Media Releases
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Four Tourism Whistler Board Seats Filled by Acclamation
Whistler, B.C. – Tourism Whistler held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Hilton Whistler on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Four positions on the Tourism Whistler Board of Directors were up for election this year, all of which were filled by acclamation.
In the category of Director at Large, the successful nominee was incumbent, Murray Lowe, General Manager of the Westin Whistler Resort & Spa.
In the category of Multi-Managed Lodging – Other, the successful nominee was incumbent, Chris Vick, General Manager of the Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa.
In the category of Multi-Managed Lodging - Village, the successful nominee, who is new to the Tourism Whistler Board, was Robert Simpson, General Manager of the Pinnacle Hotel Whistler.
In the category of Single-Managed Lodging–Large, the successful nominee was Ken Hall, General Manager of the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, another new member joining the Tourism Whistler Board.
“Fortunately, the positive rebound of tourism continued throughout 2023. Despite escalating labour costs, shortages of affordable housing for staff, high inflation, and the rising costs of doing business, top line revenues were strong and Whistler’s vibrancy returned as hotel occupancies climbed to more typical levels,” said Norm Mastalir, Chair of Tourism Whistler’s Board of Directors.
“Future-proofing Whistler, from the perspectives of community livability and the visitor economy is a resort-wide priority,” he added.
After 12 years on the Tourism Whistler Board of Directors in the position of Single-Managed Lodging–Large, including four years as Chair, Mastalir will be stepping down from the Tourism Whistler Board, with the Annual General Meeting being his last meeting.
“As I reflect back on all we have accomplished together as an organization and as a destination, I feel incredibly proud,” Mastalir said.
Director Kevin Small, who filled the position of Multi-Managed Lodging–Village, is also leaving the Board due to an employment change taking him back to the city. I would also like to welcome Steve Seatle to the Board, Regional Director, Vacasa, as Director in the category of Multi-Managed Lodging – Benchlands.”
Steve Seatle, Canadian Director for Vacasa, and the current Vice-Chair of the Tourism Whistler Board, will become the new Chair of the Board at the June board meeting, noting he sits in the position of Multi-Managed Lodging–Benchlands.
Tourism Whistler is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors—seven elected and six appointed, with 12 voting members and one Ex-Officio non-voting member.
On behalf of Tourism Whistler’s Members, the Board of Directors establishes the vision and mission, and approves the objectives, strategic priorities and budgets, ensuring the fulfillment of the organization’s mission and the association’s continued financial viability.
Tourism Whistler Board nominees do not have to be members of Tourism Whistler; however, they must be nominated by at least two members in good standing. All elected Directors serve a two-year term. The term served by the appointed Directors is determined by the organizations they represent.
The current Tourism Whistler Board of Directors is as follows:
Positions Filled by Acclamation:
Multi-Managed Lodging – Benchlands:
Steve Seatle (new Chair of the Board)
Single-Managed Lodging - Large:
Ken Hall
Single-Managed Lodging - Small:
Saad Hasan
Multi-Managed Lodging - Other:
Chris Vick
Multi-Managed Lodging - Village:
Robert Simpson
Director-at-Large:
Murray Lowe
Commercial Director:
Nadia Demers
Appointed:
Resort Municipality of Whistler:
Jack Crompton
Virginia Cullen
Whistler Blackcomb:
Belinda Trembath
Rosalie Rougeot
Tourism Whistler:
President & CEO Barrett Fisher
Ex-Officio:
John Grills
Tourism Whistler members can access information about the organization and all of its efforts, including a comprehensive 2021 Annual Report, on the Tourism Whistler member website at whistler.com/members .
-30-
Tourism Whistler is the official member-based destination tourism organization representing Whistler, and operator of the Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler Visitor Centre, as well as 1.800.WHISTLER and whistler.com – Whistler’s official source for visitor information and bookings. Tourism Whistler represents more than 8,000 members who own, manage and operate properties or businesses on Resort Lands including hotels, restaurants, activity operators and retail shops.
Media can visit whistler.com/media for Whistler facts, media releases, story starters and access to images and B-roll.
Media Contacts:
Nikki Johnston Beaudoin
Specialist, Communications
T: 604.938.2726
E: njohnston@tourismwhistler.com
W: www.whistler.com/media
F: www.facebook.com/GoWhistler
I: www.instagram.com/GoWhistler/