Kevin Toth is the President of Fox Harb’r Resort in Fox Harbour, Nova Scotia. Kevin is a veteran hospitality & resort development executive who took the reins of Fox Harb’r in 2015. Previously, he was President & COO at Skyline Hotels & Resorts in Ontario from 2009 to 2015. From 2005 – 2009 Kevin was Managing Partner & Owner of Rockwater Secret Cove Resort in British Columbia. From 1987 to 2005, Kevin was with Fairmont Hotels & Resorts (CP) as Manager / General Manager starting his Fairmont career at Chateau Halifax then moving onto Hotel Macdonald, Chateau Laurier, Jasper Park Lodge and Chateau Whistler. He has been active in the tourism industry for many years. He was the Chair of the Edmonton Hotel Association and sat on the Board of Directors for the Alberta Hotel Association as well as Tourism Whistler. He held the Chairman’s position with the Sunshine Coast Tourism Association as well as Jasper Hotel & Tourism Association. Kevin is presently the Nova Scotia Industry Representative sitting on the Management Committee for ACAT. Kevin has enjoyed being a long-time Member of Skål, La Chaine des Rotisseures and Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin.

Wes Surrett has more than 20 years of experience as a business operator in Atlantic Canada in a variety of settings, including various management roles. He is a Pictou County champion and proud recipient of the 2015 inaugural Fleur Mainville Tourism Ambassador Award for his contributions to tourism. He was one of the first hotel managers in Nova Scotia to receive the Professional Certification for Hotel General Manager offered through the Emerit program with support from NSTHRC and CTHRC. Wes is a committed community volunteer and passionate advocate for rural innovation. He actively supports the growth of rural entrepreneurs and industries across Nova Scotia through his work with Ignite Atlantic. His past volunteer leadership includes serving as Chairman of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, Chairman of Destination Eastern and Northumberland Shores, and Chairman of the Ship Hector Society. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Pictou County Chamber of Commerce, among many other community boards and committees. Wes resides in the town of Pictou with his wife Kate and two children, Evan and Ella.

Marie Manning is the Vice President of Business Development and Chief Commercial Officer with Halifax International Airport Authority (HIAA). In this role, she leads a team that is responsible for overseeing all commercial activities, including air service development (passenger and cargo), non-aeronautical revenue development, airport experience, marketing, communications and government relations.  Over the nearly 20 years in the airport industry, she has led teams that received awards for marketing, public relations, crisis communications, business development and customer service. Marie holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BComm) Co-op degree from Memorial University, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Victoria, and ICD.D designation through the ICD-Rotman Directors Education Program (DEP).

Beatrice Stutz was born and raised in Switzerland where she studied and graduated with a college degree in the pharma industry. In the Spring of 2000 Beatrice and her family moved to Nova Scotia and opened Domaine de Grand Pré and Le Caveau Restaurant. Fast forward, in 2021, Beatrice alongside her husband Jason Lynch opened their new restaurant, Cumin Kitchen & Drink in New Minas and a couple short months later, her and her team at the winery, added The Inn at Grand Pré Winery to round out the offerings at Domaine de Grand Pre. In the Spring of 2022, Beatrice assumed the CEO position for Domaine de Grand Pre. She has gained experience in the hospitality/tourism industry over the past 24 years. The winery and restaurant have become a very popular destination for individual and group travelers from all over the world. During peak season, Domaine de Grand Pre with its vineyards, tasting room, inn and restaurant, employs roughly 90 people. Beatrice is an executive board member of the Nova Scotia Tourism industry Association and chairs the Nova Scotia Tourism Human Resource council. She is also an active member on the board of WGNS (Wine growers of Nova Scotia) and the Chair of the Nova Scotia Icewine Fest Association.

John Simon is an experienced business professional operating in both multinational organizations and entrepreneurial start-up businesses. His work experience covers a wide range of industries including travel, telecommunications, energy, government, logistics, financial services, and resources. His business and technology background has allowed him to build and manage teams in the development of new business, delivering new customer solutions, and defining and implementing new corporate strategies. Currently John is sharing his passion for travel through Hygge Life Travel, a unique organization offering customized personal travel experiences for its members, as well as through Canadvac Travel Services. Canadvac is a leading receptive travel specialist for Eastern and Central Canada which is focused on local tourism partners and providers. Canadvac prides itself in offering quality tourism products, highlighting smaller accommodations and unforgettable experiences showcasing the unique diversity of the region.

A graduate of Mount Saint Vincent University, Darlene has held senior leadership positions within the tourism industry for over 25 years. Darlene is current Chair of the Board for Tourism HR Canada, and Chair of the Atlantic Canada Tourism Caucus - representing thousands of tourism business throughout Atlantic Canada. She was past President of Canada CHRIE, a group representing educators and industry associations in Canada, and the Nova Scotia Association of Industry Sector Councils. Darlene was the inaugural recipient of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC), Hall of Fame Award for Leadership in Human Resources.