ABOUT THE EVENT

Tourism and Experiential Travel- How it can Elevate Your Business

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

Date:  Wednesday, March 5th, 2025
Time: 8:30 am - 12:00 pm 
           (Registration: 8:30 am - 9:00 am) 
Location: 123 Grafton St, The Holman Grand Hotel, 
                  DunesBeach Meeting Room

Join us for a dynamic and informative session that explores how tourism and experiential travel can boost your business. Our expert speakers will share valuable insights and strategies to help you exploit the growing tourism market.

Event Schedule:

8:30 - 9:00 AM | Registration
Start your day by checking in and connecting with fellow attendees.

9:00 - 9:15 AM | Introduction - Karen Milligan
An overview of the event and what you can expect.

9:15 - 9:45 AM | Tourism PEI - Andrew Doyle
Delve into tourism research and statistics, and discover trends shaping the industry.

9:45 - 10:15 AM | Tourism Industry Association of PEI (TIAPEI) - Alex MacKenzie
Discover TIAPEI’s crucial role in supporting businesses, offering services like advocacy, professional development, HR support, and funding program administration. Key topics will include an overview of TIAPEI’s initiatives, such as the Powered by Tourism campaign, Wellbeing Program, and the 5-year Tourism Strategy, as well as industry trends, with a special focus on the rise of experiential tourism.

10:15 - 10:30 AM | Break
Refresh and network.

10:30 - 11:00 AM | Experience PEI - Nikki Todd / Dave Hyndman
Discover how Experience PEI supports local businesses and how you can leverage their packages to enhance your business.

11:00 - 11:30 AM | PEI Tasting Tours - Jackie Herbert
Explore how PEI Tasting Tours crafts unforgettable experiences for visitors, while also gaining insights into Jackie’s journey of launching a successful tourism business on the Island and the key strategies for growing a business in PEI's unique landscape.

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Networking Opportunity
Wrap up the event with bonus time for connections and discussions.

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Facilitators: 

Alex MacKenzie
Workforce Development Officer, TIAPEI 
Alex joined TIAPEI in January 2020 as the HR Coordinator. He started his education in the Tourism and Travel Management program at Holland College and continued into the Human Resources Management Certificate program. He holds a firm belief that Prince Edward Island is Canada’s premier tourist destination and is thrilled to be working with industry operators. Alex facilitates numerous training programs for TIAPEI including the Entry Level Cook program, the Certified Pool Operator Course, and PEI Best Service Excellence. In his current role, Workforce Development Officer, he serves as an advisor to businesses in the tourism industry who may be looking for assistance with hiring, creating new positions, employee support, and many other Human Resources functions. Alex resides in Hunter River with his wife, Courtney, and their daughter, Charlotte.

Jackie Herbert
Owner, PEI Tasting Tours
Jackie Herbert is the owner of PEI TASTING TOURS, a thriving tour company that connects visitors with the best craft beverages and culinary experiences on Prince Edward Island. With a passion for storytelling and hospitality, Jackie has grown PEI TASTING TOURS into a must-experience attraction for locals and tourists alike. As a board member of the Tourism Industry Association of PEI (TIAPEI), she actively supports and advocates for PEI’s tourism sector. Jackie’s entrepreneurial journey highlights the opportunities, challenges, and rewards of building a business in the Island’s vibrant tourism industry.

Andrew Doyle  P.Eng.
Manager, Research & Analytics, Tourism PEI

Andrew Doyle is the Manager of Research & Analytics at Tourism PEI, where he leads the collection, analysis, and presentation of tourism data to support strategic decision making. With a background in civil engineering, real estate development, and analytics, he brings a data-driven approach to understanding tourism trends and industry needs. He oversees research initiatives, including tracking visitor statistics, market trends, and economic impacts, working closely with government and industry stakeholders to enhance PEI’s tourism strategy.

Before joining Tourism PEI, Andrew held various roles in project management, consulting engineering, and real estate development, where he gained extensive experience in technical design and analysis, strategic planning, and operations. He is passionate about using data to drive insights and improve decision making in the tourism sector.

When not analyzing data, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and two toddlers at home in Stratford.

Dave Hyndman
Owner, Dave's Lobster & Experience PEI
Dave was a senior IT executive spending almost 30 years in sales & marketing, product management, software development, and large project management. Dave grew up in Charlottetown but has lived and worked around the world (Toronto, Dubai, Bahrain, San Francisco, Boston, Memphis). He returned to PEI to raise a family and become an entrepreneur.

Nikki Todd
Director, Operations Experience PEI
Islanders by choice, Nikki & her husband Adam, moved to the Island in 2021. While Nikki’s background 
is in Criminology/Investigations, hospitality has always been a true passion of hers. After nearly 15 
years of working in her field of study and other corporate jobs, she knew that the move to the Island 
would be the perfect time to finally make a full time career change. After settling in, Nikki & her 
husband originally worked with Experience PEI as Providers, until she transitioned into working for 
Experience PEI full time, in 2023, in her current role.

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Space is limited - register now!

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Click on this link to tell us the topics you would like our sessions offer in the future. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/36PGVFG