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Cranbrook Tourism welcomes executive director
Kristy Jahn-Smith has been chosen to lead Cranbrook Tourism, the board of the Cranbrook & Region Tourism Society announced today.
“After an extensive search that saw applicants apply from all over North America, the board is pleased to welcome, Kristy Jahn-Smith to run the organization as its executive director,” said Board Chair Chris Andrews.
Smith, who grew up in Edmonton and later in Creston and Nelson, brings years of marketing and sales experience to this role. Smith will use her collaboration and partnership skills to build on the organization’s business plans.
“It is exciting for us as Kristy comes with a solid understanding of the region and the tourism industry.”
Jahn-Smith, who has also lived in California, Japan and South Africa, developed her marketing career in Western Canada, most recently as marketing manager for Silver Star Mountain Resort.
“Cranbrook is a Rocky Mountain tourism destination on the rise,” Smith said. “Building partnerships, executing strategic plans and shaping the tourism offerings for this new organization will help move us to our goal of growing Cranbrook and region’s visitor economy.
“It will be a challenge; a challenge I am certainly thrilled to take on,” she said.
The executive director is pivotal to the success of marketing and promoting Cranbrook and Region as a preferred, year-round destination for leisure, business and nature-based travel. The goal is to attract more visitors, grow the visitor economy and contribute to improved quality of life for residents.
Smith joins Cranbrook Tourism on Aug. 1, and her family (pictured above) will join her by September.
Being a trail running, mountain biker and big-time skier, Kristy and her family are looking forward to uncovering the multitude of Cranbrook’s outdoor and cultural experiences.
Cranbrook Tourism is the destination marketing organization for the City of Cranbrook and region. The organization includes an industry led board of directors and five years of secured funding based on an approved MRDT application to British Columbia’s Ministry of Finance with strong community support.
A three per cent approval on the collection of a hotel tax began Jan. 1, and will continue through Dec. 31, 2023.
WestJet recently added Cranbrook as a destination. This means the Canadian Rockies International Airport now sees daily service from three major airlines.
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