Annual General Meeting 2025
The NKLT AGM will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at the Nelson Museum, Archives & Gallery.
- 5-6pm - Networking, exploring the gallery and live music by Sarah Orton.
- 6-7pm - The Annual General Meeting & Elections and special guest speaker Tom Thompson from the Nelson & District Chamber Of Commerce.
Here are the Minutes from the September 12, 2024 AGM. We are thankful for your time, insights and for being part of our tourism family.
The 2025 AGM Agenda is available here.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism Society is made up of the following 12 seats, each serving two-year terms, up to a maximum of six consecutive years.
2025 NKLT Uncontested Board Directors
Food, Beverage & Retail
- Rob Little, Owner / Adventure Hotel
Summer Representative
- John Dutton, Owner / Nelson Paddleboard & Kayak Rentals
Winter Representative
- Mike Reubenstein, General Manager / Whitewater Ski Resort
BDBHA-Balfour & District Business and Historic Association
- Alana Jenkins, Administration Coordinator / BDBHA
Accommodation Representative
- Marika Melville, Owner / Stirling Suites
Accommodation Representative
- Ryan Martin, Owner / Hume Hotel & Baker Street Best Western
2025 NKLT Midterm Board Directors
Nelson & District Chamber of Commerce/NAEDP
- Rebeckah Hornung, General Manager / Baldface Lodge
Village of Kaslo/Area D/Kaslo Chamber of Commerce -
- Debra Hamilton, Owner / Wing Creek Resort
Regional District ‘A’ and Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce
- Gisella Conrad, Owner / Boccalino Restaurant, Motel & Cabins
Accommodation Representative
- Mark Price, Director of Human Resources / Ainsworth Hot Springs Resort
2025 NKLT Board Elections
Arts & Culture Seat
Sydney Black (Incumbent)
Sydney Black is an experienced arts and culture leader with over a decade of work advancing inclusive, community-driven initiatives in the Columbia Basin. As Executive Director of the Nelson & District Arts Council, co-founder of the Nelson International Mural Festival, and Artistic Director of Black Productions, Sydney has consistently championed the integration of arts, heritage, and cultural diversity into the region’s identity. She serves on multiple boards and committees, including the City of Nelson’s Cultural Development Committee (Chair), ArtsBC (Kootenay Representative), and the Intercultural Kootenays Society (Treasurer), contributing strategic insight on cultural policy, governance, community engagement, and equity. Sydney brings a deep understanding of the intersection between cultural development and tourism, with a proven track record of fostering partnerships that strengthen both sectors.
Mélanie Pulla (Board Applicant)
Mélanie Pulla is the founder of Water Over Leaves, a Nelson-based tea company that weaves together wellness, cultural experience, and rural entrepreneurship. She recently opened a tea studio on the North Shore, where she offers tastings, guided tea ceremonies, and small-scale events designed to connect visitors with the land, local craft, and mindful living.
As a member of the Économusée network through BC Artisans at Work, Mélanie is part of a provincial and international initiative that supports artisan businesses in showcasing traditional skills and creating meaningful tourism experiences. Through this model, her studio serves as both a retail and interpretive space where visitors can learn about the art of herbal tea blending, tea ceremony, and its cultural roots.
Before settling in Nelson, Mélanie owned and operated a health food store and juice bar in Wakefield, Quebec—a creative village with a strong arts and tourism presence. That experience gave her practical insight into how local businesses and creative industries contribute to the vitality and visitor appeal of rural communities.
She has traveled extensively, including solo journeys through New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia, and has performed as a fire dancer at festivals. These experiences have deepened her understanding of how immersive, creative encounters can make a region memorable and meaningful to visitors.
Mélanie brings a blend of hands-on business experience and a deep commitment to local culture. She is passionate about supporting sustainable tourism, celebrating regional craft and creativity, and helping Nelson Kootenay Lake continue to grow as a vibrant and welcoming destination.
Member at Large Seat
Andrea Wilkey (Incumbent)
Executive Director / Community Futures Central Kootenay
MJ Armstrong (Board Applicant)
With over 15 years of national experience in corporate marketing, large scale events, and involvement in tourism, Melissa Armstrong brings a deep understanding of destination promotion, audience engagement, and community-based economic development. She has been a lead on major campaigns and events across Canada—from the Telus World Ski & Snowboard Festival to the Canadian Alpine Ski Championships—and worked closely with municipalities, nonprofits, corporate sponsors, and global brands to drive tourism growth.
As the founder of Intuit Movement Studio in Nelson, she has grown a grassroots wellness business significantly in three years, spearheaded vibrant community events like the sold-out Lip Sync Battle since 2021, and supported sustainable local tourism through partnerships, storytelling, and creative placemaking. She is passionate about building authentic visitor experiences that reflect and strengthen the spirit of the Kootenays. Her background combines boots-on-the-ground business ownership in the Kootenays with corporate strategic marketing leadership, giving her a strong position to contribute meaningfully to the Tourism Board's mission.
Strategic Directions
Vision
Nelson Kootenay Lake is globally renowned as a vibrant, welcoming, year-round mountain and cultural destination known for its exceptional experiences; authenticity; and diverse, unique communities.
Mission
To attract value-aligned travellers based on data-informed destination-management strategies and effective marketing initiatives intended to increase visitations and length of stays, which increases stakeholder revenues and contributes to the region’s economic sustainability.
For more information about our organization visit About Us.
The Region
TRAVEL BOOK
Read our visitors guide online or order a copy of the official visitor's guide and map for our region.
