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

Terry Hood, General Manager

With extensive industry experience including tourism planning, development work with BC First Nations, and several years at the Pacific Rim Institute of Tourism (PRIT), Terry is responsible for managing LinkBC operations. He has been pleased to support the development of this provincial knowledge network over the last seven years. Terry acts as a liaison with industry and education partners, and coordinates ongoing curriculum updates to the BC Tourism Learning System.

Morgan Westcott, Communications

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. Her role is to raise the profile of LinkBC partners while acting as manager of the Tourism Online Resource Centre. Morgan manages LinkBC's communications strategy including print and electronic newsletters, e-blasts, brochures, web development, and trade promotions.

LinkBC Advisory Board

Staff receive guidance from an advisory board comprised of LinkBC's education partners and funders. In 2012, the board will be expanded to include student and industry representatives. The current board consists of:

Harley Elias, North Island College

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.

Kimberly Johnstone, Thompson Rivers University

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.

Bob Falle, Selkirk College

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.

Gilles Valade, Thompson Rivers University

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.