SPEAKERS & PANELISTS BIOS
Monday, February 9
WELCOME & INDIGENOUS BLESSING
DARREN REEDER
President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA)
Darren Reeder is President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA), He has over 30-years experience in the not-for-profit sector focused on strategic partnership development, research, advocacy, and media communications, aimed at municipal, provincial and federal business and government audiences.
MARTHA CAMPIOU
Martha Campiou is a Cree woman, born in Driftpile, Alberta, and is a member and Elder of Driftpile Cree Nation. She has lived in Edmonton from a very young age. Martha began her path to promote Indigenous people and culture as a young mother, introducing herself to the school her first son attended, to protect him from the racism she had suffered as a child, by teaching an understanding of Indigenous people. She became actively involved with the Indigenous community and the city, working for both the Métis Association and the Indian Association of Alberta as executive assistant. She joined the Canadian Friendship Centre and was President for seven years, during which time she also served for six years as the Treasurer of the National Association of Friendship Centres. She is a lifetime member of the Canadian Native Friendship Centre. Martha has served as a board member for several organizations in Edmonton, including the Alberta Craft Council and the Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women. Martha has been acknowledged with the Edmonton Salute to Excellence Award, the Alberta Aboriginal Role Model Award, and the Esquao Award from the Institute for Advancement of Aboriginal Women.
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She is an artisan, well known as a maker of traditional clothing and crafts. She has made traditional moosehide beaded jackets for many Chiefs in Treaty Eight, as well as for many prominent leaders, including the late Premier Ralph Klein, as well as a beaded vest for former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien. As a promoter of Indigenous arts and crafts, she has coordinated and hosted many craft sales and events.
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Martha recognised that there was a need for more support for Indigenous youth, and her contributions have made a difference in encouraging participation in sport by young Indigenous people. She became involved with the Edmonton Native Basketball Association (ENBA), founded by the late Allan Ross. ENBA hosted the first Alberta Indigenous Games (AIG), Sports for Youth in 2011 in Edmonton, with 380 Indigenous youth participating. Sadly Allan passed in 2015, and to honour Allan's ambition to help Indigenous youth, Martha worked to ensure the Games continued. The participation of youth in the Alberta Indigenous Games has grown significantly, with almost 4200 participants in 2022. Since 2011 she has undertaken the roles of President and Elder of AIG.
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Martha's desire has always been to share Indigenous culture. One way she was able to do this was as a member of a PowWow Dance group, which she helped to start: the White Braid Society Dancers and Drummers. The group was very active for over twenty years, being invited to almost every community in Alberta, and also to other provinces. She worked to find funds to enable the group to perform nationally and internationally. She was invited to take drummers to London, England, to perform for the Royal Tournament. This event included performances by many cultures from around the world, performing for the Royal family. Martha and the drummers were invited to meet Queen Elizabeth II, along with other members of the Royal Family,
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Martha continues to teach and share Indigenous Knowledge and cultural awareness, generously enabling many, including K-12 and post-secondary students and staff, to experience Cree culture, ceremony and perspective​
TOURISM ON THE WORLD STAGE
DANIELLE VLEMMIKS (Moderator)
Principal, Illumine Advisory
As Vice President, Strategy, Research, and Communications, Danielle Vlemmiks leads a team responsible for business strategy development, corporate communications, and research and insights. Danielle has ample experience working in government and tourism, including roles at Destination Canada, the City of Calgary, and the Government of Canada. Her time as a public relations professor at Mount Royal University complements her skills for inspiring individuals and mobilizing teams to deliver integrated, stakeholder-focused plans for success. Danielle is an avid reader, passionate community advocate, and enjoys volunteering for organizations that support early childhood literacy
SEBASTIAN BENEDICT
CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Sébastien Benedict is recognized as a visionary leader and strategic advocate for Canada’s tourism industry, bringing extensive experience in public affairs, government relations, and organizational leadership, with a career marked by directing complex advocacy efforts, shaping federal and provincial policy, and leading collaborative initiatives that have strengthened the voice and reputation of Canadian tourism; known for a forward-looking, innovation-driven approach rooted in relationship building and solution-focused action, he excels at forging strong partnerships with stakeholders, public officials, and industry leaders, promoting inclusive decision-making and resilient strategies that drive positive change, while as a bilingual communicator he bridges diverse perspectives, empowers high-performing teams, fosters dynamic working environments, and advances TIAC’s strategic vision to ensure Canada’s tourism industry continues to grow, compete, and thrive in a rapidly changing world.
