Staff Profiles
The staff of Tourism Nanaimo can help you research and report on your stories with speed and accuracy. Tourism Nanaimo provides media and member support to the local Nanaimo community, while Destination Nanaimo is pleased to assist out-of-town travel media with their story assignments.
Mark Drysdale | Executive Director
(250) 756-0106 ext. 21 | Contact Mark
Mark is the newest member of the Tourism Nanaimo team, having joined the organization in May 2008.
Mark was raised on a farm in Carberry, a small town in Western Manitoba, and proudly carries the ethical and moral framework that this prairie upbringing provided. He attended the University of Manitoba where he earned a Bachelor of Recreation Studies degree in 1989. After graduation he embarked on a rewarding 17 year career with Boys and Girls Clubs where he held senior management positions for Clubs in Airdrie, Alberta, Nanaimo, and most recently in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Mark brings to Tourism a long history of business acumen and community service. As the former Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Nanaimo, he is well versed in local amenities, products and organizations. He also has a strong commitment to the economic and social growth of the region. He understands the importance of engaging youth and volunteers as valuable contributors to the growth of an organization.
Mark has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the areas of leadership, strategic planning, fiscal responsibility and human resource administration. His vision for Tourism Nanaimo includes a broader working partnership with the organization’s membership, the City of Nanaimo, the new Vancouver Island Conference Centre, and other key players in the tourism industry like the Port Authority, Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership. “As a growth industry in our region, it is of the greatest importance to seek all opportunities to expand our tourist base and to improve the quality and awareness of our product. Our beautiful natural environment and accessibility to the lower mainland and US markets is our most valuable asset – we know we have a highly marketable product – we just need to get the invitation out!”
In his free time Mark enjoys staying very active, participating in hockey, golf, sailing, diving, and riding his motorcycle. He also loves spending quality time with friends and family and with his geriatric pet - Slater the 16-year old cat! He is proud and honored to be leading a very committed crew of staff and volunteers, whose passion and commitment to the advancement of the tourism industry in Nanaimo is truly inspiring.
Position Description:
As the Executive Director of Tourism Nanaimo, Mark is responsible for all of the day-to-day operations of the organization. This includes working with the Board of Directors to set policy and strategic direction for the organization. He assists the Board of Directors in the development of the organizations short and long term plans and yearly budgets and is responsible for ensuring the fiscal and legal obligations of the agency are met. Mark is also responsible for the overall supervision of staff and volunteers and for overseeing the development and implementation of all of Tourism Nanaimo’s programs and services. Finally Mark acts as the key liaison between Tourism Nanaimo and its members, funders, partner organizations, the media and the community.
Amanda Evoy | Manager, Marketing and Communications
(250) 756-0106 ext. 27 | Contact Amanda
Amanda is originally from Wetaskiwin, Alberta. Shortly after graduating high school she moved to Cranbrook, British Columbia where she completed her diploma in Tourism and Recreation Management from the College of Rockies. Amanda moved to Nanaimo to complete her degree in Tourism and Recreation Management at Malaspina University College and recently graduated in April 2007.
Amanda is the most recent member of the Tourism Nanaimo team and holds the position of Manager, Marketing and Communications. Amanda started with the organization in April of 2008 and is in charge of things such as membership/marketing services, special projects and the Tourism Nanaimo website. She is looking forward to working with the team at Tourism Nanaimo!
Previous to Tourism Nanaimo, Amanda was employed with the Cowichan Valley Regional District, at Kerry Park Recreation Centre as their Assistant Recreation Manager and before that she worked for a small events and marketing company in Grande Prairie, Alberta as the Event and Volunteer Coordinator. Although her work has focused on recreation, she has always had a passion for the tourism industry.
When she isn’t working, Amanda enjoys being active in the outdoors, working out, and spending time with her friends and family.
Position Description:
The Manager, Marketing and Communications is responsible for the administration and implementation of Tourism Nanaimo membership and marketing projects. This position works directly with the Marketing Consultant and the Manager, Sales & Industry Relations to ensure the successful delivery of all marketing programs and member events. This position will work to ensure that all data for membership, marketing and the day-to-day administration of Tourism Nanaimo is kept up-to-date and accessible for the team as well as the membership.
Jon Nicholson | Manager, Visitor Services - Port of Nanaimo Centre
(250) 713-2980 | Contact Jon Nicholson
Jon Nicholson is the Manager, Visitor Services - Port of Nanaimo Centre for Tourism Nanaimo. He started with the organization in May 2005 as a Visitor Information Counsellor and is happy to be a part of the Tourism Nanaimo team.
Jon was born and raised in Nanaimo. After graduating high school, Jon took some time off and developed an interest in the tourism industry. In September 2004 Jon enrolled in the Bachelor of Tourism Management program at Malaspina University-College. In 2006 Jon received a diploma in Sport and Recreation management and then finished his Tourism Management Degree in June 2008.
In his 4 years working with Tourism Nanaimo Jon has acquired a vast knowledge of the different tourism industry sectors, particularly in visitor services. Jon has a strong knowledge base of the local community and possesses a passion for the city in which he was born and raised.
Outside of the office Jon’s major passion is playing lacrosse as he played with the local Senior ‘A’ team in town. He also enjoys being outdoors, various other athletic activities, and spending time with his friends.
