There may be a new crop of local job opportunities if the new visitor services manager has it her way. Kim Hood wants the Adventure Centre to have an entirely homegrown staff.
"For us to best service our visitors it's essential to have staff who are knowledgeable about the area," said Hood. "Who better than the residents of Squamish?"
Answering directly to managing director Tom Abbott, Hood will be responsible for hiring, training and supervising Visitor Information staff and establishing an advisory group of accommodation and activities providers to help develop the reservations and booking component in the new Squamish Adventure Centre.
The Chamber plans to hold an Adventure Centre "soft launch" during Squamish Days on the August long weekend, to give tourists visiting during one of the year's busiest weekends a friendly welcome and directions to the Visitor Info Centre on Cleveland Avenue. Plans for a official opening are tentatively set for late August or early September.
"It's such an exciting time and Squamish has never seen anything like this before," said Hood. "We want everything done right and don't want to rush."
Hood said she knew she wanted to be involved even before joining the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Info Centre in the new position July 14.
"I attended the open house regarding the Adventure Centre held by the District of Squamish back in the spring and knew I wanted to be involved," she said. "When the Chamber of Commerce advertised the position in the paper I jumped right on it. The potential for growth is incredible. With 2010 coming, educational opportunities with Capilano College and the Sea to Sky University, and the tourism potential, I want to be here to be a part of it."
Hood, a Sea to Sky resident since 1996 and a Squamish resident since last fall, came along with a strong list of credentials, said Abbott.
Before joining the Squamish Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Info Centre, she gained experience in the tour and travel sector of the tourism industry as a sales manager for the North American and overseas markets. She most recently represented Delta Whistler Village Suites and was also part of the opening sales team with the Delta Sun Peaks Resort.
"[Hood's experience] will prove extremely valuable as we welcome visitors to the Sea to Sky Corridor in the new Squamish Adventure Centre," said Abbott.
[email protected]
