Tracey McBride was named the new Tourism P.G. CEO during an announcement Friday afternoon at the Tourism Prince George Society (TPGS) office on First Avenue.
"I'm really excited about getting started here," McBride said.
She has 18 years of experience in municipal, regional and provincial tourism and is coming from Alberta to take her new position on Feb. 3.
"It's about pride of place," McBride said. "Sometimes as a community you look at yourselves a certain way because you've lived here your whole life but when tourists come they think 'oh, there's so much to do and I love this and that' and that's a real driver of pride so I'm really excited about that. I think that locals have to be part of the brand and part of the experiences because that's how you compete globally. If you have that passionate local that knows the stories and tells the stories and can take people on those experiences that's what sets you apart from other destinations."
The TPGS board of directors is looking forward to working with McBride, said Elke Hierl-Steinbauer, chair of the board for TPGS, said.
"Her vast experience and knowledge in the tourism industry will be an excellent asset to the community, our shareholders and the staff at Tourism Prince George," Hierl-Steinbauer, added.
McBride is wrapping up a contract as interim executive director for the Aseniwuche Winewak Nation in Alberta. In the past she has worked for the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture as an industry development liaison with Tourism Hamilton, City of Toronto, Niagara Falls Tourism and as general manager for Waterloo Regional Tourism and City of St. Catharines.
McBride has won many national and international awards in destination marketing. She lectures at universities across the country on tourism product development through the Economic Development Association of Canada (EDAC).
"I am excited to become a part of Prince George," McBride said. "It will be wonderful to be able to contribute to the community in working with the TPGS team to grow the existing year-round business, conference, cultural, sports, and recreational opportunities offered."
