FIRE : Respect – Knowledge – Balance
FORUM DETAILS
Forum Dates
Friday, May 2 – Sunday, May 4, 2025
Price Information
Full Forum: $99.00 per person (includes entire weekend event)
Dinner Only Option: $45.00 per person (includes Saturday evening dinner event with Keynote Speaker)
Program Details
2025 Forum Speaker Info Coming Soon!
2025 Forum Agenda [PDF] Coming Soon!
REGISTRATION & PAYMENT DETAILS
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2025 Speakers
Daryl Cowell, B.A., M.Sc.,P.Geo.
Daryl was born in Hamilton, Ontario where he attended McMaster University, graduating in Earth Sciences. He graduated with undergraduate and M.Sc. degrees specializing in karst geomorphology - the study of the formation of caves and associated landforms. He began his work career with the Ministry of Natural Resources identifying and describing significant earth science features along the Niagara Escarpment (“ANSIs”). Daryl worked for Environment Canada between 1976 and 1989 on several national and international projects including the Acid Rain Program and the Great Lakes Program. In late 1989 he left the government to work in the private sector as a geological consultant specializing in environmental geology. He co-founded two environmental consulting firms then moved to Tobermory with his wife Judy in 2002 and has recently retired. Over the years he has worked for a wide range of clients including municipal, provincial and federal governments; private developers; major world bank institutions; and private commercial banks. In addition to his karst specialty, Daryl has also developed expertise in soils and land management working extensively in areas of forestry and forest plantation management. His work experience in Canada covers most of Ontario, northern and central Manitoba, northern Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Internationally he has worked in Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay, Romania, and Nigeria. He has given numerous guided walks, presentations, and courses within the local area and published a number of scientific papers. In 2004, he co-authored a book on the Geology and Landforms of Grey and Bruce Counties produced by the Owen Sound Field Naturalists which is currently being revised for the 2nd edition. He also recently provided a contribution on the Geomorphology of the Saugeen-Bruce Peninsula for a book on the Geomorphology of Eastern Canada. Daryl has been a member of the Board of Sources of Knowledge since 2015 and served as Chair between 2019 and 2022.
Simon Appolloni
Simon Appolloni is an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the School of the Environment, University of Toronto. He has taught courses on sustainability and ethics at the University of Toronto, Humber College and at Brock University over the past 16 years, including sustainable tourism when at Brock. His current research interest lies in understanding and utilizing pedagogies of hope that build resilience within students as they navigate their own futures amidst more severe, frequent, and prolonged weather events due to climate change. Simon loves hiking, especially along the Bruce Peninsula with its breath-taking beauty!
Michael P Hallé
Chairman & CEO 10GATES Matrix Inc., © The GPS for the Soul of Sustainable Travel. CEO NEST: Niagara Escarpment for Sustainable Travel. An NGO exclusively in the UNESCO NIAGARA BIOSPHERE RESERVE. Head of Operations and Destination Strategist with Transformational Travel Council. | Project Manager Transcend’24 | cocreator of the Transcend 2050 Initiative “From Carbon Footprints to Global Footsteps” Crafting a Legacy of Environmental Stewardship and Community Empowerment. With practical experience in working with marginalized communities, I advocate for celebrating regional cultural diversity and biodiversity as global differentiators and cultural unifiers for sustainable travel and tourism. My focus lies in research, strategy and branding regional destinations as a synthesis of cultural and ecological experiences, vital in both urban and rural settings. I am committed to projects that resonate with my ethos of social, cultural, and environmental responsibility.”
Caley Doran
Caley Doran's sound and perspective comes from Saukiing Anishinaabekiing territory, and he lives at Sauble Beach. He is an Anishinaabe Interpretive Guide with the Cape Croker Park Anishinaabe Cultural Experiences program at Neyaashiinigmiing, Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Caley has immense passion for Nimaamaa-Aki(Mother Earth) and after a 20+ year career managing large teams in the hospitality and tourism industry Caley chose a new path connected to his passion for nature and he now follows in the footsteps of his ancestors. Caley is on the board of directors of the Niagara Escarpment Biosphere Network, Peninsula Bruce Trail Club and Bagida-waad Alliance where he is a voice for those who can’t speak, the water, plants, the four-legged, trees, stone, creepy crawlers, the stone and the wind. You can find Caley guiding hikes and land-based learning across the vast Saugeen Ojibway Nation traditional territory.”
