Reflections as a Businesswoman of the Year Finalist

Wow, what an honour it is to be a finalist for Businesswoman of the Year, an award that recognizes outstanding contributions to British Columbia's tourism industry.

I always scour the list of award finalists and winners to see if any of our program participants, case study companies, or organizations we've supported through research, business or strategic planning is on the list. So it's humbling to see my name there.

In working on the development side of the tourism industry, my role is to ensure the success of others. It’s an honour to have my contributions recognized as industry development is a ‘behind the scenes’ activity that fosters the success of others. I love helping businesses create amazing visitor experiences, designing training that inspires and transforms, conducting research that informs actionable strategies, and volunteering to give back to community.

Being a finalist in a provincial award hosted by the BC Tourism and Hospitality Industry, sponsored by the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and the BC Hotel Association (BCHA), has led to a time of great reflection.

Over the years, I've been called the energizer bunny, the rubix cube gal, a catalyst for change, an experiential travel expert and a transformer. Each of these terms makes me smile for different reasons. But it's my passion for inspiring others, creating memorable travel and training, driving change, taking calculated risks and leaving a legacy that propels me forward.

I appreciate that my name is on the finalist list, but I'm just the catalyst. None of what I've achieved in my career could have been achieved on my own. I have an amazingly supportive family, a fantastic team at the Tourism Café and incredible collaborating partners. Add to the mix the synergy that comes through collaborating and pushing the boundaries with our clients that provide the fodder for creativity, innovation and taking calculated risks. The legacy of seeing others succeed, knowing they were influenced by the training or development work we do at some point along their journey, is what has driven my passion throughout my career.

To all of those on this journey with me, thank you for your influence on my career.