As work progresses on creating a new, unified tourism organization, the chair of Tourism Penticton is stepping down from her position.
“Our board meeting is on Monday and yes, I will be stepping back as chair at that time. I have discussed it with the board,” said Diana Stirling, who also owns and operates LocoLanding Adventure Park, late last week,
But Stirling said it is successes, not disappointments, that drove the timing of her decision. She said she wants to be able to give 100 per cent and she is being pulled in a couple of different directions right now.
“Where we are at now is where we have worked so hard to get to,” said Stirling. “The organization as a whole is doing fantastic. We have a strong executive director, we have strong results.”
Stirling said the merger with the Penticton Hospitality Association has been the main focus of her work as chair, after taking the chair when previous chair Max Picton was elected to city council.
Though it wasn’t stated often, Stirling said creating a single destination marketing organization was desired by previous tourism executive boards as well.
“We all wanted one organization, and I am so happy that we are so close,” said Stirling.
The new organization is expected to be formed by this fall, and Stirling said it is time for new leadership as her focus turns to LocoLanding’s busy summer season. Stirling said incoming chair Jessica Dolan, who is vice-chair, usually steps in during the summer and takes on the majority of the workload while she is busy with the adventure park.
“Knowing how important this next stage is, I felt she should have the official title this time, instead of me being chair and her doing the work,” said Stirling. “When my season at LocoLanding is on, it is on. I can’t give 100 per cent to Tourism Penticton then.”
When the new organization is formed, Stirling said she would like to still be involved.
“To my knowledge, all of the directors on the Tourism Penticton side feel the same,” said Stirling. “We have put so much heart into this we are pretty excited to be one organization and to be part of that new scene.”
Former vice-chair, Dolan, is the general manager of the Ramada Penticton Hotel and Suites and was unanimously voted into the role as chair.
“I am very proud to take on the role of Chair of Tourism Penticton’s board and looking forward to working closely with the PHA in the coming months to create a unified and sustainable tourism organisation that will better serve all of our tourism stakeholders,” said Dolan.
Ian MacDonald, owner of Liquidity Wines will be taking over the role of vice chair and Cameron Smith and Laura Hunt were re-elected to their roles as treasurer and secretary.