Position Description:
The Manager, Visitor Services - Port of Nanaimo Centre is responsible for maintaining the day-to-day operations of the Port of Nanaimo Centre Visitor Kiosk. This includes ensuring that the kiosk is represented to the public in a pleasing, organized and professional manner.
In addition to the above scope, the Manager, Visitor Services - Port of Nanaimo Centre is also responsible for the recruitment, hiring and training of summer staff and volunteers at the kiosk as well as keeping a proper inventory of brochures, visitor guides, maps and retail.
Megan Beauregard | Manager, Visitor Services
(250) 756-0106 ext. 23 | Contact Megan Beauregard
Megan Beauregard is pleased to be a part of the team at Tourism Nanaimo as the Manager, Visitor Services. She started with the organization in May of 2007 and is thankful to be working with such a dynamic group of individuals.
Megan is proud to be Vancouver Island born and raised. After graduating high school, she took a year off to live abroad and work in the UK. It was after her contract ended when she was on a European Contiki Tour where she realized her passion was in the tourism industry. She returned to Nanaimo in September of 2000 and enrolled in the Tourism and Recreation Management program at Malaspina University-College, graduating in 2002 with a Tourism Studies Diploma and in 2005 with her Bachelor of Tourism Management Degree, Major in Recreation.
She has always enjoyed the different sectors of the tourism industry, and has worked in many of them over the past 10 years including food and beverage, attractions, accommodation, events & conferences and tourism/visitor services. Most recently her dedication has been to the tourism/visitor services sector and includes one of her most memorable jobs - working for a year in the Canadian Pavillion in Epcot, Walt Disney World, as a Canadian Hostess.
In her spare time, Megan enjoys shopping, watching movies, travelling, getting outside, going to the beach and spending quality time with family and friends in Nanaimo.
Position Description:
The Manager, Visitor Services is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the day-to-day management of the Visitor Services Department. This includes developing and providing monthly statistical reporting, developing new revenue sources, and ensuring that the Visitor Centre is represented to the public in a pleasing, organized and professional manner.
In addition to the above scope, the Manager, Visitor Services is also responsible for recruiting, training and supervising the Visitor Centre staff and volunteers, as well as handling all aspects of the Nanaimo Visitor Guide Distribution Program. This position is also responsible for maintaining an effective volunteer program that provides staffing at the Visitor Centre during the off-season and as well as special tasks and events.
Cathy Dyck | Manager, Sales and Industry Relations
(250) 756-0106 ext. 25 | Contact Cathy Dyck
Cathy Dyck has worked at Tourism Nanaimo for the past 8 years. She has immensely enjoyed her work in sales and membership with the Tourism Nanaimo team.
Cathy has worked in the tourism industry in Nanaimo starting in her teen years while attending college and university. She has always worked in the service industry in many capacities including being a sales trainer and a supervisor at Woodwards.
Cathy is very active in the community and has been involved in the Festival of Trees since its fruition 13 years ago. She also volunteered for the VI Raiders and sits on the Vancouver Island Meeting Planners Board and the Vancouver Island University Foundation Board.
In her spare time Cathy enjoys working out, travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
Position Description:
Manager, Sales and Industry Relations is responsible to develop, maintain and expand a relationship between Tourism Nanaimo and its members, including the attraction and retention of members. It is a primary responsibility to stimulate revenue through the sales of innovative community marketing and cooperative programs developed in partnership with the Marketing Department. This position is also responsible for community liaison through regularly developed membership events and involvement in community organizations.
Aidan Moher | Web Technician
(250) 756-0106 ext. 26 | Contact Aidan Moher
Aidan Moher is the newest member of the Tourism Nanaimo team! He began his role as Web Technician in May 2009 and hopes to remain a part of the team for a long time to come.
Aidan grew up in the Nanaimo-area and, after a fair bit of travel, accepted the fact that he loves it too much to ever leave! Aidan attended Vancouver Island Universtiy from 2005-2007, completing a diploma in Digital Media Technology (now known as iPro) and has since split his time between the Tourism Industry, Web Design/Development and Writing - he was happy to find a great company offering a chance to combine all three of his professional passions.
Outside of work, Aidan is a passionate traveller and writer. He has traipsed across most of Europe, visiting many countries, including Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Ireland, Poland and Slovakia. He doesn't plan on stopping travelling any time soon, either! When not at work, Aidan can be found either writing at a random coffee shop, or out and about town with his camera, trying to capture that perfect moment.
Position Description:
As Web Technician, Aidan is responsible for all things Internet related at Tourism Nanaimo. He spends his time working on constantly improving and expanding the web site, working with members to help them make the best of Tourism Nanaimo's services, and troubleshooting with anyone who needs the help.
Along with the web site, Aidan also helps manage Tourism Nanaimo's other web presences, including Facebook and Twitter.
Volunteer Staff
(250) 756-0106 ext.0 or 1-800-663-7337 ext.0 | Contact Volunteer Staff
An integral part of the Tourism Nanaimo staff is the dedicated and hard-working volunteers that work in the Visitor Centre year round. Currently, Tourism Nanaimo is privileged to have over 20 volunteers that work a variety of shifts during operating hours.
The main role of a Tourism Nanaimo volunteer is to help visitors plan their travel itineraries by offering helpful suggestions about the community of Nanaimo. Volunteers are also responsible for maintaining brochure stock and supplies as well as fulfilling Visitor Guide requests. We are thankful for having such a dynamic group of individuals as part of our team!
