2026 Event Recap
2026 Tourism Summit & AGM Recap
October 19th – 21st, 2026
Lillooet, BC
Hosted in the community of Lillooet, the 2026 Tourism Summit & AGM brought together delegates from across the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and beyond to share knowledge, strengthen connections, celebrate achievements, and explore the future of tourism in our communities.
From engaging presentations and meaningful conversations to networking opportunities and industry recognition, the Summit and AGM highlighted the strength, resilience, and innovation of Cariboo Chilcotin Coast’s tourism industry. Thank you to our presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers, and attendees whose contributions helped make this year’s event a success.
View the Full 2026 Program Here: 2026 CCCT Summit & AGM Full Program
Event Speakers
Frances Ishii
Destination BC
Frances Ishii is the Manager, Events on Destination BC’s Partner & Market Development team, supporting both Travel Media and Travel Trade. At its core, her work is about creating opportunities for people to connect, and on the Travel Trade side that means bringing BC tourism businesses face to face with international buyers. She leads the BC Accelerator Program, which prepares BC tourism businesses to sell to international markets and connects them with buyers through a dedicated marketplace, as well as Team BC’s presence at Rendezvous Canada, the country’s premier international travel trade marketplace. A graphic designer by training, Frances brings a visual storytelling lens to every event she creates.
Sabrina Robson
Destination BC
As Manager, Travel Media Relations at Destination BC, Sabrina leads media relations activities across North America, connecting travel storytellers with the people, places and experiences that make British Columbia one of the world’s most compelling destinations. With 18 years of experience in tourism and more than a decade on Destination BC’s Media Relations team, Sabrina brings deep expertise in destination storytelling, strategic communications, media relations and public relations. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking with a glass of BC wine in hand, thrifting and hiking with her rescue pup, Georgie.
Nicholas Ning
CEO - Farpoint
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.
Terri Hadwin
Thompson-Nicola Film Commission
Terri Hadwin is a community leader with a wealth of knowledge of the Kamloops and Thompson-Nicola Region area. Her earlier career path included Early Childhood Education, where she was a pre-school teacher for a brief period of time, then found her passion working in tourism, the arts and non-profit work.
She works for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District as the Film Commissioner. The Thompson-Nicola Film Commission’s purpose is to represent the TNRD in film industry growth for the region. Encouraging film and media activity, supporting local culture, sharing information and resources for film productions and providing education or skill enhancing opportunities to residents wishing to be employed in the Motion Picture sector. Informing and supporting local residents on film location benefits and procedures.
She volunteers as Chair for the Kamloops Timeraiser Committee. Previous volunteer and Board engagement include, Volunteer Kamloops President, BC Alliance for Arts and Culture Secretary, Big Sisters, Scouts, Historic Hat Creek Ranch, Thompson Nicola Film Commission, BC Geocaching Association and New Pathways to Gold. Giving back to community is a driving force for her volunteer work.
Terri’s favourite pastimes are reading, watching movies, and attending art exhibits/concerts/theatre performances. Hiking with her husband and dogs is also a favourite way to spend her weekends. Her top favourite movies are: Mermaids, The Truman Show, Rocky, and Sin City.
Walt Judas
Walt was involved in the tourism industry for over 35 years, having worked at BC Pavco, Port Metro Vancouver, Tourism Vancouver, and the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC), from which he retired in April 2026.
In his last role as CEO of TIABC, Walt led multiple advocacy/policy files, set the strategic course for the organization, built relationships with members and industry stakeholders, and communicated the value of B.C.’s visitor economy to various constituents.
Before TIABC, Walt spent 15+ years at Tourism Vancouver as Vice President of Marketing Communications, Membership and Sport.
Over the course of his career, Walt held dozens of board and committee positions. Until his recent retirement, he served on tourism program advisory committees for Capilano University, Western Community College, and Vancouver Community College. He was a member of the City of Vancouver’s Sport Hosting Grant Committee. In 2021, Walt was appointed to the board of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and simultaneously served as Chair of the Provincial & Territorial Tourism Industry Association (PTTIA) until May 2025.
