TOTA 2024 AGM & Announcement of Board Directors

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at the Prestige Vernon Lodge & Conference Centre, on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territory of the Okanagan Indian Band and the syilx (Okanagan) People.

The meeting reviewed the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024, including a presentation of the Audited Financial Statements, Governance Report, and TOTA Activities, as well as the announcement of the Board Election Results.

Board Director Election

We would like to thank all of those in attendance as well as the candidates that let their names stand in this year's election.

Please join us in congratulating the new and returning board of directors:

 

Executive Directors

Chair:
Sandra Oldfield, Elysian Projects (Continuing Term)
South Okanagan | Sector: Other

Vice-Chair:
Kimo Linders, ERTCU Travel Group (Elected for Additional Term)
All sub regions | Sector: Other

Secretary-Treasurer:
Cassandra Zerebeski, Destination Silver Star (Elected for Additional Term) North Okanagan | Sector: DMO

Past Chair:
Michael J. Ballingall, Big White Ski Resort
Boundary Country | Sector: Attraction

Directors

Mandi Carroll, Westbank First Nation (Elected for Additional Term)
Central Okanagan | Sector: Other

Vicki Dalgleish, Sandman Hotel Group (New)
North Thompson, South Thompson, Gold Country, North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, South Okanagan, and Similkameen | Sector: Accommodation

Kelley Glazer, Destination Osoyoos (Elected for Additional Term)
South Okanagan | Sector: DMO

Morgen Matheson, Tourism Shuswap / Columbia Shuswap Regional District (Elected for Additional Term) Shuswap | Sector: DMO

Lumin McCutcheon, Trails to the Boundary Society (New)
Boundary Country | Sector: Other

Lara Pethybridge, Andrew Peller Ltd (New)
Central, South Okanagan | Sector: Wine

Ed Ratuski, YKA Kamloops Airport (Elected for Additional Term)
South Thompson | Sector: Transportation

Colin Ross, Peak Cellars (New)
Central Okanagan | Sector: Wine & Culinary

Monica Seys, Shuswap Marina (Continuing Term)
Shuswap | Sector: Speciality retail

Dale Sivucha, Coast Capri Hotel (Continuing Term)

Central Okanagan | Sector: Accommodation

Thom Tischik, Travel Penticton Society (Continuing Term)
South Okanagan | Sector: DMO

Welcome to all of the new and continuing board members. We thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and the region.

Learn more about the directors at TOTABC.org/Board.

Board Director Election Voting Begins October 1, 2024

Electronic voting for the TOTA Board Election will be open from October 1 to October 14, 4:30 pm.

Voting stakeholders received an email invite on October 1 from TOTA through Election Runner (noreply@electionrunner.com) with a link and instructions to vote for the board of directors.

There are a total of 12 board candidates for the 10 open positions. Each individual would be a tremendous asset to the TOTA board.

Candidates

For profiles of each candidate, go to TOTABC.org/agm.

Current directors, running for an additional term:

AJ Bachhal, Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls
North Thompson
Accommodation

Mandi Carroll, Westbank First Nation
Central Okanagan
Other: Community

Kelley Glazer, Destination Osoyoos
South Okanagan
DMO

Kimo Linders, ERTCU Travel Group
All sub regions
Other: Receptive tour operator

Morgen Matheson, Tourism Shuswap / Columbia Shuswap Regional District
Shuswap
DMO

Ed Ratuski, YKA Kamloops Airport
South Thompson
Other - Transportation

Cassandra Zerebeski, Destination Silver Star
North Okanagan
DMO

New candidates:

Vicki Dalgleish, Sandman Hotel Group
North Thompson, South Thompson, Gold Country, North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, South Okanagan, and Similkameen
Accommodation

Lumin McCutcheon, Trails to the Boundary Society
Boundary Country
Other

Lara Pethybridge, Andrew Peller Ltd (Gray Monk, Sandhill, Black Hills, Tinhorn Creek, Red Rooster)
Central Okanagan, South Okanagan
Wine & Culinary

Natasha Rojas, Wine Tours Gone South
South Okanagan
Other - Tour operator

Colin Ross, Peak Cellars
Central Okanagan
Wine & Culinary

This is an outstanding list of candidates, and we look forward to announcing and welcoming the new board directors at the TOTA AGM on October 29.

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More Information

For questions, please email the TOTA Board Liaison at BoardLiaison@TOTABC.com.

AGM & Board Director Call for Nominations

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) will hold the 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on October 29, 2024, at 3:30-4:30 pm, in the Prestige Vernon Lodge & Conference Centre in Vernon, home of the Okanagan Indian Band and the unceded, traditional territory of the Syilx People.

