Governance, Management and Adminstration
Tourism Fernie:
• is an industry-led, non-profit society( S-52945) formally established in 2007 along with the implementation of the hotel tax( now labelled MRDT).
• is the Eligible Entity for the local 3 % MRDT( funds go directly to Tourism Fernie from Province, less fees, and, provincial tourism event program participation). o MRDT is the Municipal & Regional District Tax, a legislated provincial tax similar to the PST, but restricted to accommodations under 27-night stays. The tax is collected from all travelers staying at the accommodations. The accommodators collect the tax and submit to the Ministry of Finance monthly. There are rules on how the MRDT is spent – view current guidelines.
• became the Eligible Entity for the MRDT on February 1, 2017. Prior to that the MRDT funds were transferred to Tourism Fernie via the Regional District of East Kootenay( less a nominal admin fee).
• increased its MRDT from 2 % to 3 % on January 1, 2020.
• is a Community Destination Marketing / Management Organization( CDMO).
• is responsible for the management, administration, and governance of the entire MRDT funds and the Tourism Fernie overall strategic plan and budget.
Tourism Fernie is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing industry stakeholders. Each voting Board Member sits for two-year terms with the ability to be re-elected for up to 4 terms:
• 5 MRDT Accommodators with 4 or more units
• 4 Directors at Large( Members not under above category)
• Municipal and Chamber Liaisons to the Board( Non-Voting)
2023-2024 Board of Directors( as of April 2023 AGM and until April 2024 AGM)
Reto Barrington, Chair |
Fernie RV Resort |
MRDT Accom 4 + units |
Jeremiah Pauw, Vice Chair |
Fernie Fox Hotel |
MRDT Accom 4 + units |
Mark Ormandy, Treasurer |
Slopeside Lodge & Fernie Alpine Resort |
MRDT Accom 4 + units |
Jon Ward, Secretary |
Red Tree Lodge |
MRDT Accom 4 + units |
Sadie Howse |
Raging Elk Adventure Lodging |
MRDT Accom 4 + units |
Andrew Hayden |
Fernie Distillers |
Director at Large / Non-Accom |
Sydney Salvador |
The Chopstick Truck |
Director at Large / Non-Accom |
Alan Young |
Re / Max Elk Valley Realty |
Director at Large / Non-Accom |
Dave Hozjan |
Elk River Mountain Homes |
Director at Large / Non-Accom |
Next AGM is April 4, 2024 at the Best Western PLUS Fernie Mountain Lodge visit TourismFernieAGM. com Liaisons to the Board:
City of Fernie, Councilor / Mayor |
Unassigned Currently |
Non-Voting |
Fernie Chamber of Commerce |
Wendy McDougall |
Non-Voting |
Tourism Fernie Staff
Jikke Gyorki |
Executive Officer |
Christine Grimble |
Media / Travel Trade / Projects Manager |
Brona Kekenakova |
Marketing Manager |
Corien Sieders |
Destination Management & Development Manager( NEW) |
Emily Williams |
Social Media, Content & Digital Marketing Coordinator |
Rebecca Hall |
Admin & Marketing Coordinator |
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