Sun Peaks resident to join board of Destination BC

A Sun Peaks resident will be helping to guide one of the country’s largest marketing outfits.

Sun Peaks Resort LLP (SPR) chief financial officer Amy Blakeney has been appointed to a three-year term on the board of Destination BC, a crown corporation responsible for marketing B.C.’s tourism destinations in Canada and abroad.

Blakeney has over 20 years of public and private sector experience in senior financial roles in commercial real estate, insurance, healthcare and tourism.

“I’ve worked in many sectors across my 20-plus year career, and tourism has certainly captured my heart,” said Blakeney. “This is certainly a way for me to give back to the industry at a critical time.”

Blakeney said she sees the challenges facing the industry first-hand in her role with Sun Peaks.

“We had a very strong summer and we’re looking forward to a new normal for our tourism operations in the winter,” she said. “But I think overall, for the tourism industry, it’s a long road to recovery.”

As one of nine board members, Blakeney will help supervise the organization’s management and develop strategic goals.

The board is also responsible for ensuring appropriate fiscal and management policies, that controls and accountabilities are in place, as well as approving the annual budget and service plan for the organization.

Destination BC’s annual budget is $51.3 million for 2020 year, which is slightly down from $52.6 million in 2019.

Blakeney said she was asked to apply for the position after being approached by someone with the organization.

She added that the selection process was extensive. It was conducted by the Crown Agencies and Board Resourcing Office, which oversees the recruitment and recommendation of candidates for appointments to all crown corporations, agencies, boards and commissions in B.C.

Eventually, Blakeney was appointed by Lisa Beare, the province’s minister of tourism, arts and culture. Blakeney’s three year appointment will be in effect until July 2023.

Blakeney moved to Sun Peaks from Halifax in the summer of 2015 with her partner and three children.

Her two youngest children attend Sun Peaks Elementary School, while her eldest is now at NorKam Senior Secondary School.

“We’re very much a part of the community up here,” she said.

Blakeney added that Destination BC will be hiring a new chief executive officer and that she is excited to contribute to the recovery of the tourism industry.

“I think [Destination BC] will play a really strong role in the recovery of the tourism industry,” she said. “This role, being able to combine my background and my experience and my skills with being in the tourism industry…seems like a perfect fit.”