Learn. Share. Network.

Join us at the highly anticipated 2024 Learning Exchange, a premier gathering that brings together a diverse community of thought leaders, professionals, and enthusiasts from across the realms of business, culture, and innovation. As a cornerstone of our organization, this event serves as a dynamic platform for fostering collaborative dialogue, sharing groundbreaking ideas, and cultivating lasting connections.

Anona Kampe, from the Penticton Indian Band, a member community of the Syilx Okanagan Nation

Anona Kampe is a member of the Penticton Indian Band within the syilx Okanagan Nation. Anona’s traditional name is sknir̓mn, which translates to Buttercup. She is a singer, drum carrier, beadworker, storyteller, dancer, teacher, harvester, disciplinarian, knowledge keeper, nsyilxcn language speaker, land and water protector and a woman who follows Okanagan protocols.

Leeann Froese, Town Hall Brands

Vancouver-based Leeann Froese loves connecting with people — and making connections between the people she meets. She is an industry cheerleader, social media influencer, speaker, mentor and the person people call to find out what’s happening in British Columbia’s beverage industry. Leeann co-owns Town Hall Brands, running the agency and using her 25+ years of experience to consult with clients in BC and around the world on branding, brand identity and storytelling. Froese builds strategies that bring success, and she counts each of her clients’ victories as her own. When not working, she is volunteering as a member of the BC Hospitality Foundation, and the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’ Escoffier, a society of professional women supporting women in careers related to wine, food and hospitality.

Oliver Sommer, Sommer Digital Inc.

With a career in digital marketing spanning decades, Oliver was leveraging the power of the internet since the early days of online classifieds and job boards. He worked in a senior capacity for various media companies including the Globe and Mail, Lethbridge Herald and Black Press, contributing to their transition to a digital world and held senior roles in advertising agencies including Nationwide, RecruitAd and Tamm Communications where he guided hundreds of clients to successfully embrace digital marketing. His passion is learning about the ever-changing digital marketing landscape and then applying what is learned to clients who can benefit.

Tim Carson, CEO, Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies

Tim is a rural community enthusiast, small town champion, soap box educator and a cheerleader for volunteers. Tim truly believes in the power of people to positively influence the community around them. Volunteering from an early age, Tim has experienced the amazing opportunities becoming involved can bring. Becoming involved with his local Agricultural Society over 25 years ago influenced his career path, which led him to become the Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Association of Agricultural Societies. Tim has had the privilege of serving Alberta's Ag Societies for more than a decade.

Keith Currie, Publisher, Vernon Star News

Keith served as Publisher for the Comox Valley Record & Comox Valley Echo, Publisher for the Alberni Valley Times for a short period after serving the Echo as sales representative, then sales manager for over 10 years. Keith was a Canadian Tire dealer in Ontario for several years before bringing his family back to the West Coast. Keith sat on the Board of Comox Valley Exhibition and Strathcona Sunrise Rotary, as well is very active with and a Director of B.C. Fairs in his previous position.

Clayton Botkin, P.Ag. CRM B.Sc (Hons)

Clayton Botkin is a licenced professional agrologist and one of Canada’s thirteen licenced poultry judges with the American Poultry Association. Clayton has raised and exhibited exhibition poultry for over 25 years across Canada and the United States. Clayton’s career has crossed among the various poultry sectors and government and offers significant experience in managing poultry, production, and disease. Clayton is currently completing his One Health Masters  egree at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, studying the interrelationship between animals, humans and the environment, with a focus on avian influenza. Recently, he completed a certificate in risk management at Simon Fraser University. Clayton is currently the project manager for the BC Poultry Industry Emergency Operations Center, and the project manager for the BC Small Flock Poultry Health, Biosecurity and Disease Prevention program among his many other volunteer and professional commitments.

Eliana Bray, Cree-Ation Nation

As an adoptee from the Kehewin Cree Nation in Alberta, Eliana Bray is one of only a few Indigenous Sommeliers and has a culinary background. She is also a management professional and consultant in all aspects of wine, BC Wine and liquor retail, all types of liquor licenses, sales, service, hospitality, and tourism.

