Speakers

Ogden Point Masterplan

The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority (GVHA) is a not-for-profit organization governed by a local Board of Directors. It owns and operates over 120 acres of deep water, marina and upland holdings throughout Victoria’s harbour including the large vessel Ogden Point port facility where a dynamic cruise tourism industry contributes over $130 million annually to the regional economy.  Victoria is Canada’s busiest cruise port of call. In 2017 Victoria welcomed 229 ship calls and over 599,000 passengers and 260,000 crew during the five-month cruise season.

Bio for Ian Robertson, CEO of GVHA
Prior to joining GVHA, Ian was CEO for the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC).  Before joining TIABC Ian held various senior positions in communications, government relations, sales and marketing with Rocky Mountaineer and served two terms as an elected park commissioner and chair of the park board in the City of Vancouver. Ian was Chair of the Vancocuver Parks Board in 2007 and led the Board through the most challenging time in the 100 year history of the Board – the windstorms that destroyed Stanley Park. Ian’s leadership efforts resulted in over $6 million dollars raised for the restoration and ongoing maintenance of Stanley Park.

In 2013 the Victoria Foundation and CFC began a dialogue on food security that has resulted in what is now one of the most ambitious and successful food rescue programs in the country, feeding over 35,000 people a month and diverting over 1.2 million pounds of fresh produce a year from landfill to hungry homes. Not only that, but recently, Victoria Foundation announced a $3 million grant from the Province of BC and the establishing of a new fund, the Food Security – Provincial Initiatives Fund, for food security initiatives across the province of BC. This secures the Greater Victoria Food Rescue program long-term and provides anchor food security infrastructure for the region. It also represents the culmination of years of work and roughly $1.8 million of community investment over the past 5 years by Victoria Foundation.

Need description and bio

Shelby Milholm is Regional Coordinator Nanaimo/Cowichan Valley for Canucks Autism Network.

Josh Simpson, President

The inception of Pacific FC was inspired by a theme familiar to many wayward Islanders; a desire to be back home on Canada’s west coast. Josh Simpson, himself raised on the Island, had to seek opportunities away from home in order to establish his playing career post University of Portland. When the Canadian Premier League opportunity arose, the idea of providing future local pros with a Vancouver Island option was too compelling to pass up. Simpson’s experience abroad, transition to finance, and contagious energy will be of huge value to a club built on youthful vibrancy and one that aspires to be best in class at every aspect. The former Canadian International will be moving his young family back home from Zurich Switzerland to lead the club’s operations.