Public invited to tourism speaker series and symposium

The Malaspina University-College Tourism and Recreation student association (MRTA) is hosting their second annual speaker series and grad symposium called “Continuing the Journey – The Sky is the Limit” on April 13, from 9 am to 2 pm.

“We’re inviting the public to come and hear a diverse group of speakers in the tourism industry and check out the exciting projects and research Malaspina students are involved in,” said Karla Duarte, a third-year Tourism and Recreation student, and one of the event organizers.

Six high profile speakers from the mainland and Vancouver Island will discuss industry trends in tourism, including Marilyn Hutchinson, Economic Development Officer with the City of Nanaimo, (9 – 10 am), Felice Mazzoni, City Planner for the District of Ucluelet (10 to 11 am), and Shannon Hendry of Tourism BC/2010 Legacy and Coordinator of Community Development and Sport Tourism (11 to 12 noon) in Room 237/ Building 200 at the Nanaimo campus.

Concurrent sessions feature Blain Sepos, Executive Director of Oceanside Tourism (9 to 10 am), Blake and Rhonda Johnson of Batstar Kayaking (10 to 11 am), and John Leschyson, representative of go2, the BC resource for people in tourism (11 to 12 noon) in Room 238, Building 200.

Following the speakers series, a light lunch will be provided in Building 250, Room 308, from 12 noon to 2 pm, and grad portfolios will be highlighted  throughout the afternoon . Tickets for the speakers series and grad symposium are $10 each. A limited number will be available at the door.

The MRTA is the largest student club on the Nanaimo campus, with a membership of 174.  It is run by a 12-member executive committed to providing students with recreation and professional development opportunities.

The event is sponsored by the Malaspina Tourism Research Institute and the Faculty of Management.  For information, email mrta@msu.ca.