her team in the implementation of destination management and reconciliation plans.   This includes operating Chilliwack Heritage Park, the Visitor Centre, the Chilliwack Merch Shop, and the Flag Shop.  She has over 25 years of experience working within the tourism industry with a strong focus on forming partnerships with all levels of government and stakeholders to ensure initiatives are inclusive.

Allison sits on the Board for Stó:lō Community Futures, an organization that provides support to Indigenous businesses and fosters entrepreneurial growth.

In her spare time, you can regularly find her in her backyard BBQing! She also has a deep passion for animals, and to date, she has rescued 2 seagulls, 16 ducks, 5 dogs, 2 raccoons, 1 deer, 2 quails, and numerous ants.

As the Executive Director of Tourism Prince Rupert, Jaimie leads marketing campaigns, destination development initiatives, and events that promote travel to the North West Coast. She has built her career in the tourism and hospitality industry, holding previous leadership roles as Operations Manager for both the Highliner Hotel & Conference Centre and the Olde Time Trolley Company. She also contributes to the community as a Director on the Prince Rupert Community Arts Council and as an active Rotarian.

Originally from Vancouver and raised in Toronto, Jaimie returned west after completing Humber College’s Tourism and Hospitality program. She has proudly called Prince Rupert home for the past thirteen years and is passionate about showcasing this coastal community as a world-class destination to live, work, and visit.

Bringing over 15 years of leadership in global tourism and destination management, Gerardo has extensive experience chairing and collaborating on numerous tourism boards.

Gerardo’s goals for the BCDMOA include refining our advocacy roles, fostering a mentorship culture to tackle industry challenges together, and initiating marketing exchanges between destinations to enhance mutual visibility. Additionally, he is keen to develop multi-destination experiences to diversify our tourist offerings.  He looks forward to applying his expertise to propel growth and innovation within British Columbia’s tourism sector.

Erik Fisher brings decades of experience in leadership, strategy, and brand marketing in British Columbia. As CEO of Tourism Kamloops, Erik combines deep industry knowledge with an energetic, forward-thinking approach to destination development. Known for his innovative perspective and collaborative leadership, Erik is passionate about driving growth, cultivating experiences, and creating meaningful partnerships that ensure the tourism sector continues to thrive. His expertise in advocacy, and championing industry advancement makes him a dynamic force in supporting the evolution of the BCDMOA. With a career marked by both creativity and strategic vision, Erik is committed to shaping tourism in ways that inspire visitors, strengthen communities, and fuel sustainable growth.

Paul Nursey is the CEO of Destination Greater Victoria. He is a highly accomplished tourism marketing, strategy, and branding expert who is widely regarded as one of Canada’s top tourism policy minds. Paul’s 29 years of tourism management and leadership experience includes holding leadership positions with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours, Mount Seymour Resorts, Destination Canada and Tourism Vancouver. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Destinations International Foundation and as Vice Co-Chair of the PNWER Regional Tourism Council. He previously served on the Board of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada as the Advocacy Committee Chair.

Chris Peters is the Executive Director at Tourism Burnaby, where he leads a team responsible for facilitating activity in direct sales and marketing efforts and community partnerships. He has more than 20 years of tourism sales and marketing expertise including positions with; hotels, timeshares, online media, and destination marketing organizations.

In addition to his current role on the board of the BCDMOA, Chris also serves as a Director for Meeting Planners International (MPI) where he strives to align the work of destinations and the meeting industry across the province.

When not pursuing his passion for showcasing western Canada to a global audience, Chris enjoys creating unPinterest-worthy woodwork projects and slowly euthanizing the plants in his garden.

Jenna Robins serves as the Tourism Marketing Coordinator for Salmon Arm Tourism and the Project Coordinator with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society (SAEDS). Through these interconnected roles, she enhances Salmon Arm’s visitor experience and strengthens the community’s position as a leading tourism destination. Jenna oversees the coordination of the MRDT Program and funding disbursement, develops and executes annual marketing strategies, and leads campaigns that showcase the very best of the region. By collaborating with local organizations and businesses, she helps build strong partnerships that highlight Salmon Arm’s unique charm and ensure that tourism growth continues to benefit the community.

Beyond her work with SAEDS, Jenna is also the CEO and Founder of Trilogy Solutions, a digital marketing agency dedicated to transforming marketing into a platform for authentic human connection. This blend of community leadership and entrepreneurial expertise allows her to merge her passion for place-based storytelling with her skills in marketing and project management—ensuring both Salmon Arm Tourism and the local business community continue to thrive.