Event

The City of Ottawa and its partners in the local tourism and hospitality industry have committed to positioning Ottawa as the national epicentre of celebrations for the 150th anniversary celebration of Canada’s Confederation in 2017. Significant resources have been dedicated to the creation and delivery of a comprehensive portfolio of events and attractions that will provide a unique experience in the capital and increase the influx of visitors coming to Ottawa in 2017.

Part 1 - Tourism Outlook Luncheon

In order to ensure that the economic benefits of these investments are sustained beyond 2017, the City of Ottawa and the Economic Club of Canada, in partnership with Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association, the Shaw Centre and Ottawa Tourism present the, Ottawa Tourism Summit. Held on Monday, May 30th, 2016, marking the start of Tourism Week in Canada, this Summit will bring together tourism stakeholders in the national capital region to review the current state of Ottawa’s tourism industry and to consider strategies to build on the momentum created by 2017 moving forward.

Featuring:
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism
His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor, City of Ottawa   
Jean Cloutier, Councillor, Alta Vista Ward, City of Ottawa
Steve Ball, President, Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association
Charlotte Bell, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada 
Michael Crockatt, President & CEO, Ottawa Tourism  
Daniel Gélinas, General Manager, Le Festival d'été de Québec 
David F. Goldstein, President & CEO, Destination Canada
Katherine Henderson, Chief Executive Officer, Curling Canada  
Nina Kressler, President & CEO, Shaw Centre 
Guy Laflamme, Executive Director, Ottawa 2017 Bureau 

Part 2 - DestinationNEXT Workshop and Long-Term Tourism Strategy

Following the luncheon portion of the Summit, all tourism stakeholders in Ottawa are invited to participate in a facilitated afternoon workshop to discuss the future of Ottawa’s tourism sector.

Featuring:
Paul Ouimet, Managing Director, DestinationNEXT

Summit Registration:

1- Tourism Luncheon + Afternoon Workshop (11:30 am – 5 pm) 
Individual Seat: $75 +HST

2- Tourism Luncheon Only (11:30 am – 1:30 pm) 
Individual Seat: $75 +HST

3- Afternoon Workshop Only (2 pm – 5 pm) 
Individual Seat: No Charge, Online Registration Required*

Charlotte Bell

President & CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC)

Charlotte was appointed President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in April 2015 where she is responsible for the overall leadership of the organization representing tourism interests at the national level. Canada’s tourism success stems from its unique and plentiful attributes as a destination, the professionalism and dedication of operators and the tourism workforce, as well as a cohesive national association of tourism businesses that gets results on behalf of its members.

Having spent more than 25 years in the broadcasting sector in Canada, Charlotte has an extensive background in advocacy, strategic planning and public affairs. During her tenure as head of regulatory affairs for some of Canada’s most prominent media companies, she spearheaded advocacy and public affairs strategies to garner approval for some of the largest media acquisitions in Canada and important regulatory reforms. She has also served on a number of Boards, including Canadian Women in Communications, The Banff International Television Festival and Advertising Standards Canada. She was also Chair of the Joint Board of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters for three years.

Daniel Gélinas

General Manager
Le Festival d'été de Québec

Having graduated from the Université de Montréal with a degree in sociology and from the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières with a masters in recreation science, Daniel Gélinas initially worked as general manager of the Corporation de développement socio-économique de la MRC de Maskinongé.
In 1989, he took charge of the Orchestre symphonique de Trois-Rivières, and during his almost 10 years with the organization, made his mark by totally repackaging the concerts and by offering bold and original productions. The coordination of all elements― music, scenography, staging and advertising― worked together to help revitalize the orchestra. In recognition for his efforts, the local newspaper, Le Nouvelliste, named Daniel Gélinas Personality of the Week in 1994.

Going on to become general manager of the International de l’art vocal de Trois-Rivières, he worked to promote and expand this unique event from 1997 to 2001.

During this same period, Mr. Gélinas started his own company, Les Productions Daniel Gélinas Inc. in 1999, and has since taken on many different mandates for the production of shows, television programs and event management. In 2000, he came to Quebec City to take charge of the Festival de cinéma des 3 Amériques.

Two years later, as head of the Festival d'été international de Québec, he initiated bold new changes to programming, overhauled management practices and turned the financial situation around. With this major shift, the Quebec City Summer Festival today features top stars, attracts over one and one-half million visitors and has become Canada’s biggest outdoor performance event. Both Le Soleil and RadioCanada recognized his contribution by naming Daniel Gélinas Laureate of the Week in 2005 and again in 2007.

