Sun Peaks, BC (May 19, 2016) – Tourism Sun Peaks today announced that Arlene Schieven will be returning home to British Columbia this summer as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the destination marketing organization for Canada’s second largest ski resort.

Schieven, who is currently the President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Sun Valley Marketing Alliance in Idaho, replaces Christopher Nicolson who recently joined the Canada West Ski Areas Association as President and CEO.

“Arlene’s incredible depth and her 25 years of experience in marketing, tourism and resort management allows us to continue building the future of our international mountain resort,” explained John Douglas, Chair of Tourism Sun Peaks.

“As Tourism Sun Peaks celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, our more than 1600 members are looking forward to working alongside Arlene and team to develop new markets, attract more visitors, and enhance the brand and reputation of Sun Peaks Resort around the world.”

In addition to Sun Valley, Schieven was previously Vice-President of Marketing at Tourism Whistler, head of the Tourism Marketing Management Program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, an MBA marketing instructor at Royal Roads University, and a long-time tourism marketing and research consultant with destinations such as Banff, Lake Louise, Vancouver, and Penticton. Extensive work on the 2010 Olympic Games portfolio adds to her comprehensive and impressive background.

“The chance to return home and be part of the highly-regarded Sun Peaks team is an incredible opportunity, particularly as the resort continues to build on its well-earned national and international reputation,” said Schieven, a competitive trail runner, Nordic skier, and cyclist who has represented Canada internationally.

“My direct resort experience at both Sun Valley and Whistler have put me in touch with high profile destinations around the world, but the time is right to return to British Columbia. As a result, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with industry colleagues and friends, while putting my growing network of contacts to work on behalf of Sun Peaks.”

This is an exciting time for Sun Peaks. Coming off a record winter season with tremendous snow conditions and visitation numbers, the resort is in a strong position for future growth as it moves into the successful and ever-developing summer season. The future is bright, and the addition of Arlene Schieven to complement an already strong team of professionals bodes very well for the destination overall.

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About Sun Peaks
Sun Peaks is a four season resort community located in the interior of British Columbia. With the addition of two, new alpine ski zones for the 2014-15 winter season, it now ranks as the second largest ski area in Canada. Most recently declared the #2 Ski Destination in Canada by Canadian Living Magazine’s Reader Poll and Best Overall Resort #2 by the Editors’ Choice Awards in the SBC Resort Guide in 2013, Sun Peaks is continually rated one of the top ski experiences in North America. The award winning resort design features three mountains surrounding an intimate ski-in, ski-out village filled with shops, restaurants and hotels. In other seasons, Sun Peaks offers a diverse range of leisure activities including 18 holes of golf on B.C.’s highest golf course, both downhill and cross country mountain biking, lift accessed alpine hiking as well as numerous concert events and festivals. Sun Peaks Resort was the first ski resort in North America and still the only resort in Canada to receive the ISO 14001 designation recognizing the resort’s environmental policies and practices. Sun Peaks can be accessed by two airport gateways – Kamloops (45 minutes) and Kelowna (2.5 hours) and also by car; only a four hour drive separates Sun Peaks and Vancouver, B.C.

For further information please contact:

Aidan Kelly
Director, Sales and Marketing
Sun Peaks Resort
Tel: 250-578-5405
marketingdirector@sunpeaksresort.com