On behalf of TOTA Vice-Chair and Governance Committee Chair, Sandra Oldfield, we invite Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association voting stakeholders to put their name forward or to nominate a qualified candidate to serve as a member of the TOTA Board of Directors for a two-year term, effective October 29, 2024, to the 2026 AGM.

Leading up to the AGM, the Board Election will take place as follows:

• Deadline to become a Voting Member: August 29

• Call for Nominations: August 30 - September 20 (3 weeks)

• Electronic Voting: October 1 - 15 (2 weeks)

• Election results announced at TOTA AGM and first board meeting: October 29

TOTA is committed to assisting and supporting tourism stakeholders and working closely with Destination BC to put the Thompson Okanagan region and the Province of BC at the forefront of innovation as we maneuver through the tourism industry’s changing landscape.

This year, there are 10 openings. 7 directors are letting their names stand for re-election. 4 directors moving into the second year of their 2-year term.

Directors continuing their term:

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Monica Seys

Owner & Manager

Shuswap Marina

Blind Bay | Shuswap

Thom Tischik

Executive Director, Travel Penticton Society

Penticton | South Okanagan

Sandra Oldfield, Vice-Chair

Founder

Elysian Projects & Fortify Conference & Tradeshow

South Okanagan

Dale Sivucha

General Manager, Coast Capri Hotel

Kelowna | Central Okanagan

Current directors standing for re-election:

Mandi Carroll

Economic Development & Communications

Westbank First Nation

Westbank | Central Okanagan

Kimo Linders

Co-Founder / Director, Business Development

ERTCU Travel Group

Penticton | South Okanagan

Ed Ratuski

Managing Director

YKA Kamloops Airport

Kamloops | Thompson Valleay

AJ Bachhal

General Manager, Best Western Plus Gateway to the Falls

Clearwater | North Thompson

Kelley Glazer

Executive Director

Destination Osoyoos

Osoyoos | South Okanagan

Morgen Matheson

Team Leader, Tourism and Film

Tourism Shuswap / Columbia Shuswap Regional District

Salmon Arm | Shuswap

Cassandra Zerebeski

Executive Director

Destination Silver Star / Silver Star Resort Association

Vernon | North Okanagan

Thank you to the exiting directors:

Michael J. Ballingall, Chair (moving into position of Past Chair)

Senior Vice President

Big White Ski Resort

Boundary Country

Michael Eibl

Business Development Officer

Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc

Kamloops | South Thompson

Patricia Leslie, Secretary-Treasurer

National People & Culture Business Partner, for the Estate Wine Group of Andrew Peller properties

Okanagan Valley

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Submit a Nomination

We look forward to having candidates representing various communities and sectors, with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.

Voting members are eligible to put a name forward as a candidate in the election. Candidates must complete the nomination form which includes signatures from 4 voting stakeholders - see details below.

If you or someone you know is interested to run in the TOTA board election and is on the current Voting Stakeholder List, please:

1. Review the process to Become a TOTA Board Director

2. Collect signatures for the nomination form 

3. Submit the nomination form to TOTABC.org/AGM/election by 11:59 pm,  September 20, 2024

For questions, please email BoardLiaison@TOTABC.com.

Register for the TOTA AGM & Summit

October 29 - 30, 2024

Hosted with Tourism Vernon & Destination Silver Star

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TOTA 2023 AGM & Board Directors

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, on the traditional, unceded, and ancestral territory of the Penticton Indian Band, home of the Syilx (Okanagan) People.

The meeting included an overview for the year ending March 31, 2023, the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Audited Financial Statement, Governance Report, TOTA Activities,  and the Board Election Results.

View Minutes →

We would like to thank all of those in attendance as well as the candidates that let their names stand in this year's election.

Please join us in congratulating the new and returning board of directors:

Executive Directors

• Chair: Michael J. Ballingall (Continuing Term)
  Senior Vice President | Big White Ski Resort / Boundary Country

• Vice-Chair: Sandra Oldfield (Elected for Additional Term)
  Elysian Projects & Fortify | Oliver / South Okanagan

• Secretary-Treasurer: Patricia Leslie (Continuing Term)
  National People & Culture Business Partner, for the Estate Wine Group of Andrew Peller properties, including Tinhorn Creek Vineyards | South Okanagan

Directors

• Mandi Carroll (Continuing Term)
  Economic Development & Communications, Westbank First Nation | Westbank / Central Okanagan

• Monica Dickinson (Continuing Term)
  CEO, Tourism Kamloops | Kamloops / South Thompson 