Walt holds a Bachelor of Hospitality Management Degree from Vancouver Community College (VCC), as well as a Diploma in Broadcast Communications Technology from the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT).
Having visited over 40 countries and every province in Canada, Walt loves to travel and especially enjoys visiting communities around British Columbia. For fun, he plays hockey and golf, cycles over 125 kms each week, and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Michelle Edwards
Operator Profile - Storyteller
Michelle Edwards is a former Chief of the communities of Sekw’el’was and Qu’iqten, whom she served for 12 years. With a background in Natural Resource Management and administration, Michelle is passionate about land stewardship and the protection of natural resources.
Chris Hathaway
Vista Reach
Chris and Alison are Marketing Specialists with Vista Reach who work with businesses and organizations to help share their message and reach their audience. Drawing on local knowledge and marketing expertise, they support clients with advertising solutions that connect communities across the Cariboo region and beyond.
Alison Warner
Vista Reach
Alison and Chris are Marketing Specialists with Vista Reach who work with businesses and organizations to help share their message and reach their audience. Drawing on local knowledge and marketing expertise, they support clients with advertising solutions that connect communities across the Cariboo region and beyond.
Speaker Presentations
Terri Hadwin – Synergies of Film and Tourism Industries
Walt Judas – Your Vote Counts. Your Voice Matters More
Award Winners
Best Tourism Marketing Initiative Award
The award for Best Tourism Marketing Initiative recognizes a person, business or organization for a marketing initiative, campaign or experience within the past three (3) years that successfully increased business and enhanced the tourism industry in the region. This award is seeking someone who has thought outside the box, keeps up with or leads modern marketing strategies and is enhancing the region’s tourism reputation.
Winner: Barkerville Historic Town and Park
Good Neighbour Award
The Good Neighbor Award recognizes a person, business or organization who drives positive collaboration, promotes being a better neighbor through action and is positively engaged in their local community/area. Seeking those who go above and beyond to positively impact responsible tourism development in the local community or the broader tourism industry.
Winner: 108 mile Heritage Site
Innovation in Tourism
Innovation in Tourism recognizes a person, business or organization who introduced an innovative new tourism business concept or experience to the tourism industry within the past five (5) years that achieved success for the innovator and supports the broader tourism industry. Nominations may include business, sustainability, technology or other innovations that advance the regional tourism industry.
Winner: Jakira Foundation
2026 Sponsors and Partners
A sincere thank you to our 2026 Tourism Summit & AGM sponsors. Their support played an important role in bringing the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast’s tourism community together to connect, learn, and celebrate our industry. Xwísten Experience Tours Discover Jade: Stories and History with George Vanderwolf Fort Berens Tour and Wine Tasting Tel: 250-256-7788 1881 Highway 99 North Tel: (250) 256-4118 59 Retasket Street, Lillooet Tel: (250) 291-0870 178 Mountainview Road, Lillooet Tel: (250) 256-4202 Tel: 250-256-2090 Tel: (250) 256-7511
Explore Lillooet: Thank you to Activity Providers
Pavilion Platinum
Fraser Canyon Gold
Seton Lake Silver
Bridge River Bronze
View our Online Auction Donor Gallery
Venue Partners
Fort Berens Estate Winery
Email: info@fortberens.ca
Fort BerensP’egp’ig’lha Community Centre
T’it’q’etRoyal Canadian Legion #66
Lillooetlegionbranch@gmail.com
FacebookAccommodation Partners
Reynolds Hotel – 1237 Main Street
Email: info@reynoldshotel.com
Reynolds Hotel WebsiteRetasket Lodge and RV Park – 1264 Bouvette Rd
Email: frontdesk@retasketlodge.com
Retasket LodgeCanada’s Best Value Inn Mile-0-Motel – 616 Main Street
Canada’s Best Value Inn Mile-0-Motel Website
Photo Album
Please reach out to agm@landwithoutlimits.com or 250-392.2226 if you’re interested in 2027 Sponsorship or have any questions.