2023 Alberta Tourism Advocacy Summit

Early Bird Tourism Advocacy Summit tickets are limited to five (5) per organization.  This limit may be lifted after the Early Bird period expires, depending on availability.  While additional tickets cannot be guaranteed, please email info@tiaalberta.ca to be included on a waiting list.

Tourism Advocacy Summit membership ticket pricing is available to a member organization’s employees and up to two (2) board representatives.  Membership ticket pricing is not offered to member applicants; organizations must be paid and approved members.  Membership ticket pricing is not otherwise extended to a member organization’s membership, volunteers, or affiliated businesses. Refund policy can be found here.

Hosted at the JW Marriott ICE District in downtown Edmonton, the Alberta Tourism Advocacy Summit is the industry’s premier event to learn about current government priorities, to gain political insights from industry and media observers, and for you to share your industry points-of-view with elected and nonelected representatives. With an election on the political horizon, TIAA encourages all industry champions to attend to show those in government and opposition the breadth and experience of the industry. Download the full event agenda here.
 

DAY 1

10:00 am Blessing, Land Recognition

 • Hazel McKennitt – Knowledge Keeper, Sady Lake First Nation

Welcome & Opening Remarks

• Darren Reeder – President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA)

• Miranda Rosin - Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism

• Traci Bednard – CEO, Explore Edmonton

10:45 am State of the Tourism Industry Panel

• Marsha Walden – President and CEO, Destination Canada

• Beth Potter – President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada

• David Goldstein – CEO, Travel Alberta

• Traci Bednard – CEO, Explore Edmonton – Moderator

12:00 pm Lunch

12:40 pm Federal Perspectives on the Future of Tourism

• Hon. Randy Boissonnault – Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of

Finance, Government of Canada

• Hon. Karen Sorensen – Senator and Co-Chair, Parliamentary Tourism Caucus

• Andrew Gibbons, Vice President, Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs, WestJet

1:30 pm Alberta Pre-Election Political Insights Panel

• Janet Brown – Janet Brown Opinion Research

• Graham Thomson – Freelance Political Writer

• Ryan Jespersen, Real Talk, Host

2:45 pm Break

3:00 pm Deputy Ministers Panel: Advancing a Whole of Government Approach for Tourism

• Shannon Marchand – Deputy Minister, Forestry, Parks & Tourism

• Shawn McLeod, Deputy Minister, Jobs, Economy & Northern Development

• Darren Reeder – President & CEO, TIAA – Moderator

4:30 pm Coffee & Networking Break

5:00 pm Reception with NDP Caucus

5:40 pm Fireside Chat with Rachel Notley, Leader, NDP

• Rachel Notley – Leader, New Democrat Party (invited)

• Daryl McIntyre – 630 CHED Radio Host

7:00 pm Dine Around

9:00 pm Hospitality Suite

Hosted by Campio Brewing

DAY 2

7:30 am Breakfast

8:00 am Fireside Chat with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith & Forestry,

Parks & Tourism Minister, Todd Loewen

• Hon. Danielle Smith – Premier of Alberta (invited)

• Hon. Todd Loewen – Minister of Forestry, Parks & Tourism

• Daryl McIntyre – 630 CHED Radio Host

Members of the UCP caucus that either hold direct or indirect responsibilities related to

tourism and hospitality industry matters will also be invited to participate in this session.

9:15 am Tourism Advocacy Positioning in the Upcoming Provincial Election

• Michelle Gurney, Principal, SHIFT Communications - Moderator

• Cindy Ady, President & CEO, Tourism Calgary

• Michael Solberg, Partner, New West Public Affairs

• Duane Bratt, Professor & Political Commentator, Mount Royal University

10:30 am Break

10:45 am Breaking the Tourism Labour Supply Conundrum: A Strategic Path Forward for Alberta

• Phil Mondor, President & CEO, Tourism HR Canada - Moderator

• Tracey Kalimeris, Vice President, Talent & Culture, Accor

• Kendra Kincade, Founder/Chair, Elevate Aviation

• Janet Lane, Director, Human Capital Centre, Canada West Foundation

12:00 noon Luncheon Keynote Presentation: Rebuilding Stronger,

Smarter After Coronavirus

• Doug Lansky, World-Renowned Destination Advisor & Tourism Expert  

1:30 pm Break

1:45 pm Sustainable Tourism on Crown Lands, Parks, Protected & Sacred Places

• Greg Klassen, Principal, Twenty31 - Moderator

• Keith Henry, President, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

• Jon Mamela, SVP, Chief Commercial Officer, Travel Alberta

• Dave Butler, Director, Sustainability, Canadian Mountain Holidays

3:15 pm Summit Closing Comments

Disclaimer: While TIAA is taking all reasonable efforts to ensure the attendance of those identified on this 2-day agenda, there is likely to be some changes in speakers due to scheduling circumstances that rest beyond our control.