Tourism Delta
Tourism Delta is the Destination Marketing Organization for Delta, BC, serving the communities of Ladner, Tsawwassen, and North Delta. As a DMO operating in one of the Lower Mainland's most distinctive destinations, where farmland meets coastline and small-town character meets suburban convenience, Tourism Delta plays a central role in shaping how visitors experience and invest in the region.
THE GOAL
Elizabeth has worked with Tourism Delta in various capacities since 2013, developing a deep understanding of the destination, its communities, and its partners. In 2023, her role expanded significantly when Tourism Delta entered one of the most complex periods in its organizational history: a merger with the Delta Chamber of Commerce, a funded Community Tourism Plan underway, new funding opportunities on the horizon, and a consumer-facing rebrand in development, all simultaneously.
The need was clear: experienced destination management leadership who could hold the strategic thread across multiple moving pieces, steady the organization through significant structural change, and ensure that long-term momentum wasn't lost in the turbulence of transition.
THE WORK
The merger with the Delta Chamber of Commerce required Elizabeth to provide sustained governance support, careful stakeholder relationship management, and steady organizational leadership throughout a period of meaningful structural change. As the organization continues to evolve its structure to best serve its mandate, Elizabeth has remained a consistent and trusted presence through each phase of that process.Alongside this, Elizabeth led the execution of key initiatives from the Destination BC and PacificCan-funded Community Tourism Plan, a 15-year strategic vision for sustainable tourism development in Delta.
This included community and partner engagement, ongoing communications, and the public launch of the CTP. She also commissioned and oversaw a Value of Tourism study, which established that tourism contributes $96.5 million directly to Delta's economy, representing 20% of all businesses and 11% of all jobs in the city, foundational evidence for advocacy, grant applications, and investment decisions going forward.A consumer-facing rebrand was initiated and is currently rolling out, having been thoughtfully paused at the City's request while Ladner Village underwent its own brand development, a decision that reflects the kind of stakeholder sensitivity and long-game thinking that characterizes Elizabeth's approach.
Elizabeth also oversees ongoing marketing operations, budget management, municipal and regional tourism representation, and management of contractors and agency partners.
THE RESULTS
Tourism Delta today is better resourced, better evidenced, and better positioned than at any previous point in its history. The Value of Tourism study has given the organization a credible economic foundation: $96.5 million in direct tourism value, to advocate for investment and funding. The Community Tourism Plan provides a 15-year strategic roadmap. The rebrand, when fully launched, will give Tourism Delta a public identity commensurate with its ambitions.
Perhaps most significantly, the organization has navigated a period of genuine structural change and emerged with its strategic direction clear and its relationships with municipal, provincial, and industry partners stronger than ever.
Elizabeth's decade-plus relationship with Tourism Delta is itself a measure of the trust she has built and the value she continues to deliver.
TESTIMONIAL
"As the Tourism Manager for Tourism Delta, Elizabeth adeptly manages both destination development and marketing at a time of growth and change for the organization. Her support during our transition with the Delta Chamber of Commerce and the development of our advisory committee structure and governance model was crucial. She also excelled in managing the Community Tourism Planning process and operationalizing critical initiatives from the plan. Elizabeth provides clear and timely communication for the Tourism Delta Advisory Committee and effective budget and timeline management."
— Ken Malenstyn, Chair, Tourism Delta Advisory CommitteeL
Are you a DMO or tourism company looking for support with destination marketing and development?
Book your complimentary discovery call with Elizabeth today.