The Tourism Kamloops Team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Ms. Lee Morris

Tourism Kamloops is under the strong leadership of CEO Ms. Lee Morris, who brings a world’s worth of tourism, management, marketing and strategic planning knowledge and experience to the organization. Lee is no stranger to the tourism industry, having worked for 25 years in senior management roles, of which 19 years were in a Destination Marketing capacity.

In understanding the business of tourism, it is essential to have a strong understanding of business. Lee has had firsthand experience, having owned Tourism Interior Marketing Services. The company, founded in July of 1997, provided marketing services to the tourism industry within BC’s Interior. Lee also served as the Executive Director for 9 years with the High Country Tourism Association and was responsible for developing and delivering a $900,000 per annum tourism marketing budget, providing leadership to the private sector and communities on tourism marketing and development strategies, and the direct delivery of all international marketing initiatives.

Experience and contact throughout the industry for Lee have been made through chairing committees and through numerous volunteer opportunities such as spending 14 years as a volunteer to the Cattle Drive Society. She returned from Victoria after 7 years as Director of Sales & Marketing to Kamloops where she hold the position as CEO of Tourism Kamloops, is currently a Director with CITAP (Canadian Inbound Tourism Association - Asia Pacific), and enjoys the challenges ahead in leading the Tourism Kamloops team on to further success.

MANAGER, MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS

Howard Grieve

Howard Grieve joined Tourism Kamloops in January, 2007 and brings over 24 years experience in the Tourism Industry to the team. Howard began his career in the Tour and Travel sector as a Certified Travel Counsellor and specialized in designing, marketing and operating both inbound and outbound tours. Combining his experience with a BC Instructor’s Diploma, Howard spent the next 10 years as a tourism educator and curriculum designer. Making a lifestyle change in 1998, he and his family moved from the lower mainland choosing Kamloops as their new home. Howard became involved in the restoration of the 2141 steam locomotive ‘Spirit of Kamloops’ as a volunteer and helped the society to complete the restoration. The society contracted Howard to create a business plan, fund raise and start up the Kamloops Heritage Railway and over the past eight years it has become one the premier tourism attractions in the area.

Howard has been active in the community serving as past Chairman of the Juniper Ridge Community Association, and has served on the boards of Venture Kamloops, Kamloops Heritage Railway Society and the BIG Little Science Centre Society. Howard, his wife and one daughter enjoy the outdoors and hike regularly in the grasslands taking advantage of the dry climate they sought out when leaving the west coast. His family also enjoys the wide range of winter activities especially skiing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snowshoeing at Harper Mountain and Sun Peaks Resort.

MANAGER, SPORTS, MEETINGS & EVENTS

Kris Austin

Before joining the Tourism Kamloops team in the summer of 2008 as the Manager for Sports, Meetings, and Events, Kris spent nearly 20 years in the sales and hospitality management industry. Kris’ responsibilities at Tourism Kamloops include working closely with the City of Kamloops as a link to the hospitality industry for organizers of Sporting Events and Tournaments, providing materials which will assist in the promotion of and build registration for sport events, as well as assisting organizers in their planning requirements when hosting such events in Kamloops which brings visitors to Kamloops. Kris also promotes the city of Kamloops to Government Agencies, Associations, and the Corporate Market as a destination for board retreats, conferences, meetings, and golf tournaments.

Kris began his career with the Hyatt Regency Vancouver in 1988 while he attended Capilano College in North Vancouver after graduating from Kitsilano High School in 1990. Born and raised in Kamloops , he was thrilled to return to his hometown 5 years ago with his wife Sandra and two daughters. Kris is excited with the opportunity to showcase all of the great recreation activities, venues, and facilities that Kamloops has to offer to everyone he meets and he himself enjoys golfing, travel, photography, spending time with his family, exploring the sites and multitude of things to do in the Kamloops area. Plus, like any true Kamloops boy, is an avid hockey fan.

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Monica Dickinson - Currently on Maternity Leave

Monica joined the Tourism Kamloops team in August 2007 in the capacity of Executive Assistant. Working along side the CEO and with the Tourism Kamloops Board of Directors, Monica's role spans administrative duties as well as assisting with research and web development for the organization. No stranger to the tourism industry, Monica’s previous work has involved membership services, tour and travel coordination and sales, marketing and community marketing planning and development for Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. Monica holds a Bachelor of Tourism Management from the School of Tourism at Thompson Rivers University and her continued passion for Kamloops and the tourism industry lead her to Tourism Kamloops. Monica is excited to be a part of tourism growth in Kamloops and looks forward to working with all of the industry partners to realize this goal. Monica is currently on maternity leave until April 2011.

Anne Nicolson

Anne is currently filling in for Monica in the position of Executive Assistant.

MARKETING & SALES COORDINATOR

Lisa Strachan

Lisa has returned to the Tourism Kamloops team as the Marketing & Sales Coordinator. Working alongside the CEO and the Manager of Sports, Meetings & Events, Lisa’s role includes tour and travel, research and web development as well as working with sports and events.

Lisa is originally from Kamloops and is a graduate from Thompson Rivers University where she studied tourism . Lisa played for the Varsity volleyball team and still keeps very active in the community by both coaching and playing. Lisa loves to travel and has spent 11 month in South America with hopes to return as well as travel to other parts of the world.

Lisa is excited to be back at Tourism Kamloops and is looking forward to the many opportunities to promote Kamloops as a great tourist destination.

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

Kendel Lavallee

Kendel is new to Tourism Kamloops, joining the team in June 2010 as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator. Working alongside the Manager of Marketing and Communications, Kendel's role includes events, reasearch and web development and administrative support as well as working on print advertising.

Although Kendel was born in Kamloops, she has always kept busy moving around, having lived in Rock Creek, Osoyoos and New Zealand. It was after her first trip abroad that she discovered her love of travel and tourism and made the trip back to her hometown of Kamloops to complete her Bachelor of Tourism Management at Thompson Rivers University.

Kendel is excited to be a part of the Tourism Kamloops team and is committed in helping the tourism industry in Kamloops grow.

Information

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Kamloops Visitor Centre: 1-800-662-1994

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