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Events and Awards > Roundtable Series > Atlantic Canada Regional Roundtable
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Atlantic Canada Regional Roundtable

Tuesday, May 13, 2025
St. John's, NL

Sheraton Hotel Newfoundland
115 Cavendish Square St. John's, Canada, A1C 3K2

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) Regional Roundtable is a strategic gathering designed to bring together national, regional, and local tourism stakeholders. This forum fosters collaboration, aligns priorities, and explores key opportunities and challenges shaping the industry. Delegates will engage in high-level discussions, share insights, and work toward actionable solutions that drive sustainable growth and resilience in Canada’s tourism sector.

Make your hotel reservation for the Atlantic Canada Regional Roundtable.

Tourism Roundtables and Café Circle Event Agenda

(Details to come as they are confirmed.)

Time

Event
8:30 a.m.–9 a.m. Registration
9 a.m.–9:20 a.m.

Welcoming Ceremony & Opening Remarks

  • Matthew Jelley, Board of Directors, Tourism Industry Association of Canada  
  • Daphne March, Cultural Welcome  
  • Paul Bugge, CEO, Destination St. John’s 
  • Craig Foley, President & CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador
9:20 a.m.–9:30 a.m.

TIAC Update 
9:30 a.m.–10:30 a.m.

Panel Discussion: Regional Issues Forum + Q&A 

How are provincial organizations helping you grow your business? Join TIAC and a panel of regional tourism leaders as they highlight the work they are doing and how it impacts you in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. 

Panellists: 

  • Craig Foley, President & CEO, Hospitality Newfoundland & Labrador  
  • Kevin Toth, Chairman of the Board, Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia 
  • Paul Bugge, CEO, Destination St. John’s 
  • Michaela Kent, Executive Director, Parks Canada 
  • Carol-Ann Gilliard, Assistant Deputy Minister, Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Caroline Swan, Executive Director, Newfoundland & Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association
  • Patrick Dorsey, Vice-President, Prince Edward Island & Tourism, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
     

 Moderator: Matthew Jelley, Board of Director, Tourism Industry Association of Canada 
10:30 a.m.–11:45 a.m.

Roundtable Discussions: Join national and regional industry leaders, including our panellists, from these organizations to delve deeper into specific industry topics and share perspectives from your region. 

  • Destination Canada
  • Destination St. John’s
  • GreenStep Solutions
  • Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
  • Indigenous Tourism Industry Association of Canada
  • Newfoundland & Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association
  • Parks Canada
  • Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation, Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Tourism HR Canada
  • Tourism Industry Association of Canada
  • Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m.

Report-Back Session: Roundtable facilitators report back on the top three takeaways from the roundtable discussions.   
12:15 p.m.–1:15 p.m.

Networking Lunch (Sponsored by Destination St. John's)
1:15 p.m.–2 p.m.

Belong Panel Discussion: Unpacking Local Support to Tourism Workplace Accessibility and Inclusion + Q&A 

Join this dynamic panel discussion featuring local service providers dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in finding meaningful employment in the tourism sector. Panelists will share their organizations’ unique programs and services and highlight how they collaborate with tourism businesses to promote inclusive hiring practices. Attendees will hear success stories, learn about practical resources available in their regions, and leave with actionable steps to foster more accessible and welcoming workplaces. 

Panellists: 

  • Lainy Dow, Ready, Willing and Able 
  • Petra Chaffey-Johnson, Easter Seals NL 
  • Amanda Lush, EmpowerNL 
  • Melanie Wells, CCRW  

Moderator: Jasmine Qi, Director, Workforce Inclusion, Tourism HR Canada
2 p.m.–2:15 p.m.

Destination Canada Brief
2:15 p.m.–3:05 p.m.

Panel Discussion: National Issues Forum + Q&A 

How are national organizations helping your business to drive sustainable growth and resilience? Join TIAC and a panel of national tourism leaders as they discuss pressing tourism challenges and opportunities on a national scale.   

Panellists:  

  • Caroline Séguin, SVP Industry Advancement, Destination Canada 
  • Philip Mondor, President and CEO, Tourism HR Canada 
  • Christine Loth-Bown, Vice-President, External Relations and Visitor Experience, Parks Canada
  • Tara Saunders, Director of Business Development, Indigenous Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Moderator: Matthew Jelley, Board of Directors, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
3:05 p.m.–3:10 p.m.

Closing Remarks
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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