Marlee Pateman, CAIB (HONS), RIBO

Marlee has been a licensed insurance broker since 2006. Over those years, she has strived to obtain a vast knowledge of many areas of Insurance, including but not limited to Automobile, Personal Lines, Recreation, Agriculture, Farms, Equine and now primarily Commercial Lines. Marlee’s main area of expertise is all sectors of Agriculture, Water Suppliers/Distributors and Water and Wastewater Contractors. Marlee brings a high level of expertise and customer service to her clients and prides herself on building and maintaining long-lasting, professional relationships.

Dr. Victoria Bowes

IDr. Victoria Bowes has worked at the Provincial Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in Abbotsford, BC since 1989 as a specialist pathologist with expertise in Avian Pathology. Her diagnostic caseload involves disease investigations in all species of birds (wild, pet, zoological and poultry). Dr. Bowes also co-developed the BC Ministry of Agriculture’s Small Flock Poultry Health Extension Program and has delivered over 150 poultry health workshops to both small flock owners and non-poultry veterinary colleagues. Dr. Bowes is a diplomat of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians (ACPV) and was also the inaugural chair of the Small Flock Committee of the American Association of Avian Pathologists (AAAP). Dr. Bowes has been a key player in 5 outbreaks of Notifiable Avian Influenza in BC’s Fraser Valley and is an internationally recognized expert in AI in poultry. She recently established a mobile veterinary practice specializing in small flock poultry medicine.

Allison Markin, All She Wrote Consulting

Allison is the founder and principal of All She Wrote Consulting, remote working from Penticton, BC. All She Wrote creates marketing communications strategies thoughtfully paired with goal-oriented business and development planning, and Allison has more than twenty-five years of experience in communications, starting as a small-town journalist, making a foray into the arts and culture sector, becoming a senior manager in the public sector, to hanging her shingle under All She Wrote. She does freelance writing and editing with select clients, is a seasoned grant and proposal writer, is well versed in traditional marketing, media relations, and crisis communications, and a professional wine judge.

Angie Quaale, Well-Seasoned Gourmet Foods, Inc.

Angie Quaale is a champion for ALL things local. She is a cookbook author ("Eating Local in the Fraser Valley", Random House 2018), a chef and an entrepreneur. Angie lives in Langley, BC and has owned Well-Seasoned Gourmet Foods Inc. since 2004. Angie is a regular guest chef with cooking segments on Global BC and CTV Vancouver, she is a contributing culinary expert on CBC and for Black Press BC. Angie also spent many years practicing and mastering the art of Low & Slow, traditional Southern Style BBQ and a decade competing in BBQ competitions all over North America Angie can be seen doing cooking demos and events at various trade shows throughout the region.

Kris Fuller, Founder, Your Life Sparkles

Meet Kris Fuller, a dynamic individual with a kaleidoscope of talents and experiences. A proud graduate of the University of Alberta, she currently serves as an Executive Director in the non-profit sector, is President of the Okanagan Artists of Canada Society and is a vital member of the Tourism Commission in Vernon.

She is an Award-Winning Community Achiever and her natural storytelling abilities allow her to share her experiences authentically, creating a connection with her audience. Kris is the founder of Your Life Sparkles and she is incredibly passionate about community. She actively engages in volunteer work and inspires others to recognize the transformative power of connection and giving back.

Kris's provides a dynamic blend of enthusiasm and a genuine desire to uplift and connect with her audience. Her favourite colour is blue, she resides in Vernon, BC with her 2 cats and art studio where karaoke always on standby.

Registration

2024 BC Fairs Learning Exchange

April 14 - 16, 2024

Penticton Trade & Convention Centre

273 Power Street, Penticton, BC

Accomodations

Arrangements for accommodations have been made with the Four Points by Sheraton Penticton at the Convention Centre. Special rates apply. Book early, rooms are limited.

The special BC Fairs rate is available until March 22, 2024!

Group Name: BC Association of Agricultural Fairs & Exhibitions 2024

Group Code: BCF

Rates Start at: $159.00, plus applicable taxes, based on single/double occupancy. Additional adults 18+ are

an additional $25 per night plus applicable taxes. Guest room rates are available 3 days pre and post-event

dates – based on availability.

• Complimentary wireless internet access
• Complimentary fitness center and pool access
• Complimentary parking
• Complimentary local and 800 calling
• Pet rooms are available upon request, nightly fee applies