Rene Rondeau (right), now Destination Development Manager, Tourism Red Deer, Nancy Paish (middle), past board chair, Tourism Red Deer, and Lonny Kennett (left), Red Deer County councillor, speak at an open house earlier this year to celebrate Tourism Red Deer's anniversary. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

rene rondeau

Tourism Red Deer moves executive director into new pivotal role

Aug 23, 2023 | 10:08 AM

Tourism Red Deer’s Rene Rondeau, well-known locally for his time with RDTV and Channel 6, is moving into a new role at the organization.

The word comes just a few days after Tourism Red Deer announced a new CEO, Jesse Smith.

Rondeau, who has served as executive director since May 2020, now transitions into the role of Destination Development Manager, a position the organization describes as ‘pivotal.’

“I am very excited to channel my passion for tourism in this new role,” says Rondeau. “Together with our dedicated team at Tourism Red Deer, I look forward to focusing my work on developing a brighter and dynamic future for our members and our diverse tourism industry.”

Tourism Red Deer says the change is a ‘strategic internal shift,’ explaining that the position was approved only last December.

Voyent Alert!

Lacombe County introduces new notification system aimed at improving community safety

Apr 24, 2026

April 20

Two central Alberta residents arrested in Oyen

Apr 24, 2026

April 10

Red Deer and Blackfalds RCMP make multiple arrests on outstanding warrants

Apr 24, 2026

“The Tourism Red Deer Business Plan was developed from the input of the tourism community in our region and outlines the strategy that the organization is utilizing to create a successful Destination Development Corporation,” explains Nancy Paish, past chair.

“Destination development focuses on providing member and visitor services, fostering tourism development engagement, and assisting in business plan development. Researching and identifying experience opportunities to create, build on, and/or attract into our region.”

Paish adds that the role is key to the growth of tourism in the region, and representation outside the community.

Last March, at Tourism Red Deer’s 35th anniversary celebrations, both Rondeau and Paish talked about seeing Red Deer become a top event destination in Canada, even bringing in the likes of the Junos or CCMAs one day.

The stated target for achieving that national status was 2030, though there’s some flexibility due to COVID-19 halting the way organizations like Tourism Red Deer typically operate for a few years, Paish said.

Tourism Red Deer had just over 100 members in the spring.

by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Tourism Red Deer moves executive director into new pivotal role

What's Trending