As work progresses on creating a new, unified tourism organization, the chair of Tourism Penticton is stepping down from her position.
“Our board meeting is on Monday and yes, I will be stepping back as chair at that time. I have discussed it with the board,” said Diana Stirling, who also owns and operates LocoLanding Adventure Park.
But Stirling said it is successes, not disappointments, that drove the timing of her decision. She said she wants to be able to give 100 per cent and she is being pulled in a couple of different directions right now.
“Where we are at now is where we have worked so hard to get to,” said Stirling. “The organization as a whole is doing fantastic. We have a strong executive director, we have strong results.”
Stirling said the merger with the Penticton Hospitality Association has been the main focus of her work as chair, after taking the chair when the previous chair Max Picton was elected to Penticton city council.
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Though it wasn’t stated often, Stirling said creating a single destination marketing organization was desired by previous tourism executive boards as well.
“We all wanted one organization, and I am so happy that we are so close,” said Stirling.
The new organization is expected to be formed by this fall, and Stirling said it is time for new leadership as her focus turns to LocoLanding’s busy summer season.
“It is a good time, I feel I have got it to that point and it is time for a new leader to take it over for the next stage,” said Stirling. “Jessica Agur is who we are hoping will be chair and she is the right person to be playing that role right now.”
Stirling said Agur, who is vice-chair, usually steps in during the summer and takes on the majority of the workload while she is busy with the adventure park.
“Knowing how important this next stage is, I felt she should have the official title this time, instead of me being chair and her doing the work,” said Stirling. “When my season at LocoLanding is on, it is on. I can’t give 100 per cent to Tourism Penticton then.”
When the new organization is formed, Stirling said she would like to still be involved.
“To my knowledge, all of the directors on the Tourism Penticton side feel the same,” said Stirling. “We have put so much heart into this we are pretty excited to be one organization and to be part of that new scene.”
