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).

An Acadia University Bachelor of Business Administration graduate, David was a founding partner of Planters Equipment Limited, a John Deere agriculture and consumer equipment dealership serving the Annapolis Valley, now Green Diamond Equipment. David started a marketing and public relations consultancy which led to working in the Office of the Premier. He later became Executive Director of the Wolfville Business Development Corporation and co-led the rebranding of Wolfville making it Atlantic Canada’s premier wine and culinary destination. In its 14th season, Magic Winery Bus has been recognized by TIANS with its Innovator Award and is a top ten NS experience declared by Destination Canada. For three seasons, it operated in the Niagara, Ontario wine region and remains North America’s only wine tourism experience on board an authentic British double decker bus. Committed to community, he is a lifelong champion of positive youth development and is a 4-H Club leader and past chair of the Canadian 4-H Foundation and 4-H Canada. He has served as a director of the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival, Acadia University Alumni Association, District Health Authority and is the past chair of the Valley Regional Hospital Foundation. David resides in Port Williams with his daughter Taylor.

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.