Presented by Destination Canada
Following last year’s successful webinar, Destination Canada is back to host a new activity on the importance of intentional destination development. While last year’s webinar explored boosting the visitor economy, this year it will explore its impacts.
Welcoming visitors to your community may bring numerous benefits. However, when their experience doesn’t align with residents’ needs, it can negatively affect both guests and locals. That's why intentional destination development is becoming an important factor in the visitor economy.
Join Destination Canada and a panel of experts as they provide insights from three communities that have strategically shaped the type of visitation they seek, sharing how they measure the social return on their investment to ensure it matches their community's values.
Moderator
Gracen Chungath, Senior VP Destination Development, Destination Canada
Gracen Chungath is the Senior Vice President, Destination Development at Destination Canada and leads the organization’s pan-Canadian strategy for Destination Development focusing on strategic partnerships, stewardship of supply development and investment.
As Destination Canada supports the thoughtful evolution of the tourism sector, Gracen plays an important, convening role in the country’s transition to a thriving, community-centered, regenerative visitor economy that contributes to the socio-cultural, environmental, and economic wealth and wellbeing for peoples of Canada.
Prior to Destination Canada, she was at the City of Vancouver for 8 years. As the Director, Strategic Operations, Planning & Program Management Gracen led three divisions and stewarded a multi-billion-dollar real estate portfolio which included arts, cultural, social, childcare and affordable housing facilities. She has also worked for MDA, a Canadian based international space missions and robotics company.
Gracen holds an MSc in Public Policy from the School of African and Oriental Studies (SOAS) at the University of London and an MBA from Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
She is highly committed to her community, having given her time to many non-profit boards including the Vancouver based Writer’s Exchange, Immigrant Employment Council of BC, Granville Island Council etc.
Panelists
George Fontaine, Mayor of Flin Flon (Manitoba)
Mayor George Fontaine has lived, taught, and raised a family in Flin Flon for over 50 years and has always embraced the community's spirit. With deep roots in the city’s history as a mining town, Mayor Fontaine is dedicated to leading Flin Flon toward a strong and vibrant future. Under his guidance, the city is diversifying its economy by investing in tourism, aiming to create new opportunities for both residents and visitors while preserving the city’s unique heritage.
Robert Mercure, General Manager, Destination Québec Cité
A well-known figure in the Quebec and international tourism industry, Robert Mercure is a leader renowned for leaving his mark as both a visionary and a manager.
Steeped in the hotel business since childhood, he was General Manager of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac for over 11 years. Mr. Mercure received the “Pinnacle award - Canada's hotelier of the year” in 2016, for the successful renovation of the Château Frontenac's century-old building, while maintaining its high performance. Moreover, in 2018, the Château won the “Best Fairmont in the World” award, following on from “Canada's Best Tourism Company” in 2015.
Robert Mercure had a highly acclaimed stint as President and CEO of the Palais des congrès de Montréal, where he brought a new vision to the organization. Under his leadership, the Palais achieved carbon neutrality, as well as the best fiscal and economic performance in its history, up to that point.
Since his arrival at Destination Québec cité in 2021 as General Manager, an organization that acts both as a regional tourism association and as a department of the City of Québec, sustainable and responsible tourism have been at the heart of his daily concerns. The Quebec Provincial Tourism Association has just recognized Destination Québec cité's leadership in sustainable tourism.
Robert Mercure holds a Certificate in Hotel Asset Management from Cornell University (New York, USA), a B.A. in Economics and Finance from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics at the University of New Hampshire (Durham, USA) and a B.A. in Economics and Finance - Whittemore School of Business and Economics.
Lisa Dominato, Vancouver City Councillor
First elected to Vancouver School Board in a 2017 by-election, then to Vancouver City Council in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, Lisa is passionate about making things better. A bridge builder, driven by a lifelong commitment to volunteerism and community, Lisa's 20+ years in government administration, public policy, communications, and stakeholder relations are centred on one simple question: How can I help?
Lisa's ability to bring people together on complex issues and facilitate authentic engagement leading to positive solutions helped launch her path to civic service. She is passionate about tackling the complex issues facing municipalities large and small across Canada today.
She is a trusted ally, an active listener, an effective collaborator, and a community champion. Her expertise is built on senior management roles in the BC Public Service focused on social policy, as well as serving as the former Chief of Staff to the Deputy Premier and Minister of Education, and as political advisor to the Minister of Management Services.
Committed to improving the availability of affordable housing and mental health supports, Lisa served for six years as a Vancouver Kettle Society board member and board chair, as well as on the boards of FamilySmart and the Kiwanis Club of Victoria.
Lisa’s priorities include affordable housing, public transit and active transportation, quality civic services, community safety, mental health and addictions response, emergency preparedness and climate resiliency.
In addition to her Council responsibilities, Lisa also serves on several regional boards. Lisa serves on the Metro Vancouver Board, including Chair of the Climate Action Committee, member of Invest Vancouver and the Chair’s Financial Task Force.
Lisa also serves on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board, where she is Vice-Chair of the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee, member of the Social-Economic Development Committee and Election Readiness Working Group. She previously served as Metro Vancouver’s Chair of the Performance and Audit Committee and Vice-Chair of the Liquid Waste Committee. Lisa is also the past Chair of the Pacific National Exhibition (PNE).
Lisa holds a Master of Arts in Leadership from Royal Roads University and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and the University of Burgundy in Dijon, France. She is fluent in French and English and is a recipient of the Premier's Annual Innovation and Excellence Awards – Partnership Category. She also holds certifications in project management and climate competency board governance.
A busy mom to two amazing young girls and stepmom to an outstanding young woman, Lisa looks for any opportunity to be active and enjoy the outdoors. She opts for two wheels or transit whenever possible, runs a decent marathon, swims as often as possible at New Brighton Pool, and even squeezes in a hike on a rare free day.