Sponsorship

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible sponsors who made this year’s Tourism Summit possible. Your generous support helps us celebrate our region, inspire new adventures, and build a thriving future for tourism.

 

 

 

Program

Friday, October 17th

5:00 PM – Registration desk opens at the Welcome Reception happening at the Lhtako Dene Nation Long House (1805 Lust Rd, Quesnel, BC V2J 4N2)

5:30 – 8:00 PM – Welcome Reception

Saturday, October 18th

7:30 – 8:00 AM – Doors Open and Breakfast at Quesnel Arts & Rec Centre in the West Fraser Timber Room (500 N Star Rd, Quesnel, BC V2J 5P6)

8:00 – 8:30 AM – Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:30 – 12:00 PM – Speaker Presentations

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch

1:00 – 2:00 PM – Operator Profile

2:15 – 3:00 PM – CCCTA Annual General Meeting

3:00 – 4:00 PM – Tourism Town Hall

4:00 – 5:00 PM – Free Time

5:00 – 5:45 PM – Doors open for Cocktails and Networking at Billy Barker Casino (308 McLean St, Quesnel, BC V2J 2N9)

6:00 – 7:30 PM – Dinner

7:30 – 10:00 PM – Presentation of Board & Awards followed by networking

Sunday, October 19th 

8:00 – 8:30 AM – Breakfast at Quesnel Arts & Rec Centre in the West Fraser Timber Room (500 N Star Rd, Quesnel, BC V2J 5P6)

8:30 – 9:00 AM – Opening Remarks

9:00 – 12:00 PM – Speaker Presentations

12:00 – 1:00 PM – Lunch & Draw for free registration for the 2026 Tourism Summit & AGM

Click here for a more detailed program: Full AGM & Summit Program

Speaker Profiles

Nicholas Ning, CEO of Farpoint

Session Description: AI isn’t just about automation, it’s about transformation. In this session, we demystify what AI really is, how it’s already shaping our work behind the scenes, and what it means for the future of roles, creativity, and decision making

Speaker Bio: Nicholas Ning is a serial entrepreneur with a background in mechatronics systems engineering and an MBA from MIT Sloan. Over the past decade, he has built a reputation for bringing unique lateral perspectives to problem solving, having worked in a variety of industries including finance, ag-tech, software/hardware, fashion, and the culinary arts. Today, he is best known as the founder and CEO of Farpoint, a global AI consulting firm helping enterprises across industries leverage AI to stay ahead, expand imaginations and transform work.

Dave Jorgenson & Cheryl Macarthy, Owners of White Gold Adventures, Frog on the Bog, and Historic Stays

Session Description: Dave will talk about the journey in tourism, how knowing next to nothing about a business can actually be helpful, and how and why supporting the community, sustainability and conservation lead to business and personal rewards that only deepened their connection to their clients and built their success in unexpected ways.

Speaker Bios: Dave Jorgenson and Cheryl Macarthy moved to Wells in 1998 and soon their original company, Whitegold Adventures, acquired a license to guide on the Bowron Lakes chain. That was only the beginning of what became a 27-year love affair with Wells and the Cariboo Mountains including Barkerville and the Bowron. In the ensuing years, they created the Bear’s Paw Cafe, the Frog On the Bog Gifts, and ‘Historic Stays’. On the way, they won numerous awards for creative marketing, programming, stewardship, and customer service, including “Outside the Box”, and  “Best Tourism Marketing” Awards from the CCCTA and a Land Stewardship award from the Wilderness Tourism Association. They also discovered the complexity of community and how supporting others amplifies customer experiences in ways that circle back, bring organic benefits to businesses, and creates healthy rewards for our entire community.

 

Walt Judas & Cassandra Zerebeski, Tourism Industry Association of BC

Session Description: Walt and Cassandra will discuss the most pressing issues facing BC’s visitor economy this year and how TIABC is working with tourism industry stakeholders and all levels of government to find solutions and leverage opportunities. He’ll address concerns around land use planning and tenure security, aging infrastructure, lack of funding for marketing and tourism emergency management, BC’s tenuous investment climate, outdated agri-tourism regulations, and more. Walt will also be looking to engage Summit delegates in a conversation about advocacy priorities for tourism operators in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region.

Speaker Bio: Walt has been involved in the tourism industry for over 35 years, having worked at BC Pavco, Port Metro Vancouver, and Tourism Vancouver prior to joining the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) in May 2015. As CEO, Walt leads multiple advocacy/policy files, sets the strategic course for TIABC, builds relationships with members and industry stakeholders, and communicates the value of B.C.’s visitor economy to various constituents.

Cassandra Zerebeski is a strategic tourism leader with nearly three decades of experience in marketing, partnerships, destination and business development. She now serves as Policy Director for the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) and Executive Director of the Wilderness Tourism Association (WTA), advancing policies and programs that strengthen B.C.’s tourism and wilderness adventure sectors. 

 

Alison McKay, Vice President of Destination Management at Destination British Columbia

Session Description: Alison will present on Destination British Columbia’s new Iconics for our region, Nature’s Heartland and The Infinite Coast.

Speaker Bio: As the VP of Destination Management for Destination British Columbia, Alison is responsible for our destination management programs and efforts with a focus on supporting the revitalization of a strong and sustainable tourism sector in the province.  Alison leads the Destination Management team in implementing annual plans, programs and projects; works with the Executive team to support corporate-wide projects, such as Invest in Iconics, Destination Stewardship, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility; and collaborates with Indigenous Tourism BC on projects specific to Indigenous communities.

Accommodations

The following Cariboo Chilcotin Coast partners are offering special rates for your stay during the Summit:

Prestige Riverside Lodge

753 Front Street | 250-992-7247

King Rooms: $149.95 plus tax | Double Queen $159.95 plus tax

All rooms include a FREE hot breakfast

Sandman Hotel

940 Chew Road | 250-747-3511

Rates starting at $121 plus tax

Book Via Phone:

Please refer to Block Code 2501CCCTA or 504688, when your group calls our Central Reservation at 1800-SANDMAN (726-3626 ) or Front Desk at (250) 747-3511 to book their room

Via Sandman Hotel Website:

• Visit www.sandmanhotels.com
• Select the Sandman Hotel, Quesnel, Date and click “Book Now”
• Click the “Add Code” and select “Web Group Code”.
• Type 2501CCCTA and click “ADD”
• Click “Select & Go to the next step”
• Choose and book your preferred room type

Please note that a Credit Card is required to hold the room and upon check in

Best Western Tower Inn

500 Reid Street | 250-992-2201

Rates starting at $145 plus tax

Billy Barker Casino Hotel

308 McLean Street | 250-992-5533

Rates starting at $130 plus tax

Guest must call front desk directly to receive discount rate. Online bookings will not receive discounts. Must have credit card to book. Call 250-992-5533 and quote Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association AGM & Summit to book a room

More accommodations may be listed, stay tuned to this page. If you are an accommodator, please let us know if you would like to offer guests of the event a place to stay.

Questions or more information needed? Please contact agm@landwithoutlimits.com or 250.392.2226