òòò½ÎÑ Cultivates
Embark on a journey that ignites your senses and sparks your curiosity!
òòò½ÎÑ Cultivates returns to Kelowna to celebrate Okanagan food, beverage and tourism. Hop on board to meet and mingle over delicious pairings and live music in the stunning KF Centre for Excellence. Then sit back and enjoy conversations with renowned local innovators and leaders passionate about the Okanagan.
Wednesday, May 28, 2025
KF Centre for Excellence
5800 Lapointe Drive
Kelowna, B.C.
Event Agenda
Tasting and Experience Festival
Savour an all-inclusive tasting event featuring beverages from innovative local producers. Pair your drink with delicious bites and take home a keepsake tasting glass. Tasting partners include:
- BC BTAC
- Gray Monk Estate Winery, Sandhill Wines and Tinhorn Creek Winery
- Maison Mulnati
- Nostalgia Wines
- O Lake Cafe and Bistro
- òòò½ÎÑ's Culinary and Pastry teams
- Okanagan Lavender and Herb Farm
- Pick Thai Restaurant
- Ready to Cook
- Relvas Catering
- Scenic Road Cider
- Three Lakes Brewing
- Township 7 Vineyards and Winery
Innovators in Conversation
Listen in on an insightful panel discussion on the unique opportunities and challenges local businesses face in navigating transportation issues. The conversation will conclude with an interactive Q&A, giving the audience a chance to engage directly with the panelists.
Michael J. Ballingall
Senior Vice President, Big White Ski Resort
Michael J. Ballingall is the Senior Vice President of Big White Ski Resort Ltd., and a recognized leader in the adventure tourism industry. Known throughout the sector simply as Michael J., he has built a distinguished career in hospitality, resort operations, sales, and marketing.
Michael plays an active role in shaping tourism policy and development across British Columbia. He has served on the board of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) since 1997, and for the past six years, he has led the organization through both growth and unprecedented challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
In addition to his work with TOTA, Michael is President of the Tourism Big White Society and Chair of the TELUS Interior and Northern BC Community Board. He also sits on several key industry boards, including the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia, Tourism Kelowna, and the Canadian Ski Council.
Krista Mallory
Manager at Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission
is the manager of the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC), a service of the Regional District of Central Okanagan based in Kelowna, B.C. A believer in the power of working together, Krista supports Canada’s fastest growing metro area by developing and nurturing relationships and connecting newcomers, businesses and entrepreneurs to community resources and networks. In addition to acting as a connector, Krista leads a team of seven highly skilled professionals and a 45-member Advisory Council in advancing workforce development, business retention and expansion and investment and talent attraction initiatives.
Krista joined the Commission in 2016 after a decade of experience in the financial sector and nonprofit sector supporting female entrepreneurs as a loans analyst/business advisor. She also serves on a variety of boards and committees including the Community Futures Central Okanagan Board, Accelerate Okanagan Board and the BC Net Zero Innovation Network.
Grant Stevens
Chief Corporate Services Officer at KF Aerospace
Grant Stevens, B. Comm, CPHR, is the Chief Corporate Services Officer with KF Aerospace, a leading Canadian aerospace company with over 1,200 staff that competes globally in aircraft maintenance & engineering, military pilot training, aircraft leasing, passengers & cargo flying.
As part of the Senior Executive team, he leads all business support functions at KF including Finance, Human Resources, Training, Payroll, IT, Facilities, Marketing & Communications. Grant has spent over 30 years developing people solutions. He cut his teeth in forestry before flying over to aviation with KF in 2005.
At KF he has led the organization through the covid pandemic, major business realignments, implemented innovative staffing solutions, and developed significant training partnerships. Grant is an industry activist, formally chairing TransCDA in BC, currently sits on the board of the CCAA and works closely with AIAC and ATAC.
Neil Fassina
òòò½ÎÑ President
Dr. Neil Fassina became òòò½ÎÑ's President in April 2021, drawn to the institution for its reputation for transforming lives and communities.
Fassina holds a PhD in Management from the Rotman School of Business at the University of Toronto, a BSc in Psychology from the University of Calgary and is a chartered professional in human resources (CPHR), and a chartered director through the Institute of Chartered Directors (ICD.D). As an active researcher, he has authored or co-authored a number of refereed articles, a Canadian Human Resource Management text, and pursues research interests in negotiations, applied decision making, and the role of education in shaping societies.
Prior to joining òòò½ÎÑ, Fassina was the President of Athabasca University (2016-21). He served previously as Provost and Vice President Academic at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and the Dean of the JR Shaw School of Business and School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. He has taught as part of his academic career at the University of Toronto, the University of Calgary, the University of Manitoba, and in executive environments.
òòò½ÎÑ supports and training
BC BTAC
British Columbia (BC) Beverage Technology Access Centre (BTAC) supports the BC’s beverage sector via research and innovation services and training opportunities to:
- Innovate products to meet consumer demand for on-trend beverages
- Foster adoption of the “circular economy†within the beverage sector
- Solve technical challenges and identify and remediate issues
- Develop highly qualified and skilled personnel (HQSP)
The BTAC has a record of excellence in supporting beverage sector innovation in the Okanagan and its services are unique in the province.
Careers Hub
Careers Hub is where òòò½ÎÑ trained talent and community partners intersect to build key connections and valuable employment relationships.
Careers Hub facilitates pathways for òòò½ÎÑ students and alumni to connect with employment and Work Integrated Learning opportunities, and provides the opportunity for valued community partners to hire and make direct connections with òòò½ÎÑ students.
Tourism Management Diploma
This diploma is designed to give students real-world knowledge, skills and opportunities to advance careers in the mountain resort tourism sector. Upon graduation, students will be ideally suited for supervisory or front-line management positions in tourism.
Continuing Studies and Corporate Training
Be inspired to learn with Continuing Studies and Corporate Training at òòò½ÎÑ, providing you with in-demand skills that work for your life, your business and your career. Develop skills that employers are looking for and take your career to the next level.
Explore Continuing studies programs