Ottawa Tourism names new President & CEO

OTTAWA, Canada — Ottawa Tourism’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Crockatt as President & Chief Executive Officer of Ottawa Tourism effective 7 March, 2016.

“After an extensive national search that attracted candidates from across Canada and the United States, I am delighted that we been able to secure Michael for this important tourism leadership position,” said Geoff Publow, Chair of the Ottawa Tourism Board of Directors. Crockatt will take over from Interim President & CEO Dick Brown who has filled in since June 2015.

“I am excited and proud to be joining the amazing team at Ottawa Tourism. Representing our destination and helping to attract and welcome visitors to Ottawa is an honour and a privilege. With Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017, Ottawa will be the place to be. Our job at Ottawa Tourism is to maintain the momentum that is generated in 2017 and continue to grow Ottawa’s tourism sector which is the third largest economic contributor in the city,” said Michael Crockatt.

Crockatt has an extensive background in the Canadian travel and tourism sector, starting his career in Winnipeg as Director of Marketing for cargo and passenger services with the Winnipeg Airports Authority. In Ottawa, Crockatt served as Vice President, Business Development & Marketing with the Ottawa International Airport Authority for over eight years before he moved on to the position of Senior Vice President, Air Service & Business Development with InterVISTAS Consulting.

“The entire InterVISTAS team is proud to see Michael moving on to such a prestigious leadership position in the tourism industry,” said Deborah T. Meehan, President & CEO, InterVISTAS Consulting. “Michael developed strong, valued relationships with our aviation and tourism clients in Canada, and his presence will be missed.”

Beyond his professional engagement in the tourism industry, Crockatt has been a tireless contributor through his volunteer involvement. Currently he is the Chair of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the immediate Past Chair of the Board of Directors for the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), and a Past Chair of the Board of Directors of Ottawa Tourism. He has been recognized as the Ottawa Tourism Volunteer of the Year, has been a recipient of the Ottawa Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 and Airport Business Magazine’s Top 40 under 40.

“With his deep understanding and involvement with Ottawa’s business and tourism community and the respect industry partners have for Michael, it is a very exciting time for Ottawa Tourism,” said Geoff Publow.