ABOUT THE EVENT

Unlocking PEI's Hospitality Secrets: A Journey Into the Tourism Industry in PEI

PEI Connectors clients are invited to participate in an in-person Connect-To-Learn Session! 

Date:  Friday, March 15th, 2024
Time: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm 
           (Registration starts at 8:30 am) 
           (Presentation starts at 9:00 am) 
Location: 123 Grafton St, The Hollman Grand Hotel, 
                  DunesBeach Meeting Room

Join us to learn about the tourism industry in PEI. We’ve assembled a team of PEI’s most experienced tourism operators to share best practices for succeeding in this industry!

We will start the event with Linda Lowther, who will provide an overview of the tourism industry in PEI. The presentation will cover the following topics:

•    Tourism as a key contributor to our economy
•    PEI’s Tourism Strategy and how it is changing the face of the industry
•    Types of tourism businesses and activities and the jobs in each sector
•    The major components of the tourism industry
•    Visitor expectations
•    The various organizations in support of the industry on PEI
•    The importance of engagement and relationships in the industry

This will be followed by a short overview of accommodations on PEI, how to get them established, and the pros and cons of the business.

After a small break, we will have an engaging panel presentation, as we have invited experienced tourism operators to discuss the following questions:

1.    What do you think makes your business successful?
2.    What are some strategies you use to increase your revenue?
3.    How do you attract visitors outside the peak season?
4.    How do guests hear about you? What are your favourite marketing strategies?
5.    What trends do you see emerging in your sector in the future?
6.    How important is networking to your business?

Panelists will each speak for about 5 minutes allowing for time for questions at the end of the session.

We’ve assembled a team of PEI’s most experienced tourism operators to share best practices for succeeding in these challenging times. 

Facilitator & Panel Moderator: Linda Lowther

You may have seen Linda at PEI Connector events held previously. Linda has been in the tourism business all her life in one way or another. She started working with her husband at PEI’s busiest summer service station in Cavendish in the mid-seventies. They eventually sold the business and ventured into the accommodation business starting in 1985 with Sundance Cottages. Beginning with just two 2-bedroom cottages, the business grew to 22 cottages ranging from one to four bedrooms. Linda and her family also operated a small campground for 13 years and two small food operations (a café and a frozen yogurt bar).

Since that time, Linda established The Lowther Group, a company founded to assist tourism businesses and organizations be all that they can be. As a consultant, Linda has worked with over a dozen businesses from tip to tip, helped organizations with their strategic plans and has managed a number of projects and events.

Panelist: Tracey Singleton

Tracey was born and raised on Prince Edward Island. She has a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management from Mount Saint Vincent University and has spent her entire career working in the tourism and hospitality industry, holding sales and marketing positions with Tourism PEI, Tourism Charlottetown, and Westmount Hospitality.

In 2009, she started Versatile Management Group (VMG) a full-service creative marketing and events agency.  VMG produces PEI’s major events such as the PEI Fall Flavours Festival, PEI International Shellfish Festival and PEI Festival of Wines. VMG also produces marketing campaigns for Love Local, PEI, the Nova Scotia Wine Growers, and the Canada’s Food Island Gift Card Program.

In 2014, Tracey and her husband purchased the family cottage business, Cavendish Bosom Buddies, from her dad, Ron Peters.  Today, they own and manage over 27 units on the North Shore. Since taking over the business they have invested in major upgrades, built and purchased new units and grown the business beyond a two-month operation. One day, she would like to see a business that can operate successfully for 5-6 months.

Tracey and her husband also own the PEI franchise for PropertyGuys.com and live in Charlottetown with their three children, Matt, MacKenzie, and Lexie.

Panelist: Chad Heron

Chad Heron is the CEO of COWS Inc., a PEI-based food and retail business with locations across Canada.  Chad grew up on PEI and attended UPEI before completing his training to become a Chartered Accountant.  After brief stops in public accounting and government, he landed at COWS in 2015 in a VP role.  In his current position as CEO, he oversees the retail business of ice cream and merchandise, as well as the wholesale business of COWS Creamery cheese and butter products.  COWS is a fast-growing company, constantly looking to expand into new markets and product areas.

Panelists: Adam Hickey

Adam Hickey was born in Kensington, PEI and has attended Acadia University and The University of New Brunswick, obtaining a Bachelor of Science and a bachelor of electrical and computer engineering.  He has been involved in the tourism industry on PEI for 30 years and is currently the Senior Vice President of the Maritime Fun Group which operates two amusement parks and several other attractions and quick service food locations in Cavendish, PEI.  

Adam has spent the last two years developing and building a new business called Tidal Event Management, a regional ticketing and event management software company.  He has previously served as a board member of the Tourism Association of Prince Edward Island and is currently Vice Chair of Tourism Cavendish Beach.

Panelists: Rachel Sauvé & Doug Mckinney

Rachel Sauvé & Doug Mckinney opened The Cork & Cast in 2019. A fifty-seat floating restaurant, located in the heart of Charlottetown. Surviving five summers as a seasonal restaurant, they recently made the move to a year-round location. Located at 146 Richmond St, Victoria Row. Focusing on providing meaningful experiences through dining, using decade-old family recipes passed down to bring new and familiar flavours to new and returning patrons alike. Check them out on social media @thecorkandcas

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