DAVID GOLDSTEIN
CEO, Travel Alberta | Deputy Minister, Tourism & Sport
David Goldstein is a respected strategist and collaborator with more than 30 years of experience bridging the public and private sectors to strengthen the global competitiveness of Canadian tourism. Appointed CEO of Travel Alberta in 2021, he led the province’s post-pandemic tourism recovery—achieving the fastest sector rebound in Canada—and advanced long-term growth through the innovative Bootstrap Plan. In 2023, he was named Deputy Minister, where he brought private-sector expertise to government and led the development of Higher Ground: A Tourism Sector Strategy, aiming to more than double annual visitor spend to $25 billion by 2035 and unlock the full potential of Alberta’s $12.7-billion tourism sector supporting over 260,000 jobs. Previously, David served as President and CEO of Destination Canada and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, leading national tourism strategies, policy modernization, and global marketing initiatives. Fluently bilingual, he holds a BA in History and Political Science, is a graduate of the Institute of Corporate Governance, and has been recognized with the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal, Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Medal, and the King’s Coronation Medal for his service to the sector and community.
CHRISTINE LOTH-BOWN
VP, External Relations & Visitor Experience, Parks Canada
Christine Loth-Bown is Vice-President, External Relations and Visitor Experience at Parks Canada, the country’s largest provider of natural and cultural experiences, welcoming 24 million visitors annually and serving as a cornerstone of Canada’s tourism economy. In her role, she oversees communications, marketing and promotions, reservations, merchandise, visitor experience offerings, partnerships, and stakeholder relations. With more than 30 years of federal public service, Christine brings deep expertise in strategic planning, policy development, communications and engagement, marketing, environmental conservation, and cultural heritage protection. She has held senior leadership roles with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Christine holds a Master of Arts in Canadian Studies with a specialization in Indigenous Studies from Carleton University and a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Canadian Studies and Political Science from Glendon College, York University, and lives in Ottawa with her family.
MAUREEN RILEY
VP, Industry Engagement, Destinations Canada
With 30 years of experience in the tourism sector, Maureen brings an unparalleled depth and diversity of experience in the tourism sector, both in Canada and globally. She began her career as a tour guide, building a strong foundation in visitor experience, and went on to work with a receptive tour operator, where she developed a deep understanding of the tourism supply chain and the communities and economies it supports.
Maureen further expanded her experience through leadership roles with Tourism Whistler and Travel Alberta, and later gained international experience as Managing Director for the Japan Market at Destination Canada. Building on her success as Vice President, International, Maureen is now the Vice President, Industry Engagement at Destination Canada. In this position, she champions Destination Canada’s commitment to sustainable growth, industry collaboration, and innovation—working closely with partners to advance the industry and strengthen engagement across the tourism sector.
KEITH HENRY
President & CEO Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Mr. Keith Henry is a Métis leader born in Thompson, Manitoba and raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, with a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades in Indigenous tourism, policy, and organizational leadership. Beginning his career in education in 1995, he developed a strong reputation for strategic administration, negotiations, and financial governance, leading numerous provincial, federal, and industry negotiations since 1998 and overseeing the financial administration of multiple Indigenous non-profit organizations. Internationally recognized as a leader in Indigenous cultural tourism, Mr. Henry is the former CEO of the Aboriginal Tourism Association of British Columbia, whose work was honoured with the inaugural World Indigenous Tourism Alliance Award in 2014. He has been instrumental in advancing authentic Indigenous tourism in Canada, redeveloping the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and serving as its President and CEO since 2015, where he has led national growth strategies, market readiness and authenticity standards, and landmark economic research initiatives. His contributions have been recognized through his appointment as a Canada 150 Ambassador in 2017 and the awarding of an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Guelph in 2020, and he continues to serve the Indigenous community as the elected President of the BC Métis Federation since 2011.
WHAT THE SMARTEST TOURISM LEADERS ARE DOING IN AI RIGHT NOW
CHRISTOPHER PENN
Co-Founders & Chief Data Scientist, Trust Insights
Christopher S. Penn is a leading AI and marketing expert with over a decade of experience. As co-founder and Chief Data Scientist at Trust Insights, he helps businesses leverage AI to unlock their data’s potential. A seven-time IBM Champion, he has delivered double-digit ROI for brands like Cisco and T-Mobile. Christopher has shaped five key marketing fields, including AI in marketing and data-driven PR. He co-hosts the award-winning Marketing Over Coffee podcast and has authored 20+ books, including the bestselling AI for Marketers. His engaging talks demystify AI, providing practical takeaways to drive results.
