Ingrid Jarrett

PRESIDENT & CEO

BCHA’s visionary and true industry champion, Ingrid’s love for the hospitality sector knows no bounds. Through her passion, Ingrid works with government, partners, and stakeholders to impact positive change that members can truly feel.

The first-ever female President and CEO of the British Columbia Hotel Association (BCHA), Ingrid Jarrett is an industry powerhouse who has spent the past three decades directly contributing to the tourism sector across BC and Canada⁠–indisputably making a positive impact through her leadership, ingenuity and drive.

Her impressive resume spans leadership roles at organizations like Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Watermark Beach Resort along with volunteer work in leadership positions on several tourism boards including Tourism Victoria, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), and Destination British Columbia (DBC), where she served as Vice Chair of the Marketing Committee. Ingrid also was one of 5 members of the Tourism Task Force working on behalf of industry in the creation of Destination BC. She currently sits on
the Biosphere advisory committee to support industry sustainability, and is a long-time Board Director with the Hotel Association of Canada. In 2018, Ingrid was awarded WXM’s prestigious Top 100 most powerful women in Canada.

Ingrid channels her extensive knowledge and acute insights into supporting and advocating for members of the hotel industry province-wide. She played an instrumental role in leading the hospitality sector out of crisis caused by COVID-19, and is deeply committed to industry equity, inclusion and safety; industry sustainability; and developing solutions to the current workforce shortage, among other advocacy issues. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, hiking, golfing, and travelling with her three daughters.

THE FUN STUFF

What kind of pet do you have, and how did you choose its name?
- rescue mutt – I let my children choose the name. Teddy.
If you had to listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- Vivaldi – Four Seasons
What animal do you think most closely matches your personality?
- My father always said I reminded him of a Gannet
If you could choose one age to be forever, what age would it be and why?
- My current age
What’s your favorite famous or inspirational quote?
- If you don’t think one person can make a difference, think of one mosquito in a room with one hundred sleeping people. Or: there are those that part the grass and those that make the path.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
- Norwegian breakfast
What’s your favorite hobby?
- travelling
What TV show or movie do you absolutely refuse to watch? Why?
- Anything violent or gory
Name one thing you’re willing to spend more money on to make sure you get the best quality.
- Food and wine
If you could live in any city, where would it be and why?
- Kelowna because I love it!
If you could change something in the world, what would it be?
- I would create peace for everyone. And eliminate greed.
How many different countries have you travelled to?
- 16
What is your favourite destination in British Columbia?
- The Okanagan
What has been your most rewarding moment working at the BC Hotel Association?
- Building meaningful partnerships
What upcoming industry trend most excites you?
- Greening the industry – sustainability.
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were in elementary school?
- A farmer
Where was your first job?
- Washing dishes
What motivates you?
- Making a difference
How do you wind down after work?
- walking
What’s something that has surprised you about your chosen career path?
- How ever changing it is, and how full of opportunity
What is your favorite thing to do when you’re not working?
- Skiing, traveling, reading, playing, cooking, entertaining.
What’s a topic you wish you knew more about?
- Who my ancestors were
Are you more productive in the mornings, afternoons or evenings? Why?
- Mornings – I love the beginning of a new day.
What’s the coolest or most interesting thing you’re working on right now?
- How to connect the commitments of the global hotel community with sustainable measurable green practises and turn them into tools operations in hotels can use.
How do you describe what you do for a living to family and friends?
- I tell them I am the hospitality industry.
What’s the best piece of professional advice you’ve ever received?
- Trust your instinct – always look for the opportunity.
What’s one of your proudest professional achievements?
- Canada’s Top 100 most powerful women award.