A long-time veteran of the travel and hospitality industry, Ingrid Jarrett is the Owner of IJ Management Consulting and the Vice President Business Development and General Manager for Watermark Beach Resort in Osoyoos, British Columbia. Ingrid Jarrett Management is a successful management, marketing, business development and brand consulting firm. Ingrid’s passion for local community, food access and food sovereignty for all compels her to work with all layers of the food system championing a change in language and action. Immersive travel experiences and authentic culture, history and refreshingly local are all drivers of slow, conscience travel.

Ingrid’s ability to challenge the norm, and think in new creative ways – while ensuring the goal is kept in focus has afforded her positions and opportunities allowing her contribution to impact company direction, and resulted in successful business change. Her ability to build partnerships and impact the tourism industry provincially, regionally and locally has positively impacted many tourism businesses. Ingrid’s portfolio includes Watermark Beach Resort, Canadian Pacific and Fairmont Hotels as well as a key driver for the development of Boutique Hotels and Resorts of British Columbia. Ingrid continues to consult for resort developments, both new builds and repositioning existing properties. Ingrid owned and operated her own company in the agri-tourism field as well as strategic planning and brand development. Ingrid’s leadership skills are strong, developing operations, and identifying the unfair advantage in both operations and marketing destinations are key strengths.

Ingrid’s Tourism Board experience includes British Columbia, Thompson Okanagan, Edmonton, Victoria and Kelowna. Ingrid presently holds the position of Past Chair of the Board for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and is currently President of the British Columbia Hotel Association, as well as on the Tourism Advisory Committee for Destination British Columbia. Ingrid has volunteered for the Disaster Recovery team for the Burns Lake Recovery as well as the Grand Forks Flood recovery project. The Okanagan Culinary Foundation currently benefits from her contribution as an advisor. Ingrid was awarded WXN Canada’s Top 100 most powerful women award in 2017, as well as Hotelier of the year and voted in the Top 20 most influential people in the Okanagan Valley for 2012. Won the President’s Award for the Economic Development Association of BC in 2012 as well as the Marketing award under $15K in 2012 by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

Ingrid has taught either on a volunteer capacity or professionally in Tourism and Hospitality at Camosun College, The University of Victoria as well as Royal Roads University. Ingrid is also involved in the support and development of culinary and agri-tourism in the Thompson Okanagan region through her affiliation with local producers and growers, and is currently the past Convivium President for Slow Food Thompson Okanagan and is Vice Chair for Slow Food in Canada.