Room to Shine Spotlight Series — Introducing Megan Patenaude
Get ready to meet the heart and soul of Kamloops in our Room to Shine Spotlight Series! Each month, we're pulling back the curtain to celebrate the incredible individuals who make this city what it is today. From leading visionaries to the behind-the-scenes heroes, these stories will dive into the grit, passion, and genuine spirit that keep Kamloops shining bright. So grab your coffee, get comfy, and let's shine a light on what makes this place unforgettable—its people.
The heart of any great city is its people, the ones who pour their passion, creativity, and energy into making their community thrive. In Kamloops, Megan Patenaude is one of those people.
As the Sales Coordinator for PHI Hotel Group, Megan has spent the last seven years building bridges in the hospitality industry, connecting visitors with the warmth and welcome that Kamloops is known for. Her role goes far beyond booking rooms—she's part of a team that represents six hotel properties across the city, including four major hotel brands: IHG, Hilton, Best Western, and Marriott.
Megan's journey to Kamloops began in Dawson Creek, where she grew up before making the move to attend Thompson Rivers University. She enrolled in the Tourism Management program, drawn to the hotel side of the industry, and hasn't looked back since. After graduation, she dove straight into hotel work, turning her education into a thriving career right here in the Tournament Capital.
With goals to become a sales manager and continue growing in the industry, Megan is proof that when you find your passion, you nurture it, and it nurtures the community right back.
We're excited to spotlight a Kamloops champion like Megan!
TK: So, Megan — how did you first get into the tourism industry?
"While attending University I enjoyed the hotel aspect of Tourism, and I started working in hotels right after I graduated at TRU."
What started as a student's interest quickly became a calling. Megan found her place in hospitality, discovering that the work she loved was right here in Kamloops, waiting for her to step into it. Seven years later, she's become an integral part of the city's accommodation landscape, helping to shape first impressions and lasting memories for visitors from around the world.
TK: That's wonderful! You're clearly passionate about what you do. What drives your passion for the work you do?
"Building connections across cultures and forming meaningful relationships is one of the most enriching parts of the hospitality industry for me."
It's this philosophy that makes Megan so effective in her role. In hospitality, it's easy to focus on logistics, room counts, booking systems, rate structures, but Megan sees beyond the transactions. She understands that every guest interaction is an opportunity to create connection, to welcome someone into the Kamloops experience with care and intention. Whether she's coordinating with international tour operators or connecting with local event planners, her work is rooted in relationship-building, and that human touch makes all the difference.
TK: That's a beautiful perspective. On your day off, what's your favourite thing to do in Kamloops?
"I love going for walks/hikes around Kamloops and taking my kids to Riverside Park. I also love golfing!"
When she's not at work connecting others to Kamloops, Megan is out enjoying everything the city has to offer. Whether it's exploring the trails that wind through the valley, spending time with her kids at one of Kamloops' most beloved parks, or teeing off at one of the region's stunning golf courses, she lives the lifestyle she helps promote. It's that authentic connection to place that makes her work so genuine—she's not just selling Kamloops; she's living it, loving it, and sharing it with pride.
TK: Love it! Last question: what makes Kamloops stand out for you?
"The mild winters and the hot summers! Nice weather most of the year."
Kamloops' climate is legendary, 300 days of sunshine, summers that stretch long and warm, and winters that are gentle compared to much of Canada. For Megan, who grew up in the colder climate of Dawson Creek, Kamloops offers the perfect balance. The weather isn't just a bonus; it's part of what makes the lifestyle here so vibrant and accessible year-round. It's what allows families like hers to get outside almost any day of the year, whether it's hiking in the spring, golfing in the summer, or enjoying riverside walks well into fall.
With seven years of dedication to Kamloops' hospitality industry and a genuine love for this city, Megan Patenaude is the kind of person who makes visitors feel like they've arrived somewhere special, because they have. Her work with PHI Hotel Group helps ensure that whether guests are staying at a Fairfield, a Holiday Inn, or any of the other properties she represents, they're getting more than just a place to sleep. They're getting a taste of Kamloops hospitality, delivered by someone who truly believes in this place.
For those looking to experience Kamloops' accommodations at their finest, Megan and her team at PHI Hotel Group are working behind the scenes to make every stay seamless, welcoming, and memorable. Whether you're here for business, a tournament, a family getaway, or a golfing adventure, you'll feel the care and connection that Megan brings to her work every single day.
Delta Kamloops
Mary Putnam
