Experience

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  Katz Communications

  • Fort Smith, NWT

  • Principal

    • 1993 - Present
    • Fort Smith, NWT

    Journalist and tourism copywriter• Articles have appeared in Canadian Geographic, Reader’s Digest, Homemakers, Explore, Outdoor Canada, Up Here, VIA Destinations and Up Here Business, among others.* Produced advertorials, species-at-risk fact sheets, travel media storylines, trip itineraries for consumer audiences, content for electronic newsletters and websites, updated and visitors guides. Clients have included Parks Canada and Northwest Territories Tourism.Travel Media Relations Trainer• Parks Canada• Travel Alberta• Northwest Territories Tourism* Waterloo Regional Tourism Marketing Corporation* Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization* Travel Media Association of CanadaAuthor of four books:* The Mad Trapper: The Incredible Tale of a Famous Canadian Manhunt (2004)* Gang Wars (2005)* Cold Cases (2010)* Justice Miscarried: Inside Wrongful Convictions in Canada (2011)

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  Parks Canada

  • Government Administration
  • 700 & Above Employee

  • Product Development & Planning Officer

    • Feb 2019 - Mar 2021

    * Developed and delivered a best practices webinar for a national program offered at sites across Canada* Coordinated the content development and production of Xplorers booklets for children 6 to 11 years old* Prepared a five-year forecast for the renewal of 105 Xplorers program booklets for children* Created and led the development and implementation of #BackyardXplorers, a project to engage young families virtually through a social media campaign and downloadable online activities* Drafted a strategy to help Parks Canada sites evaluate when and how to offer a national program for children during COVID-19* In a client-centred environment, provided guidance and support to Parks Canada sites conducting an evaluation of their visitor offers and provided them with the tools to develop a Visitor Experience strategy.

  • Promotions Officer

    • Sep 2015 - Feb 2019

    Responsible for promoting eight national parks and historic sites in the Northwest Territories and Inuvialuit Settlement Region. * Develop and implement advertising plans and manage ad budget;* Coordinate travel media and travel trade relations;* Social media strategy and content development;* Develop promotional collateral including brochures, rack cards and banners;* Coordinate and attend consumer shows;* Develop and manage relationships with strategic partners;* Develop and implement tactical plans;* Provide strategic marketing advice to managers;* Develop tourism packages.

  • Visitor Experience Product Development Officer

    • Dec 2013 - Aug 2015

    * Coordinate and manage fly-in Arctic base camp trips into Ivvavik and Tuktut Nogait national parks guided by Parks Canada staff. Includes booking air charters, managing the trip reservations process and guest communications, hiring cooks and cultural hosts, developing and evaluating the implementation of protocols to ensure the consistent and high-quality delivery of the camping trip program, pre-trip orientation and post-trip surveys and evaluations.* Create communications and promotional materials for visitors, including reviewing the website content in English and French, writing promotional copy and travel media story lines, developing tweets and Facebook updates, posters and e-blasts.Accomplishments:- Developed protocols to ensure the consistent delivery of the Arctic base camp trip product- Planned and held a workshop in the community of Aklavik to promote employment opportunities as cooks and cultural hosts for Arctic base camp trips. Result: received expressions of interest from nearly double the number of hosting positions that were available- Created "Imagine your day in Ivvavik" social media campaign of linked posts using urban concepts juxtaposed with park imagery e.g. Depicting rush hour as a herd of caribou running by- Increased the number of visitors to the Arctic base camp in Ivvavik National Park by nearly 65% in 2014- Won the Parks Canada CEO Award of Excellence for Creating Memorable Visitor Experiences

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  Parks Canada - Southwest NWT Field Unit

  • Fort Smith, NWT

  • Promotion Officer

    • Dec 2010 - Nov 2013
    • Fort Smith, NWT

    Working for Nahanni National Park Reserve and Wood Buffalo National Park, responsibilities included:* Developing publications including rack cards, brochures, a general information package, and a trip planning itinerary* Coordinating and attending consumer shows* Planning and implementing ad buys, participating in co-op advertising, and coordinating production of creative* Coordinating familiarization tours with travel media and travel trade* Coordinating visitor surveysShe also:* Developed an interpretive program about endangered whooping cranes called "Frequent Flyers"* Developed a Citizen Science program that gave visitors a chance to participate in scientific research alongside Parks Canada staff* Delivered step-on bus tours

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  Travel Media Association of Canada

  • Co-Chair, Conference Sponsorship Committee

    • 2010 - 2011

    Developed a proposal that increased the visibility of sponsors at the association's 2011 national conference, negotiated agreements and implemented a strategy to attract sponsors. Raised more than $58,000 in sponsorships within six months.

  • President

    • 2009 - 2010

    Supervised office staff and led the 13-member board of directors of a 450-member association of travel journalists and tourism industry representatives.Served on the national board from 2008-2012. Also served on governance committee and finance committee for three years. Oversaw $250,000 budget.

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  Sutherland House

  • Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

  • Clinical Supervisor

    • May 2008 - Feb 2009
    • Fort Smith, Northwest Territories

    Supervised staff of 12 frontline workers at a shelter for victims of domestic violence; ensured shelter policies and procedures were followed; provided support to staff and residents; responsible for staff scheduling and approving time sheets; attended territorial meetings of women’s shelters; updated policies and procedures manual.

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  Projets autochtones du Québec

  • Montreal, Canada Area

  • Journalism Instructor

    • 2005 - 2006
    • Montreal, Canada Area

    Led journalism program for aboriginal youth. Organized and taught workshops and led field trips; coordinated production of the students’ newsletter as their final project. Also led a youth exchange to an Inuit village in northern Quebec.

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  Professional Writers Association of Canada - Toronto Chapter

  • President, Quebec Chapter

    • 2002 - 2005

    Planned and implemented initiatives to increase membership involvement and promote the organization in Montreal. Initiated monthly meetings and professional development sessions; revived the chapter newsletter and ensured it appeared regularly three times a year. Grew the chapter's membership by 20 percent.

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  Professional Writers Association of Canada

  • Conference Coordinator

    • 1999 - 2001

    Coordinated a national conference held in Montreal: oversaw site selection and management, sponsorship, programming, registration and social activities.Managed a budget of $150,000.