Ethan Meleg
Ethan Meleg grew up near Point Pelee National Park, which turned him into a bird nerd at a young age and inspired his passion for nature and parks. His Parks Canada career started in 1999 as a naturalist at Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park. He has grown into many different roles and spent a few years at Georgian Bay Islands National Park, before coming back to the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula a few years ago – this time with a family in tow. Ethan is a member of the park management team and is currently the acting Park Superintendent. Outside of his work with Parks Canada, Ethan is an accomplished nature photographer. His greatest passion is exploring parks and wild areas with his camera, whether on exciting trips or close to home.
William Hogg
As Business Development Executive with GreenStep Solutions, I will first and foremost be promoting a company offering services that are central to driving sustainable change in tourism. As the national leader in sustainable tourism programs, and the only Canadian-owned company offering sustainable tourism certification criteria recognized by the GSTC, I look forward contributing to GreenStep's growth across the country in its quest to change (and maybe help save) the world. Formerly Account Manager - Tour & Travel, International & Emerging Markets with Destination Sherbrooke for seven + years, I developed and deepened key relationships with tourism partners and travel buyers from the region, across Canada and around the world. The instigator of the Sherbrooke - Heart of the Townships brand, I strategically developed product and positioned the city, partners and the region in Canadian, American and international (Asian and European) leisure and tour & travel markets. Certified Sustainable Tourism Professional by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, and having been certified by Canada’s 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce, I also headed the Emerging Markets (Sustainable Tourism) portfolio with Destination Sherbrooke. Under my leadership, Sherbrooke became the first destination in Quebec to be GreenStep certified, based on GSTC recognized criteria. I also co-led the regional sustainable tourism GreenStep cohort with the SADC + CAE de l'Estrie and Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est, driving sustainable change in regional tourism models. Prior to that, I spent 3 years with the Canada Games - Sherbrooke 2013 as a senior-level manager in communications, marketing, and sport management, which required solid writing skills for marketing and communications tools, grant writing, public speaking, HR and public relations, and event planning.
Megan Myles
Megan grew up on the Saugeen Bruce Peninsula where her family has lived for over five generations. She has a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences from Quest University in Squamish, BC. In 2016, she opened The Fitz Hostel in Lion's Head, and as chair of the Bruce Peninsula Environment Group, she helped convene five levels of government on the NBP Sustainable Tourism Plan. In 2018, she was elected as councillor for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula. In this role, she served on the Waste Diversion Committee, Sustainable Tourism Advisory Group, and Climate Action Committee and helped create the municipality's first climate action plan. Now, she is Grey County's Climate Change Outreach and Engagement Coordinator. In her spare time, she is finishing up her MSc in Rural Planning and Development at the University of Guelph, where she's focused her research on municipal-Indigenous consultation in Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory. Megan also enjoys live music, growing and cooking food, hiking, biking, swimming, and sailing in Georgian Bay!
Noreen Steinacher
Noreen Steinacher is a community development worker and Board member for The Meeting Place Tobermory. She and her colleques are continually interested in implementing new organizational ideas, including developing a social enterprise - a revenue-generating business model whose objective is to have a social impact. Noreen lives full time in Tobermory with her husband Rod and they are involved in local environmental protection.
Erik Koning
Erik Koning is a computer engineering graduate, and an experienced entrepreneur leading as the President of Westlake Ebikes since 2020, a self-serve micro mobility system that can be deployed anywhere, and as the lead Technologist with Refdocs Inc, a web software for dental specialists. Erik began his entrepreneurial experience helping with Westlake's non-profit catamaran sailing school from 2009 - 2013, Erik has continually transitioned further into tech-enabled businesses since, focusing on efficiency and enhanced user experiences across each venture. His approach blends technical expertise with a commitment to innovation, and a northstar of perpetually improving the customer experience.