In January 2008, he accepted the urgent request from the mayor of Quebec City as well as from both levels of government to take charge of the Société du 400e anniversaire de Québec. Once again, he stepped in to make these celebrations an unqualified success, an achievement for which Daniel Gélinas was named the 2008 Personality of the Year by La Presse and Radio-Canada, 2008 Grand Laureate by Le Soleil and Radio-Canada, in addition to being named Laureate of the Week in July. He was also designated 2008 Tourism Personality of the Year at the Gala des Grands prix du tourisme – région de Québec and at the Gala des Grands prix du tourisme québécois 2009.
During this same year, he also received a Special Mention from the Chambre de commerce de Québec and the Tribute Award from Québec Festivals and Events. Daniel Gélinas also received the Médaille du Sénat from Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Speaker of the Senate and former Prime Minister of France.
Back with the Festival d’été international de Québec since November 2008, he is now building on the momentum generated by Quebec City’s 400th anniversary festivities to bring fresh impetus to this already extremely popular Festival.

In 2015, he became director of the RDV 2017 project with the company 3 E events, mandated by Rendezvous Naval de Québec to support the organization of this event as part of the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Canadian Confederation. From 29 June to 20 August 2017, the Maritimes, Quebec and Ontario will have the opportunity to host a major event: the tall ships from Europe and the Americas across the Atlantic to visit the new continent, the pretext being also a great race between England, Portugal, Bermuda, the cities of Boston, Quebec city and Le Havre in France. Thirty-seven Canadian cities were asked to host these vessels and allow their population to enjoy their single pass in Canadian waters.

David F Goldstein

President and Chief Executive Officer
Destination Canada

David has had a long and distinguished career in Canada’s tourism and media sectors. He has extensive experience in national leadership and strategic business planning as well as deep knowledge of communications and stakeholder (government, media and investors) relations.

Before joining the CTC in December 2014 as President and CEO, David led the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) from April 2010. At TIAC, David worked to increase industry alignment and has positioned the organization to forge a more forceful and credible voice for tourism issues at the national level. His long history in media and advocacy helped TIAC raise political awareness around tourism as one of the country’s leading export sectors, leading to key initiatives such as the Federal Tourism Strategy.

Previous to his work at TIAC, David spent over 14 years in the broadcast and media industry. From 2007 to 2010, David was CTVglobemedia’s Senior Vice-President, Regulatory Affairs, directing key elements of the strategic shift from analogue to digital media, driving the change from conventional TV advertising revenue to a subscription-based model and directing all of CTVglobemedia’s major regulatory and public-policy submissions.

From 2003 to 2007, David had senior roles at CHUM Limited. In his final year with the company, he was Vice-President, Government and Regulatory Affairs and led the process for mergers and acquisitions, including CHUM’s $1.7 billion acquisition by CTVglobemedia.

David began his senior media career at the Canadian Association of Broadcasters, one of Canada’s leading advocacy groups. There he developed pan-industry, government and stakeholder relations campaigns, organized cross-sector coalitions and framed key issues for regulators and MPs.
David has a Bachelor of Arts (Bilingual) in History and Political Science from York University. Away from work, he is a big fan of Canada’s farm-to-table movement and is a passionate amateur chef. David immerses himself in Canada’s winter experiences as an enthusiastic skier—but he has long since given up hope of keeping up with his kids.

Guy Laflamme

Executive Director
Ottawa 2017 Bureau

Guy Laflamme specializes in the creation, production and marketing of cultural, recreational and tourism products, with 25 years’ experience in the field.

He is Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau, an organization initiated by the City of Ottawa and responsible for the production of Canada’s 150th celebrations in Canada’s Capital. With the support of a multidisciplinary team, Mr. Laflamme will produce and promote a year long celebration with potential direct consumer spending of more than 300 Million dollars and over 11 million participants. The program will be composed of a variety of performing arts, sporting, social and large-scale events as well as legacy projects generating a lasting impact on the Ottawa region.

As Director General, Capital Experience, Department of Canadian Heritage, Guy Laflamme was responsible for the planning, development and implementation of commemorations and monuments, public art, visitor services, interpretation, educational programs and all special events and festivals (such as Winterlude, Canada Day, Christmas Lights Across Canada and the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill) within Canada’s Capital region.

From 2001 to September 2013 he was Senior Vice-President with the National Capital Commission being responsible for a variety of programs and functions over the years including: all Public Programs (Major Events, Visitor Services, Interpretation, Commemorations, Public Art, …), Official Residences, Communications, Marketing, and Broadcasting services. From 1996 to 2001, he was director of Marketing, Communications and Customer Service at the Casino Lac-Leamy, a high-end entertainment complex with annual revenues of over $100 million.

