Get to Know Our Team: Meet Cassidy Davidson!
From prairie roots to mountain views, meet Tourism Kamloops' new Marketing & Communications Coordinator!
Sometimes the best adventures start with a little leap of faith. For Cassidy Davidson, that leap meant packing up her life in Alberta and moving to a city she'd never even visited. Fast forward a few years, and Kamloops has become home, and now the place where she's kicking off her career in tourism.
We're excited to welcome Cassidy to the Tourism Kamloops team as our new Marketing & Communications Coordinator. With a background in hospitality, a passion for connecting with people and a fresh perspective on what makes Kamloops special, Cassidy is ready to dive into the world of destination marketing.
From the Prairies to the 'Loops
Born and raised in Strathmore, Alberta, just outside of Calgary, Cassidy originally headed to the University of Lethbridge to study environmental science and geography. She had her sights set on a career in ecotourism but wasn't quite sure how to get there. That changed during a conversation with a coworker who suggested she look into the tourism program at Thompson Rivers University.
At the time, Cassidy had never heard of TRU's tourism program and knew very little about Kamloops. But after discovering that nearly all her university credits would transfer, she decided to take a chance and make the move on her own.
"Honestly, I had never even been to Kamloops a day in my life, and one day I just decided I was ready for change and decided to take the leap and move here on my own. The rest is kind of history!"
As a self-proclaimed prairie girl, Cassidy quickly fell in love with the mountains, lakes and endless outdoor adventures surrounding Kamloops. But while the scenery first captured her attention, it's the people and connections she's made along the way that have inspired her to stay.
"The biggest thing that's made me want to stay in Kamloops is the community that I've built for myself out here. I've been incredibly fortunate to meet so many wonderful people who have become such important fixtures in my life."
And, as she points out, Kamloops' growing food scene certainly doesn't hurt either!
Finding Community Through Hospitality
Throughout her studies, Cassidy worked in the local hospitality industry, including as a server at Match Eatery & Public House and with Mocktail Mixery. These experiences gave her a firsthand appreciation for Kamloops' welcoming spirit, its local businesses and the connections that make a destination memorable.
From meeting new people and hearing their stories to seeing the growing popularity of zero-proof cocktails and creative beverage experiences, Cassidy has developed a strong appreciation for the evolving hospitality scene and the people behind it.
For Cassidy, the biggest lesson from hospitality is that memorable experiences don't always need to be elaborate. Sometimes, it's simply about making someone feel seen and welcomed.
"A warm smile and a simple conversation can turn any ordinary interaction into a memorable experience. That's what I love most about hospitality. It's all about turning everyday moments into something special."
Having experienced Kamloops as a student, hospitality worker and now a resident, Cassidy brings several different perspectives to her new role. As a student, she loved exploring the city's free and affordable events. Working in hospitality introduced her to the businesses and people creating memorable experiences for visitors. And as a resident, she's continuing to discover the hidden gems and local favourites that give Kamloops its character.
It's these experiences that Cassidy hopes to bring into her storytelling, sharing not only the attractions and adventures that draw people to Kamloops, but also the people, atmosphere and everyday moments that make the city such a special place to live and visit.
A Few Kamloops Favourites
When friends and family come to visit, Cassidy has a pretty great itinerary for showing off her adopted hometown. Her perfect Kamloops day starts with breakfast, coffee and a game of crib at Frankly Coffee, followed by a stroll through downtown to explore local shops. From there, it's off to Savona for an afternoon at Kamloops Lake before heading back into the city for dinner at Manilas Social.
To finish the day, she'd grab an ice cream from Scoops, catch some live music at Music in the Park and take in one of those beautiful Kamloops sunsets.
While Cassidy has explored plenty of the region, there's still more on her bucket list. A trip to Wells Gray Provincial Park is at the top, especially after hearing just how spectacular the waterfalls and scenery are in the fall.
Kicking Off a Career in Tourism
As a Tourism Management student at TRU, Cassidy became familiar with Tourism Kamloops and the organization's work to promote and support the destination. When the opportunity to join the team as Marketing & Communications Coordinator came up, it felt like a natural next step and an exciting way to begin her career in tourism.
"I couldn't think of a better place to start my career in tourism than with an organization like Tourism Kamloops, in the same city where I earned my degree."
Now settling into her new role, Cassidy is eager to learn more about destination marketing, connect with industry partners and gain a deeper understanding of the work that goes into promoting Kamloops. She's especially excited to learn from the team, take on new challenges and bring her own perspective to the stories Tourism Kamloops shares.
We're thrilled to have Cassidy joining our team and bringing her enthusiasm, curiosity and love for Kamloops into her new role. As she continues to grow her connections within our tourism community, we encourage our industry partners to say hello, introduce themselves and help give her a warm welcome.
Want to connect with Cassidy? Whether you have a great story to share, an upcoming initiative to highlight or just want to say hello, she'd love to hear from you!
Reach out at .