Tony Pigott
Tony has 35 years experience as a Marketing and Advertising professional including 14 years as CEO of J.Walter Thompson Canada. He also has extensive experience as an economic development specialist designing and implementing go to market programs with artisan communities in Haiti and Peru. Tony has worked closely with UNESCO Paris including initiating and leading a UNESCO, J. Walter Thompson, Government of Canada initiative that was launched at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. Tony is Chair of the Georgian Bay Geopark and Executive Director.
Kim Clarke
Manager, Stakeholder Relations, BruceGreySimcoe (RTO7). Kim has been with BruceGreySimcoe (RTO7) since April of 2015 and previously headed up the Tourism division at the County of Bruce. Throughout the span of her career, she has been leading, coaching and elbows deep in product and experience development. Seeing the big picture, collaborating with others and telling your story are a few of Kim’s main philosophies when it comes to experience development. She has worked on large award-nominated products like the Golf in Ontario that spans across most of the province and has helped small businesses develop their own experiences that will help add to their bottom line. Her role as the Manager, Stakeholder Relations has her working with other regional tourism organizations, municipalities, destination marketing organizations, and individual businesses to create amazing things for people to do when they travel. She is a big advocate for data driven decisions. Currently, one of her main projects is helping guide RTO7 along their Sustainable Tourism journey. Kim brings a background in business administration and a flair for creative marketing. She is passionate about creating amazing things to do in BruceGreySimcoe.
Adam Robins
Adam Robins is the owner of the Escarpment Heights Motel and Cottages in Tobermory. In addition to operating the Accommodation business with his wife Megan he develops properties for long term rental in Tobermory and the surrounding area. Adam was born and raised in Tobermory, and has been immersed in the tourism industry his entire life. He is a Civil Engineering Technician with over 15 years of residential and commercial construction experience. As a local business owner and real estate developer he is committed to providing quality short term accommodation and long-term housing on the Northern Bruce Peninsula.
Darci Lombard
Darci is a third-generation owner and operator of Summer House Park, a camping and cottage resort in Miller Lake. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Marine Sciences from the University of Guelph, as well as a Bachelor of Education from Queen's University, and has had the privilege to travel the globe through her work as an oceanographer and public educator. When she returned home to operate her family business, Darci combined her love for nature and education to enhance Summer House Park's offerings. Over the years she has collaborated with local experts to introduce diverse experiential tourism programs, including birding, hiking, and geology packages, artistic and cultural workshops, and nature-based programs. Passionate about sustainability, Darci has implemented waste and energy reduction measures within their business, embraces renewable energy, converted lighting to be dark sky compliant, and is actively pursuing a Sustainable Tourism Certification. Over the years Darci has been very active within the community and the tourism industry and has volunteered with organizations such as the Ontario Private Campground Association, Sources of Knowledge, and the Peninsula Adventure Sports Association. Currently, she serves on the boards of the Tobermory and District Chamber of Commerce and the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club. Outside of her professional life, Darci enjoys travelling and exploring the outdoors through hiking, biking, and paddling!
Elizabeth Thorn
Elizabeth Thorn is Chair of the Bruce Peninsula Biosphere Association. During her 14-year term she has also served for 11 years as volunteer CEO/Executive Director. Concurrently, she served as a Director on the Board of the Bruce Peninsula Bird Observatory with several years as Vice-President. Elizabeth was the CEO for two national not-for-profits before retiring. As a volunteer, she has applied her extensive executive management experience to guide the Biosphere Association toward achieving its mission of building community commitment and capacity for conservation and sustainable economic development while achieving concrete goals. During her tenure as volunteer Chair, Elizabeth has initiated and managed projects ranging from research, monitoring, planning and evaluation to community engagement and on-the-ground restoration. Through successful grant writing she raised several million dollars for Biosphere programs. One of the programs Elizabeth initiated is EcoAdventures, a sustainable tourism initiative offering guided tours for a fee that inspire and equip people to enjoy outdoor experiences designed to increase participants’ wish to preserve nature. Bayside Astronomy, another program started by Elizabeth, features volunteer astronomers showcasing our star-studded sky to motivate its protection by using dark sky lighting. Over the last ten years, it has attracted 20,000 tourists and local residents during July and August.