• Michael Eibl (Continuing Term)
  Business Development Officer, Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc | Kamloops / South Thompson

• Kelley Glazer (Continuing Term)
  Executive Director, Destination Osoyoos | Osoyoos / South Okanagan

• Kimo Linders (Continuing Term)
  Co-Founder / Director, Business Development, ERTCU Travel Group (En Route Travel Canada) | Penticton / South Okanagan

• Morgen Matheson (Continuing Term)
  Team Leader, Tourism and Film, Tourism Shuswap / Columbia Shuswap Regional District | Salmon Arm / Shuswap

• Ed Ratuski (Continuing Term)
  Managing Director, YKA Kamloops Airport Ltd. | Kamloops / South Thompson

• Monica Seys (Elected for Additional Term)
  Shuswap Marina | Blind Bay / Shuswap

• Dale Sivucha (Elected for Additional Term)
  Coast Capri Hotel | Kelowna / Central Okanagan

• Thom Tischik (Newly Elected)

  Executive Director, Travel Penticton Society | Penticton / South Okanagan

• Cassandra Zerebeski (Continuing Term)
  Executive Director, Destination Silver Star/Silver Star Resort Association | Vernon / North Okanagan

Welcome to all of the new and continuing board members. We thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry and the region.

Learn more about the directors at TOTABC.org/Board.

TOTA Board Election: Early Call for Nominations

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) will hold the 2022 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Leading up to the AGM, the Board Election will take place as follows:

• Monday, July 18: Early Call for Nominations

• Friday, July 29: Official Call for Nominations Begins

• Friday, August 12: Close of Nominations

• Tuesday, August 30: Electronic Voting Begins

• Wednesday, September 14: Close of Electronic Voting

• Thursday, October 13: TOTA AGM & Board Meeting

On behalf of TOTA Nominating Committee Chair, Frank Antoine, we invite Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals to put their name forward or nominate a qualified candidate (see Eligibility Requirements below) to serve as a member of the TOTA Board of Directors for a two-year term, effective September 29, 2022.

The tourism industry faced tremendous challenges over the past two years, and the TOTA Board of Directors was committed to guiding TOTA to support regional tourism stakeholders. Going forward, there is much work to be done as we reimagine and rebuild a resilient, sustainable tourism industry in the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia.

For 2022, TOTA is seeking to fill eight board positions with enthusiastic and energetic tourism professionals representing a wide range of the Thompson Okanagan’s tourism sectors, communities, and perspectives. The TOTA board is eager to explore new ideas and learn from people with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

TOTA board members commit to a two-year term, with the following schedule:

• Regular board meetings and board retreat (four meetings / year)

• Option to join the Finance & Audit Committee (four calls / year)

• Option to join the Governance Committee (four calls / year)

The board will elect board members to serve the executive positions of Secretary-Treasurer, Vice-Chair, and Chair.

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Eligibility Requirements

Based on the TOTA Constitution & Bylaws, to nominate/vote and to qualify as a Board Nomination Candidate, the company or organization must meet the following criteria:

• A tourism stakeholder in good standing with TOTA.

• Must have participated in a TOTA marketing program or provided in-kind value in the amount of $100 or more within 12 months prior to the call for nominations on Friday, July 29, 2022.

• Nomination submitted in writing, signed by four voting members other than the nominee.

Community DMOs may serve on the board, however cannot hold an executive position.

For questions and to confirm voting member and board candidate eligibility, please email TOTA Board Liaison Chelsea Travere at Chelsea@TOTABC.com.

Run in the TOTA Board Election

If you or someone you know is interested to run in the TOTA board election and meets the criteria outlined above, please submit a signed nomination form to TOTABC.org/AGM/election by Friday, August 12, 2022.

Nominations cannot be accepted after the deadline.

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About TOTA

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a not-for-profit society governed by the BC Societies Act. TOTA is one of six Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMO) in the province of British Columbia that work under the Super, Natural British Columbia brand as an official representative of Destination British Columbia and whose mandate includes Industry Development, Destination Marketing, Destination Stewardship, and Destination Development.

Learn more at TOTABC.org.

TOTA Award Remembers George Hanson, Supports Okanagan College Viticulture Student

Winemaker George Hanson, who passed away in February 2021, was widely acknowledged for his efforts to grow the B.C. wine scene. A new award funded by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) will commemorate his legacy, while helping a viticulture student at Okanagan College to cultivate their future in the industry Hanson so dearly loved.

In honour of Hanson, TOTA donated $1,500 to create the George Hanson Memorial Bursary, which will be open to students in the college’s Viticulture Certificate program starting in January.

