88 local tourism stakeholders and businesses participated in the event at the Fernie Golf Club.

Not held in-person since 2019, Tourism Fernie's annual general meeting with guest speakers, networking and a social event was filled to capacity on April 4th.  The day began with Tourism Fernie's treasurer, Reto Barrington, opening the event and welcoming all the attendees and VIPs along with a Ktunaxa Nation land acknowledgement. 

Attendees included a diversity of local business owners from accommodators, restaurants, attractions, activity operators, retailers and more.  Also in attendence was RDEK Area A Director Thomas McDonald, Deputy Mayor Kevin McIssac who provided an opening speech, City Councillors Nixon & Audie-Kelly, City CAO Michael Boronowski, Chamber ED Wendy McDougall, TC Energy's Community Relations Advisor Teresa Sydenham, and Avalanche Canada Foundation's Vice President Keenan Cannady. Tourism Fernie also welcomed guest speakers Kirby Brown, CEO of Sea & Sky Gondola & Chair of Tourism Squamish, Darlene Jehn, VP Development & Planning of BASECAMP Resorts and Danielle Spooner, VP Operations of BASECAMP Resorts.

View the image gallery above from the event!

The day's event was split into two sections, with the formal AGM, presentations and guest speakers during the day at Cast Iron Grill, the Clubhouse restaurant at the Fernie Golf Club, and the industry social event held at the Fernie Taphouse downtown later in the day.  The first section began with Reto introducing the Tourism Fernie board of directors and staff, followed by a presentation about 2022's efforts and work from staff members Jikke, Christine and Brona. 

View Tourism Fernie Presentation

View Tourism Fernie's 2022 Annual Report

Following some Q&A, a complimentary lunch buffet was next as Tourism Fernie's formal annual general meeting agenda took place. Attendees enjoyed the great meal from Scott and Penny of Cast Iron Grill and Cook's Catering.  The AGM was chaired by Tourism Fernie's Vice Chair Mark Ormandy from Slopeside Lodge and Fernie Alpine Resort.  In addition to approving past AGM minutes, the agenda, and the 2022 Annual Report, a presentation of the 2022 audited financial statements completed by GPI Accounting was done by treasurer Reto Barrington. 

Prior to the AGM nominations for board seats took place.  Six of the nine seats were available this year, and as per the bylaws a nomination process was conducted which resulted in six nominations being received and approved by the board prior to the AGM. Tourism Fernie's electoral officer Graemen Nunn from Rockies Law presented the details of the process, the fact that an election was not required, and named the new board.

The new board of directors for 2023-2024 are:

MRDT Accommodators with 4+ Units:

Reto Barrington – Fernie RV Resort / Jeremiah Pauw – Fernie Fox Hotel / Mark Ormandy – Slopeside Lodge / Sadie Howse – Raging Elk Adventure Lodging / Andrew Wilhelm – Lizard Creek Lodge

Directors-at-Large (members not classified under above category):

Andrew Hayden – Fernie Distillers / Sydney Salvador – The Chopstick Truck / Alan D Young – Personal Real Estate Corporation / Dave Hozjan – Elk River Mountain Homes

The formal AGM portion of the agenda ended with recognitions to board of directors that stepped down over the past year including Steven Szelei of Parastone Developments, Pam Peters of Earth's Own Naturals, Chris Mullin of Fernie Central Reservations and Kurt Saari of Nevados Restaurant.  Minutes of the formal AGM, 2022 audited financials are available upon request.

After a short break, Jikke Gyorki, Tourism Fernie's Executive Officer introduced the first guest speaker Kirby Brown. Kirby is the CEO of Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, BC and also the Chair of Tourism Squamish.  The hour long speech was highly received by the attendees.  Kirby spoke about tourism community growth, sustainability, working together and other important challenges such as managing growth and housing.  He didn't have a power point presentation, however an audio recording of his presentation was made from local freelance journalist Scott Tibballs. The recording was done for the purpose of writing an article on the event and not for officially sharing but we reviewed the recording and Kirby okayed sharing it.

Listen to Kirby Brown's Speech (includes his bio) - Dropbox link

After another short break, Jikke introduced Darlene Jehn and Danielle Spooner from BASECAMP Resorts.  The Resort company is building a new accommodation development in Fernie next to Canadian Tire and the Elk River with plans to break ground this summer. 

View BASECAMP Presentation and speaker bios - Dropbox Link

Following the guest speakers were closing remarks and thank yous.  Everyone was reminded of the tourism industry social at the Fernie Taphouse that would include complimentary appetizers and quick updates from Island Lake Lodge, Tunnel49 and the new Fernie RibFest event coming in September from Rotary Club.

The social event was equally attended as the earlier AGM but allowed for a more casual atmosphere with a focus on networking.  A variety of local businesses and partners donated draw prizes (thank you!) including Fernie Distillers, Fernie Brewing Co, Happy Cow Ice Cream, Hike Fernie, TC Energy, Island Lake Lodge, The Fernie Taphouse, The Pub at Park Place Lodge, BASECAMP Resorts and the Fernie Fox Hotel.

A big thanks also to Stemhouse Flowers, Cast Iron Grill and The Fernie Taphouse!

For more information about the event please contact us.