ALBERTA ECONOMIC OUTLOOK
MARK PARSONS
Vice President & Chief Economist, ATB Financial
Mark is the Vice President and Chief Economist at ATB Financial, where he leads a dynamic team in providing insightful commentary and strategic economic outlooks, primarily focused on Alberta. With over two decades of experience in senior economic positions, including notable roles at Alberta Treasury Board and Finance, PwC, and the Department of Finance Canada, Mark has established himself as a trusted authority in the field. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences and a frequent contributor to media discussions on economic trends. He holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Alberta.
TWO PART PRESENTATION
Learnings & next steps from TIAA's compensation culture project
Tourism as a sovereign infrastructure: Alberta's next economic advantage
GREG KLASSEN
Senior Director, SKIFT Advisory
Greg has been in the business of tourism for…well a very long time. He is the co-founder of Twenty31 Consulting in 2015, acquired by Skift in 2023. Prior to his work in tourism consulting, Greg was CMO and Senior Vice President of Strategy and then interim CEO of Destination Canada for over 13 years. At Skift Advisory, Greg is dedicated to helping tourism operators and destinations achieve their own unique competitive advantage by leveraging strategies that drive their business forward. In those rare moments when Greg is not thinking about tourism, he can be found practicing tourism at destinations around the world.
TRAVEL ALBERTA & TOURISM & SPORT PRESENTATION
KEVIN WEIDLICH
Vice President, Commercial & Destinations Development, Travel Alberta
Kevin Weidlich brings more than 37 years of leadership experience across Canada’s public and private sectors, grounded in military service that included four international operations and recognition with the Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation for leadership in the Middle East. His civilian career spans entrepreneurship, project management, and executive roles in economic development and tourism, including serving as Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Explore Edmonton where he led major place-branding initiatives such as the award-winning EDMONTON ORIGINAL brand, and as inaugural President & CEO of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo Economic Development & Tourism where he delivered award-winning campaigns, launched StartupYMM, and attracted significant investment. In 2025, Kevin joined Travel Alberta as Vice President, Commercial & Destination Development, where he is responsible for advancing tourism product development to help achieve the province’s goal of increasing annual visitor spending to $25 billion by 2035.
MIRANDA ROSIN
Director, Tourism Policy & Strategy, Ministry of Tourism & Sport
As Alberta’s Director of Tourism Policy and Strategy, Miranda is responsible for Alberta’s Tourism Strategy with the goal of growing the province's visitor economy to $25 billion by 2035 and positioning the sector to play a leading role in Alberta's economic future.
Formerly, Miranda was the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism in the Government of Alberta and the MLA for Beautiful Banff-Kananaskis, where she served on Alberta’s Economic Future and Resource Stewardship Committees, and as Alberta’s representative on the Council of State Governments.
Miranda is internationally educated, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Regina and Shanghai Lixin University of Commerce in addition to a Certificate in Energy Policy Planning from the University of Idaho.
Miranda was awarded a Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal in 2022 for her public service and was nominated for a Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s 3 under 30 award in 2024.
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In her personal life, Miranda coaches the University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business national case competition team and enjoys hiking, skiing, and designing her own clothes.
ROB SIMIERITSCH
Executive Director, All Season Resorts Branch, Ministry of Tourism & Sport
Rob is a Professional Biologist with over 20 years of experience in regulatory and environmental management. Rob leads efforts to develop world-class, sustainable tourism opportunities that showcase Alberta’s natural beauty year-round. His career spans leadership in recreation, tourism, water, land, and natural resource management, with a strong focus on balancing economic growth and environmental stewardship. An avid outdoor enthusiast, Rob enjoys skiing, hiking, and camping—passions that inspire his commitment to creating exceptional all-season experiences.
BREAKOUT SESSION 1
ITA & TRAVEL ALBERTA ENGAGING WITH INDIGENOUS TOURISM COMMUNITIES
(JARI KURRI BALLROOM)
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TERRY GOERTZEN, Vice President, Economic Development, Travel Alberta
As the Vice President, Indigenous Relations, Terry Goertzen leads Travel Alberta in economic development, working closely with ITA. Terry is Metis from the Red River in Manitoba, an experienced public servant, who has performed the triple crown of serving municipal, provincial, and federal governments. Prior to joining Travel Alberta, he was the Regional Executive Officer of Indigenous Services Canada in Manitoba and Saskatchewan. In addition to his extensive experience working with Indigenous peoples, Terry has direct experience with the tourism sector as he served as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport in Manitoba.
