Sunshine Coast Tourism (SCT) announced its board of directors for 2024/2025 following an annual general meeting held on November 13 at the Beach Gardens Resort and Marina.
More than 50 attendees participated both in-person and virtually to highlight SCT achievements from the past year and elect the new board.
Elected members from Langdale to Lund are, "committed to enhancing tourism, such as accommodations, recreation, arts, culture, and heritage," stated a recent SCT media release.
One new member at large representing Sunshine Coast, north and qathet region, is executive director of qathet Film Society Gary Shilling.
"Since the qathet film society purchased the Patricia Theatre in 2021, Sunshine Coast Tourism has been a great promoter of our efforts to revitalize the theatre," shared Shilling, in an email to the Peak. "As a way of giving back, I’m pleased to join the board and to play a leadership role in their governance."
Shilling emphasized that tourism plays an increasingly important role in the qathet region’s economy, and he believes the Patricia Theatre is its most important built attraction.
Executive director of Terracentric Coastal Adventures Christine Hollmann was once again elected as SCT president and member at large, north, qathet region. Past president J.L. (Jack) Barr, owner of Powell River Town Centre Hotel/Beach Gardens Resort and Marina, was elected to the board once again to represent the qathet region and large accommodations.
Chris Tait from Klahoose Wilderness Resort was the third person elected to represent the qathet region (north) and
large accommodations.
To see more 2024/2025 SCT board member names, go to sunshinecoastcanada.com/articles/post/sunshine-coast-tourism-introduces-20242025-board-of-directors.
SCT communications manager Andrea Wickham-Foxwell said the election of new board members coincided with a critical moment of strategic visioning for our region.
"Our comprehensive planning initiative, launched through targeted surveys and engagement workshops in Powell River [qathet region] on November 13 and in Sechelt [Sunshine Coast Regional District] on November 15, represents a deliberate approach to developing our five-year tourism strategy."
Wickham-Foxwell added that the workshops brought together local stakeholders, community leaders and tourism experts to map out a forward-looking approach to managing the summer season and extending it into the shoulder and winter seasons.
"We've been collecting insights through detailed surveys and interactive sessions that capture stakeholder perspectives from Desolation Sound to Howe Sound," said Wickham-Foxwell. "Our aim is to create a tourism strategy that: Unifies the entire region; preserves environmental integrity; enhances community quality of life; supports year-round local economic growth and creates meaningful visitor experiences that respect our local ecosystems and culture."
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