LinkBC

About LinkBC

LinkBC is a value-added service organization working with tourism and hospitality programs across British Columbia, Canada.

Our mission:

To strengthen British Columbia's competitive edge as a tourism destination by connecting faculty, students, and graduates of the BC Tourism Learning System to the industry and communities.

Our vision:

To ensure British Columbia leads the world in Tourism and Hospitality Education.

What We Do

To achieve these aims, LinkBC leverages the strength of its education network towards the following goals. Click on a title to learn more:

Provide StudentConnect programs and services.
Promote BC as a tourism learning destination.
Gather and share tourism knowledge and resources.
Communicate with and engage stakeholders.

For a copy of our Strategic Plan, click here.

LinkBC Staff

Morgan Westcott, General Manager

A graduate of the tourism learning system (BCIT), Morgan holds a BA in English, an MA in Tourism Management, and management-level experience in cultural tourism promotions, food & beverage operations, and special events. Morgan manages LinkBC's projects and events including the annual Case Competition, Student-Industry Rendezvous, Project Change, and the Study Tourism in BC Marketing Plan. She also helms the organization's communications strategy including print and electronic newsletters and reports, social media, e-blasts, brochures, web development, and trade promotions.

LinkBC will be posting a new support staff position in Summer of 2013. Stay abreast of the latest team developments by following us at facebook.com/LinkBC or twitter.com/linkbc.

LinkBC Advisory Board

Staff receive guidance from an advisory board comprised of LinkBC's education partners and key funder(s).The board follows Policies and Procedures as outlined here (click for PDF).

The current board consists of (from left to right):

Dr. Chris Bottrill, Capilano University, Host Institution Representative

(Left). Dr. Bottrill is the Dean of the Faculty of Global and Community Studies at Capilano University, Host Institution for LinkBC. He has over 20 years of experience in tourism ranging from tour guiding experience in 22 countries to over 40 major tourism planning projects in Canada, the USA, Central America and the Caribbean and he over 15 years teaching experience in tourism and outdoor recreation. Dr. Bottrill has taught in the University of Colorado, Victoria University of Wellington, NZ, Capilano University, and Royal Roads University. He has strong research interests in tourism inter-organizational relations, product development and environmental stewardship with associated publications and presentations to his credit.

Bob Falle, Selkirk College, Hospitality Programs Representative

(Middle). With extensive industry experience dating back more than three decades, Bob is the current chair of Selkirk College's School of Hospitality & Tourism, where he oversees programs including Cook Training Professional, Golf Club Operations Online Certificate, Resort and Hotel Management, and Ski Resort Operations and Management.

Harley Elias, North Island College, Tourism Programs Representative

(Second from left). Based at NIC's Campbell River Campus, Harley has a broad-ranging background in tourism education, market research, hospitality consulting, resort operations and management. He served as Chair of NIC's Tourism & Hospitality Department and has been instrumental in expanding the program and introducing exciting work experience models for NIC students. In addition to an extensive teaching and industry background, Harley also served on the industry-led board of directors of Tourism British Columbia from 2005 to 2009.

Amy Frew, Selkirk College Graduate/Whistler Blackcomb, Graduate/Industry Rep

In her current role as an Employee Experience Officer at Whistler Blackcomb, Amy is responsible for monitoring and arbitrating progressive discipline and dismissal decisions, coaching managers and supervisors through Employee Relations, and mediating between employees in conflict situations for a staff roster of over 3000 people. Amy is also responsible for developing and facilitating Whistler Blackcomb's in-house training and development program (The Learning Curve) along with serving as the project leader for all aspects of the Whistler Blackcomb Employee Opinion Survey. Her background includes exemplary performance in the Selkirk College Ski Report Operations Management (SROAM) program, and a secondment to work with VANOC for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Richard Lewis, Tourism BC/Ministry Representative

(Middle). Richard is the Director, Sector Development and City Destinations at Tourism British Columbia, a role he has held since 2008. Prior to his current role Richard worked as the Market Development Manager for North America. With over 30 years experience working at Tourism BC, Richard has extensive knowledge of product development, market segments, industry trends and challenges faced by the sector.

Not pictured:

Gilles Valade, Thompson Rivers University, Adventure Programs Representative

(Second from right).Gilles is Chair of the Adventure Studies Department at TRU and teaches in the areas of adventure tourism, business, accounting, and risk management. Prior to joining TRU in 1998, Gilles worked as an adventure guide, an economic development officer with the government of New Brunswick, and an insurance underwriter. Gilles serves on the board of the Wilderness Tourism Association of British Columbia and as the chair of the BC Adventure Tourism Programs Articulation Committee. Gilles also operates his own adventure and tourism consulting firm and is a partner in an insurance and risk management consulting firm.

Kimberly Johnstone, Thompson Rivers University, Culinary Representative

(Back right). Kimberly is a Trade Certified graduate of the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary and member of the Okanagan Chef's Association and the CFCC. She brings over 18 years of industry experience and positions in first class kitchens of Canada and varied international experience having traveled throughout Asia and Australia. Kimberly serves as the chair of the BC Culinary Programs Articulation Committee.