“We are very pleased to be able to support this award in memory of George Hanson,” said Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of TOTA. “George’s legacy of excellence will live on in the high bar he set for future grape growers and winemakers, such as those coming out of Okanagan College. George is dearly missed, and we hope this award will plant a seed of inspiration in the heart of a budding viticulturist.”

“George Hanson was truly larger than life and will be remembered as someone who left an inspirational legacy in the Okanagan wine and tourism industry,” said Jonathan Rouse, Associate Dean for the School of Business and Director of Food, Wine and Tourism at Okanagan College. “We're deeply grateful to the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association for this meaningful tribute to George, which will aid and inspire an Okanagan College viticulture student as they step out into the industry and carry on the tradition and passion of winemaking, creativity, and excellence that he embodied.”

About George Hanson

After a career in telecommunications, George Hanson arrived in the Similkameen Valley in 1999 with the goal of following his dream of winemaking. The rest is B.C. wine history.

He purchased a 20-acre parcel of land near Cawston and planted Bordeaux varietals. Four years later, he released his first vintage. A few years after that, he formalized and built what would become Seven Stones Winery. By the time he retired in 2019, Hanson and his wines had garnered international attention and awards—cementing his place as a pioneer in the industry and a respected name among B.C.’s acclaimed winemakers.

George Hanson served as a TOTA board member from 2013 to 2018, and as a Symphony Tourism Services (a subsidiary of TOTA) board member from 2019 to 2021.

About Okanagan College Viticulture Certificate

Those future viticulturists looking to follow in his footsteps can learn more about the College’s Viticulture Certificate at www.Okanagan.BC.ca/viticulture-certificate. The popular program starts in January at the Penticton campus. Students gain the skills and knowledge needed to master the art and science of grape growing, and gain vineyard operation and management skills needed to start and thrive in the industry.

Viticulture students interested in applying for the award are encouraged to do so through the College’s Financial Aid and Awards application portal on their myOkanagan account. General information for applying for awards at OC can be found at www.Okanagan.BC.ca/awards.  

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For more information:

Tyler Finley, Interim Director, Public Affairs

Okanagan College


250-762-5445, ext. 4211

TFinley@Okanagan.BC.ca

TOTA Board Retreat 2021/22

TOTA Board of Directors (Michael J. Ballingall, CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews, Meira LaRose, Bev DeSantis, Monica Seys, Sandra Oldfield, Dale Sivucha, Don Brogan, Andrea McFadden, and Gordon Fitzpatrick) with Canada Olympic Committee guests speakers Tricia Smith and Andrea Shaw at Predator Ridge Resort for the TOTA Board Retreat.

TOTA’s Board of Directors came together this week for the 2021/22 annual Board Retreat at Predator Ridge Resort. This was the first in person board meeting since the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions began in March 2020.

Several industry leaders shared insights on the State of the Tourism Industry including:

• Scott Fraser, Chair and Richard Porges, CEO, Destination BC

• Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Association of BC

• Ingrid Jarrett, CEO, BC Hotel Association

• Brenda Baptiste, Chair, Indigenous Tourism BC

• Geoff Ritchie, Senior Manager, Airport Development, Kelowna International Airport

• Kelly Galaski, Managing Director, Symphony Tourism Services (a TOTA subsidiary)

TOTA board members also learned more about the BC 2030 Olympic bid from Tricia Smith, President of the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Andrea Shaw, Vice President of Sponsorship, Sales and Marketing for the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC).

Through a simplified International Olympics Committee process, limited competition for 2030, and existing infrastructure from the Vancouver Olympics in 2021, the COC is working on a bid for the BC 2030 Olympics.

If deemed feasible the goal is to develop a regional footprint for the games which will expand beyond the footprint of 2010 in an effort to bring the Games to more places in the Province including the Thompson Okanagan. The event would lead to economic opportunity, tourism growth, and cultural enrichment, providing an opportunity for Indigenous reconciliation, access and inclusion, sports events, community engagement, and environmental stewardship.

The COC Project Team has commenced work on the Feasibility Phase and is engaging with partners to develop a plan.

On behalf of the TOTA Board of Directors, thank you to the guest speakers and to the Predator Ridge Resort team for the exceptional service, venue, and health and safety protocols.

Honorarium for George Hanson

On behalf of the association, a Student Bursary was presented to Okanagan College as an Honorarium in memory of George Hanson. George was the founder and owner of Seven Stones Winery in the Similkameen Valley, a past TOTA board director, a board director of Symphony Tourism Services (a TOTA subsidiary), and leader and advocate of the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry for many years. George passed away in February 2021 and is greatly missed.