CHELSEY QUIRCK
CEO, Indigenous Tourism Alberta
Chelsey is a proud Métis woman whose deep connection to the land is rooted in the Sinclair and Swain Families of the historic Red River Valley. Throughout her career, she has consistently been a powerful voice, advocating for Indigenous rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion across multiple sectors. As Chief Executive Officer of Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA), Chelsey is focused on building upon the existing momentum to meaningfully elevate Indigenous Tourism. She champions collaborative relationships as the essential way to bring that positive impact to the forefront for Indigenous communities. Chelsey has also served on boards, including Elevate Aviation, where she supported women and underrepresented groups pursuing aviation careers, and Aksis – Edmonton’s Indigenous Professionals Association. Her commitment to creating change was recognized when she was named one of Edify Edmonton’s Top 40 Under 40. Chelsey enjoys the everyday life on an acreage south of Edmonton, spending time with her family and animals.
ACTIVATING ALBERTA'S MEETING & CONVENTION & SPORT TOURISM DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL
(WAYNE GRETZKY BALLROOM)
ALISHA REYNOLDS
President & CEO, Tourism Calgary
Alisha Reynolds joined Tourism Calgary as the President and CEO on June 3, 2024. Prior to her new role at Tourism Calgary, Alisha spent over seven years at Northland Properties Corporation, holding senior leadership roles in restaurant and hotel operations, as well as development throughout North America. She was part of the executive teams responsible for Sandman Hotel Group & The Sutton Place Hotels, Moxies, Chop, Shark Club, and Denny’s. At one point, she oversaw a portfolio of 23 hotels in Western Canada, including all facets from operations to sales, HR, marketing, and revenue management.
Alisha’s professional background includes golf and country clubs, banking, and law but her passion lies in hospitality. Alisha holds Bachelor of Commerce and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Saskatchewan, a Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University, and a Master of Business Administration from Queen's University. She is the Past-Board Chair of the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta.
ALYSON ROBB
Vice President, Strategy & External Relations, TELUS Convention Centre
Alyson Robb is a public relations specialist with more than 20 years of experience across the public and private sectors, providing strategic communications and political advice to federal and provincial elected officials and building strong, collaborative relationships with external partners. She has managed local, national, and international events and announcements in collaboration with the Prime Minister’s Office, Ministers’ offices, and political leaders across Canada, delivering high-impact campaigns with strong attention to detail and positive media outcomes. Alyson brings deep expertise in government relations, strategic communications, media relations, brand and stakeholder management, social media, and internal communications, and is passionate about setting organizations up for success. She is an active board member with the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, past President of the Federation of Calgary Communities, a former board member of Sport Calgary, and an engaged member of the Calgary community.
ARLINDO GOMES
Vice President, Business Development & Venues Management Explore Edmonton
Arlindo leads the strategic operations of the Edmonton Convention Centre and Edmonton EXPO Centre, overseeing more than 1,200 staff and setting the framework for strong guest experiences and commercial performance. He also provides leadership for Explore Edmonton’s owned events, as well as Event Attraction and Destination Stewardship, with a focus on growing demand, developing market-ready experiences, and strengthening Edmonton’s position in domestic and international markets. With more than 25 years of experience in venue management and the live events industry, Arlindo brings deep expertise in large-scale events, venue operations, and visitor economy development.
CARSON ACKROYD
Senior Vice President, Sales, Explore Edmonton
Arlindo leads the strategic operations of the Edmonton Convention Centre and Edmonton EXPO Centre, overseeing more than 1,200 staff and setting the framework for strong guest experiences and commercial performance. He also provides leadership for Explore Edmonton’s owned events, as well as Event Attraction and Destination Stewardship, with a focus on growing demand, developing market-ready experiences, and strengthening Edmonton’s position in domestic and international markets. With more than 25 years of experience in venue management and the live events industry, Arlindo brings deep expertise in large-scale events, venue operations, and visitor economy development.
RUSSELL REIMER
President, Small Victories
Over the past two decades, Russell has worked with global brands and sport properties that are redefining the future of fandom through emerging youth culture, progressive technology, and city-stopping major events. Russell is the Founder of Small Victories — a consultancy specializing in major event bid development and sport tourism strategy.  His clients and projects include SailGP Canada, X Games Calgary, Red Bull Crashed Ice Edmonton, JUNO Awards Calgary and the Calgary 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
INNOVATORS PANEL
A community driven approach to building the local tourism economy
VANESSA RIVIERE (Moderator)
TBA
BLAINE MIRASTY
Development Manager, Wood Buffalo Travel Alberta
Blaine Mirasty is the Destination and Commercial Development Manager for the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region with Travel Alberta, where he supports sustainable tourism growth, destination investment, and product development across northern Alberta. He works closely with Indigenous tourism operators, Indigenous leadership, economic development organizations, municipalities, and Destination Marketing Organizations to advance market-ready experiences aligned with Alberta’s tourism strategy.
