The members of Sport Tourism Canada (STC) gathered via Zoom to conduct the 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Wednesday, April 28th, 2021. A meeting of the new Board was held the following day on Thursday, April 29th.
Board Update
On behalf of STC, outgoing Chair Blair McIntosh thanked the departing board member, Brooke Leeson (Kingston, Ont.) for her contributions and service to the organization. The nominating committee report was approved. Serving two-year terms (2021– 2023) are: Neal Alderson (Halifax, N.S.), Michelle Collens (Vancouver, B.C.), Annie Henry (Winnipeg, MB), Janet Guthrie (Leduc, Alta.), Dean McIntosh (Calgary, Alta.) and Scott Pritchard (Toronto, Ont.). Remaining on the board for their 2020 – 2022 terms are: Graham Brown (Markham, Ont.), Heather Bury (Saskatoon, Sask.), Sheena McCrate (St. John’s, Nfld.), Blair McIntosh (Toronto, Ont.) and Andréanne Paquet (Montreal, Que.).
Members of the Executive Committee for 2021-2022 are as follows:
Neal Alderson, Chair
Neal is a Senior Advisor with Events Nova Scotia, Government of Nova Scotia. He has more than 17 years’ experience in the major event industry as a consultant, marketing and communications professional and volunteer. As a consultant he’s assisted business, government and communities to attract and deliver numerous sport and culture related events. With a background in marketing and public relations he understands the role events can play in helping communities to achieve their economic, social and cultural goals.
Heather Bury, Vice Chair
Born and raised in Saskatoon, Heather has dedicated her career to the advancement of Saskatoon’s sports community. Graduating from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Heather has been the Sport and Event Sales Executive with Saskatoon Sports Tourism for eight years. She has played a leadership role as a member of numerous host committees, including the Tim Hortons Brier, MasterCard Memorial Cup, FIVB World League, and many more.
Sheena McCrate, Treasurer
Sheena has served as the CEO of St. John’s Sports & Entertainment Ltd. based in St. John’s, Nfld. since 2014 having previously served as Senior Manager, Events from 2007-2014. She has been involved in a volunteer capacity with a variety of local organizations, including the Newfoundland and Labrador Sport Centre, Destination St. John’s and Downtown St. John’s to name a few.
Blair McIntosh, Past Chair
Blair is the Vice President, Sport with Special Olympics Canada. Previously, he held a number of positions with the Sport Alliance of Ontario, including CEO from 2013-2016 and Director of Games & Awards from 2005-2013. He also served as Director of Sport Tourism with Tourism London from 2003-2005.
Grant MacDonald, COO & Secretary
Incoming Chief Operating Officer Grant MacDonald is one of Canada’s leading sport tourism and major event professionals. His work includes 30+ years experience in amateur sports, sport tourism, government, and the private sector. In 2020, Grant served as the Chair of Sport Tourism Canada’s COVID-19 Recovery Task Force and he has been the Head of Consulting for Sport Tourism Canada since 2019. He served on the Board of Directors for Sport Tourism Canada from 2007-2019 and served as Chair of the Board from 2011-2014. Grant led both Events Nova Scotia and Events Halifax and played a lead role in the development of the provincial tourism strategy for Nova Scotia in 2013.
Rick Traer, CEO Emeritus
In a separate announcement, outgoing Sport Tourism Canada CEO Rick Traer will continue to represent Sport Tourism Canada internationally in his new role as CEO Emeritus. Traer currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH) and will continue to lead Team Canada delegations to international conferences to promote Canada as a preferred host for international sport events.