Mr. Laflamme has coordinated the development of numerous large-scale events and festivals such as Orchestras in the Park, Canada’s Capital 150th anniversary celebrations and Harmony 2000, a show televised on January 1st 2000 and seen by over one Billion people. Mr. Laflamme has also been the Executive Producer of Canada Day ceremonies in Ottawa, a show attended by over 200 000 people and broadcast to over 10 million. He acted as Chair of the JUNO host committee in 2003 and 2012, of the Genie Awards host committee in 2009 and presently Chairs the Federal Cultural Partners committee. He was responsible for the development of a new business model for Winterlude resulting in the creation of over 100 partnerships and reducing the investment made by the Government of Canada in the program. With expertise in large-scale multimedia productions he coordinated the creation of the Sound and Light shows: Mosaika and Ukiuk as well as the conception of a one square kilometer spectacle for the opening ceremonies of Winterlude from 2009 to 2012. Guy has attended festivals and events in over 25 different countries, providing a global perspective on best practices in the industry.

In 2007, Guy Laflamme received the University of Ottawa President’s Award. The same year, RadioCanada and LeDroit also named him “Personality of the Year” in the social community category, for the creation of Making Niger Our Business, a humanitarian project produced in West Africa with business students. In September 2005 the Telfer School of Management honored him with the Trudeau Medal, their most prestigious annual recognition award. In April 2004, he was voted Marketing Communications Personality of the Year, by Association Marketing of Montreal. He was also selected as tourism personality of the year for Ottawa in 2002 and for the Outaouais region in 2000.

Guy Laflamme is also a professor of marketing with the University of Ottawa’s undergraduate program and Executive MBA program. He also teaches abroad at the University of Bucharest in Romania since 2007 and was an instructor at the University of Nevada and Université du Québec in Outaouais for 3 years.

Guy Laflamme holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Ottawa, as well as a graduate diploma in commerce, administration and finance from the “École supérieure de commerce de Grenoble”. He also has a diploma in broadcasting from the École des animateurs de radiotelevision in Québec, and diplomas in pedagogy from “Université Laval” and Geology from the University of Ottawa.

Guy Laflamme sits on the World Board of the International Festival and Events Association and on the Board of Ottawa Tourism and the Ottawa Tourism Development Council.

His Worship Jim Watson

Mayor
City of Ottawa

Jim Watson was re-elected Mayor of the City of Ottawa on October 27, 2014 after having first been elected Mayor of the amalgamated City of Ottawa in 2010. Mayor Watson has dedicated most of his career to public service in Canada's Capital. First elected as a Councillor in 1991, he was re-elected in 1994. Three years later he was elected as the youngest Mayor in Ottawa's history with 82% of the popular vote. Following the amalgamation of Ottawa and surrounding communities, Mayor Watson was appointed the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Canadian Tourism Commission, a federal crown corporation. In 2003, he was elected as the Member of Provincial Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and immediately appointed to cabinet as Minister of Consumer and Business services. In 2005, he was appointed as Ontario's first Minister of Health Promotion and he successfully implemented the Smoke Free Ontario Act. Re-elected as MPP in 2007, he was promoted to Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. An active member of his community, Watson has also served on the boards or as honourary chair of several community organizations, including the Riverside Hospital, the National Arts Centre, the Christmas Exchange of Ottawa and the Forum for Young Canadians. He served as chair of United Way's 2002 campaign, which raised a record $21 million.

Jean Cloutier

Councillor, Alta Vista Ward
City of Ottawa

City Councillor for Alta Vista, Jean Cloutier was elected in October 2014.
Jean is Vice Chair of the City of Ottawa’s Audit Committee and is a member of the Environment and Planning Committees as well as the Transit Commission. He also serves as Co-Chair of the Ottawa 2017 initiative.

Jean, 57, has lived in Ottawa all his life and moved to Alta Vista 29 years ago.
As an active and dedicated community volunteer, he served as Director of Finance at the Canterbury Community Association and was elected President from 2010 to 2014.

Prior to his election, Jean was a Chartered Professional Accountant. He was Chief Financial Officer at Tubman Funeral Homes for 12 years. An avid movie fan and entrepreneur, Jean and his business partner purchased the Towne Cinema in 1983. They bought the Nelson Cinema on Rideau Street in 1988 and the popular ByTowne Cinema was born. In 1990, Jean sold his interest.
Jean and Sandra Cloutier have four children: Elizabeth, Katherine, Daniel and Emilie.

Katherine Henderson

Chief Executive Officer
Curling Canada

Katherine (Kathy) Henderson assumed her new role as Curling Canada’s Chief Executive Officer on April 1, 2016.

Previous to that time she was as Senior Vice-President, Marketing and Revenue for the Toronto 2015 Pan/Parapan American Games Organizing Committee where she played a significant role in, among other things, putting together the most successful non-Olympic sponsorship program in Canadian history involving a who’s who of Canada’s corporate community. She oversaw the negotiation of broadcast rights for the Games and, under her watch, the Pan/Parapan American Games broke records in attendance, ticket sales and television ratings. She worked directly with all levels of government promoting tourism initiatives that were award winning and, most importantly, drove significant increases in tourism spending and hotel occupancy. As well she led the creation of ad campaigns and opening and closing ceremonies that achieved all aggressive awareness and engagement measures.

