Squamish is ready for its close-up.
On Friday (Sept. 20), District of Squamish officials welcomed a film and events manager to their team. Devon Guest is stepping into the new position that aims to harness the economic benefits of events and filming held within the municipality, Mayor Rob Kirkham said.
Squamish has seen a growing number of events held on district property, with 72 events facilitated in 2012, he stated in a press release. This new position will play a key role in this ongoing evolution as attention on Squamish continues to grow.
The Squamish resident brings more than 10 years of national and international experience in event development, broadcast and project management to the job. Guest worked at both the Vancouver and London Olympic Games as a broadcast venue manager and broadcast logistics manager.
Guest also managed TED conferences and spent six years with the Canadian Football League (CFL) in Toronto as manager of championships and events working on the Grey Cup and Touchdown Atlantic. She was later recruited by the B.C. Lions Football Club as director of operations in 2008.
Live performances can shape people, providing them with connections and memories that last a lifetime, Guest said.
I love being a part of providing people with those experiences, she said. I also love Squamish and our community, and the film and event industries both represent further potential for economic growth here.
The District received 120 applications for the position. That forced district staff to take a new hiring approach, interviewing a large group of people in pre-qualifying consultation, said Corien Speaker, the district's chief administrative officer.