A proud member of Flying Dust First Nation (Treaty 6, SK), Blaine brings lived experience from growing up in a First Nations community, alongside professional expertise in Indigenous relations, community engagement, and economic development. He is passionate about advancing Indigenous-led tourism, fostering meaningful partnerships, and supporting community-driven destination development across Alberta.
DOUG LEIGHTON
Principal, EDG Planning & Design
Doug Leighton is a destination development specialist focused on creating great places that attract people and investment, strengthen local economies, and deliver lasting community benefits. He is the founder and Principal of Calgary-based EDG Planning & Design and is known for a highly collaborative planning approach, supported by extensive experience across both the public and private sectors as a planning director, consulting firm principal, and corporate vice-president. Doug’s career in destination development began with planning Expo 86 and includes leading the Village North masterplan as Whistler’s Senior Planner, establishing Banff’s planning department in 1990, and delivering projects across Alberta, British Columbia, and New Zealand ranging from all-season resorts and downtown revitalization to community and regional plans. His recent work includes destination plans for the Foothills, Southern Rockies, and Lakelands Tourism Development Zones, EDG’s award-winning Badlands Amphitheatre Masterplan, advisory work with Castle Mountain Resort, and ongoing destination development initiatives in the Crowsnest Pass.
JESSE SMITH
CEO, Tourism Red Deer
Jesse Smith serves as Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Red Deer, providing strategic leadership to advance the region’s visitor economy. With a professional background in municipal operations, including significant involvement in the delivery of the 2019 Canada Winter Games (among other key notable events), Jesse brings extensive experience in event operations, stakeholder collaboration, and destination development. He holds a degree in Recreation, Sport, and Tourism from the University of Alberta.  Jesse is committed to positioning Red Deer and the surrounding region as a competitive destination among Canada’s mid-sized cities at the provincial, national, and international levels.
SEAN MCRITICHIE
Director, Economic Development, Strathcona County
Sean McRitchie is the Director of Economic Development & Tourism for Strathcona County, where he leads efforts to strengthen local economic prosperity, enhance investment readiness, and champion community-driven tourism growth through strong partnerships with business, industry, and community stakeholders. With a career spanning public-sector investment attraction and private-sector business development, Sean brings a strategic, market-oriented approach to aligning economic growth with place-based advantages, developing investment strategies, fostering regional collaboration, and advancing projects that enhance community competitiveness. This investment attraction lens naturally extends into tourism, where understanding markets, showcasing local assets, and strengthening a region’s value proposition help draw both visitors and investors, ensuring community character, quality of place, and economic opportunity reinforce one another. Sean holds a Bachelor of Management from Concordia University and an Economic Development (Ec.D) designation from the University of Waterloo, and is deeply committed to responsible growth, community vibrancy, and long-term regional competitiveness.
STAVROS KARLOS
Director, Research Policy & Government Affairs, TIAA
Stavros Karlos is a former municipal politician and Project Manager at Banff Hospitality Collective. He playeda pivotal role in the creation of Three Bears Restaurant & Brewery, spearheading the project from concept to completion. With a vision to craft a standout brewpub, Stavros collaborated with industry experts to developa state-of-the-art draft beer system. His leadership and dedication helped transform Three Bears into a premier destination, known for its innovative design and fresh, tank-to-tap beer
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
JW Marriott TIAA extends its sincere thanks to the JW Marriott for its exceptional hospitality and partnership in hosting us
ENCORE CANADA
A heartfelt thank-you to ENCORE Canada for their outstanding partnership and production leadership in bringing the inaugural Alberta GRIT Awards to life. Their creativity, professionalism, and unwavering support of Alberta’s tourism industry exemplifies the spirit of collaboration and our shared passion for the future of this industry.
SOCIAL MEDIA​
Join this evening’s conversation and help us celebrate Alberta’s best in tourism! We encourage you to share your photos, videos, and reactions to tonight’s gala - from arrival, to the minute the award winners are announced.
SHARE YOUR REACTIONS
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WHERE TO FIND US
Follow the Tourism Industry Association of Alberta (TIAA) to stay up-to-date on industry news and advocacy activities from across the province’s tourism industry.