Prior to that time, she spent seven years with the Whirlpool Corporation, filling various prominent leadership roles in marketing and general management for the Canadian and North American divisions. She has also worked in marketing/branding roles with other high-profile companies such as Colgate, Palmolive Canada, Campbell Soup Canada and General Mills Canada.

Michael Crockatt

President & CEO
Ottawa Tourism

Michael is a recognized leader in tourism and aviation in Canada. Prior to joining Ottawa Tourism, Michael served as Senior Vice President with InterVISTAS Consulting, where he was responsible for the firm’s airline, air service development, and tourism practices in Canada. Michael has over 15 years experience at the management level with two of Canada’s major airports, the Winnipeg Airports Authority and the Ottawa International Airport Authority.

Michael is very active within the tourism and transportation industries and other business groups. He is currently the Chair of the Board of Directors with the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce, the immediate past-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), a past-Chair of the Board of Directors of Ottawa Tourism and a past-Chair of the Tourism Development Council of Ottawa Tourism.

In 2013, Michael was named one of Airport Business Magazine’s Top 40 under 40. In 2012, he was a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, recognizing his contributions to Canada. At the 2011 Ottawa Tourism Awards, Michael was named Tourism Volunteer of the Year, and in 2010, he was a recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 Awards.

Michael has a Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Manitoba.

Nina Kressler

President & CEO
Shaw Centre

Nina assumed the role of President and CEO of the Shaw Centre on June 1, 2015. Prior to her appointment, Nina was the General Manager of the Centre’s Food and Facilities operation managed by Aramark Sports and Entertainment. A native of Halifax Nova Scotia, Nina has over 25 years of hospitality industry experience in senior positions in Hotels, Gaming and Entertainment, Convention and Congress Centres. With experience in both B2B and B2C sales and operations, Nina has led teams in all areas of the hospitality function. Nina began her career with the Sheraton Halifax Hotel as Director of Sales and Marketing, and moved on to senior sales and marketing and operations roles with Trade Centre Limited and the World Trade and Convention Centre Halifax as Vice President Sales and Marketing. In this role, Nina’s primary goal was to secure and introduce Halifax as a premier destination to host national and international conferences and events. Prior to moving to Ottawa to join the Shaw Centre team, Nina held the position of Vice President Business Development for the Toronto Congress Centre. Nina’s passion for always delivering an exceptional customer experience is engrained in her DNA and remains part of her personal brand each and every day.

Paul Ouimet

Managing Director
DestinationNEXT

Paul Ouimet is DMAI’s Managing Director of DestinationNEXT. During the past 18 years, he was one of three founding partners of InterVISTAS Consulting where he played a major role in building it into a multinational company with offices in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Brazil.

Paul has successfully delivered strategic plans and market development strategies for several DMOs, governments, destinations, non-profit organizations, hotels and airports around the world. He has completed DMO organization reviews and developed start-up plans and business plans for new ventures. He has facilitated over 100 planning retreats and led major several community consultation processes.

During the past 2 years, Paul has led the team which delivered DestinationNEXT, an important DMAI initiative on the future of DMOs. He developed the Future Map which identified the transformational opportunities and also created the scenario model and online assessment tool. He has spoken around the world on this new strategic roadmap for the DMO industry.

Steve Ball

President
Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association

After a long career in the publishing field Steve cut his teeth in the association business as a Vice President at the Canadian Medical Association. He joined the Ottawa Gatineau Hotel Association in 2014 and currently sits on a number of Boards including the Ottawa 2017 Bureau, Ottawa Tourism, and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.

Steve is married with 3 children.

The Honourable Bardish Chagger

Minister of Small Business and Tourism

The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Member of Parliament for Waterloo, was appointed Minister of Small Business and Tourism on November 4, 2015. A natural leader and organizer, Ms. Chagger is devoted to inclusion and community building. From assisting with recreational sports for kids to volunteering with seniors, she is committed to strengthening the bonds of the Waterloo community.

In her role with the Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre, Ms. Chagger has worked to foster diversity within the community, providing opportunities for social and economic engagement. As the former executive assistant to the Honourable Andrew Telegdi, she gained a deep understanding of the issues that are important to residents of Waterloo, including manufacturing, technology and innovation.

Passionate about community involvement, M. Chagger has lent her support to many different causes and organizations, including the Rotary Club of Waterloo, Interfaith Grand River and the Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin. She considers herself part of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms generation and has participated in policy conferences on many issues, including the advancement of same-sex marriage rights and the national manufacturing strategy.

The Minister graduated from the University of Waterloo with a Bachelor of Science. In 2012, The Waterloo Region Record recognized her as one of the “40 under 40” who would lead the Region of Waterloo into the future.