At Tourism Kelowna, we are committed to professional excellence and continuous learning—values that ensure we provide best-in-class service to our clients while fostering sustainable growth for our destination. We’re proud to announce that three members of our Business Development team have recently achieved new professional designations that will further strengthen our ability to serve the meetings, conferences, and business events market.
- Vanessa Osborne has earned the Certified Incentive Specialist (CIS) designation, a globally recognized credential that demonstrates her expertise in incentive travel. With this specialized knowledge, Vanessa is better equipped to attract and support incentive programs that align with our region’s unique offerings, helping to grow Kelowna’s reputation as a compelling reward destination.
- Julia Garner has completed the Sustainable Events Professional Certificate (SEPC), deepening her expertise in designing and delivering environmentally and socially responsible events. This certification aligns with our strategic focus on sustainability, empowering Julia to curate events that are as responsible as they are memorable. It also provides Julia with the knowledge to educate clients, partners, and our team on best practices while showcasing how Kelowna can be a partner in hosting events that leave a positive impact. We thank Destination Canada for subsidizing Julia's journey to achieving this certification.
- Nicole Martinez, our newest team member, has received her Professional in Destination Management (PDM) certification, further strengthening her understanding of destination marketing, stakeholder engagement, and long-term tourism planning. Nicole’s enhanced knowledge will support Tourism Kelowna’s mission to balance sustainable growth of our destination with client satisfaction and community well-being.
These achievements reflect the high standards we set for ourselves and our desire to continually enhance our industry leadership. More importantly, they directly benefit our clients—meeting planners, event organizers, and business partners—by expanding our team’s collective expertise, strategic insight, and ability to tailor solutions for events of all types and sizes.
By investing in professional development, we’re not only deepening our team’s skills but also reinforcing Kelowna’s position as a premier meetings and events destination. Congratulations to Vanessa, Julia, and Nicole on their accomplishments—we’re excited to see the positive impact their new knowledge will bring to both our organization and our stakeholders.
