Brooks Alberta Photographer - Canadian Badlands Tourism Champions Revealed

Rachel Boekel, one of the CBT Ambassadors for the Newell Region, photographs my daughter while we gather images of our first crocus find of the year!

Here's a press release about the Canadian Badlands Tourism Ambassador program. I'm one of the ambassadors for the Newell Region, and it's been so much fun sharing some of the amazing sights and sounds from this area. I've had the chance to meet my fellow ambassadors, and they are very skilled, extremely friendly people. If you have an event or destination you think we should cover, give one of us a call! 

Canadian Badlands Announces Social Media Ambassadors
CALGARY (June 5, 2017) — Canadian Badlands Tourism (CBT) is pleased to announce the selection of several social media tourism ambassadors. These ‘Tourism Ambassadors’ are local
social media users, who will use their influence to showcase unique ways to experience the
Canadian Badlands. The crew will attend and promote local events, attractions and experiences
from now until the September long weekend.
“We are more than pleased to have such fine local ambassadors set to tell authentic stories of
this land and its people. By showcasing their experiences on social media others will be inspired
to visit the Canadian Badlands and seek out their own adventures. ” says Barry Morishita,
President of Canadian Badlands Tourism.
A total of 20 Tourism Champions have been selected in the following regions: Special Areas, the
County of Newell and Lethbridge. Here’s a snapshot of the ambassadors for the Newell Region:

Samantha Plett is a mother of two toddlers, wife to a farmer and photographer by passion. She
grew up in the Badlands, and is keen to show tourists the diversity of this region. “From the
prairies to the river to the hoodoos, we have such a variety in our own backyard,” she says. Her
go to on hot summer days is the outdoor swimming pool in Bassano, followed up by date night
at Montana’s.
Follow Samantha on Instagram @samanthaplettphotography

Rebecca Campbell moved from east to west seven years ago. She now lives in Brooks with her
husband and their three little boys. Her other passions include teaching yoga and meditation,
energy healing, writing and photography. She and her family love exploring Evergreen Park and
Rolling Hills Reservoir. She hopes to encourage tourism to the Canadian Badlands: “So others
can explore the diversity of the landscape and meet the incredibly kind and down to earth
people who live here.”
Connect with Rebecca on Instagram @themindfulmamalife or on her blog
www.themindfulmamalife.com

Ryan Kiedrowski is a photographer, dad, husband, and tourism advocate. He loves music, Macs
and Nikon (not necessarily in that order). According to Ryan, the Canadian Badlands is like no
place else on earth. “The vast territory of the Badlands means each community can be quite
different. The land shapes the people, and we have some amazing stories to tell.” Ryan
recommends visitors check out Spin Nightspot for a night out in Brooks. “They have several
themed nights with fantastic house and guest DJs,” he says.
Explore with Ryan on Instagram @rykieimagesevents and on Twitter @DuchessABphoto

Rachel Boekel is a mountain girl living a very rich prairie life as a visual story teller. She works
as a portrait and wedding photographer in Brooks. Rachel is a self confessed sucker for a big
sky, hoodoos, pronghorn antelope and the storms that roll over our fields and lakes. Her tourism
wish is simple. “Everyone should see a sunrise or sunset over the Badlands, or the golden glow
of a canola field in peak bloom. When you stop to listen and look, the landscape is wild and
diverse, and the people are the salt of the earth,” she avows.
Follow Rachel’s adventures on Instagram @rachelboekelphotography

Emily Duncan is into adventure, hockey, photography, writing and spontaneous drives to the
middle of nowhere. Many people have asked Emily why she left her home in the rolling hills of BC and her response is always the same. “I love being able to see forever across our prairies, and yet still be so close to such incredible landscapes like the coulees. I wouldn’t trade living here for the world, and I encourage anyone to come experience the grandeur of our Badlands for themselves.”
Connect with Emily on Instagram @emrosedee and on Twitter @Emrosedee
 
A spirited sunset chaser, Larae Pierson is is always up for an adventure. By day, she works with entrepreneurs and teams. Off hours, Larae spends time traveling or on the family ranch located north of the Red Deer River. One of her favourite things to do is tuck into juicy steak and weekend soup at the Patricia Hotel, where her Grandad’s brand is etched into one of the tables.
Connect with Larae on Instagram and Twitter @Return2Rural


Join the Party
Locals and tourists are encouraged to join the ambassador’s adventures. Simply follow the
hashtags #CBTAmbassador, #MyBadlands and #visitnewell on Twitter and Instagram to receive
the latest updates, and learn more about local gems in your region.

About Canadian Badlands Tourism
Canadian Badlands Tourism (CBT) is a not-for-profit Alberta Corporation providing a new and
innovative approach to creating an integrated, destination-based tourism industry in South-
Eastern Alberta. CBT is the largest co-operative regional partnership of municipal governments
in Alberta. The shareholders are 59 municipal governments, who recognizing the power of co-
operative efforts to develop and implement strategic regional tourism development plans.

For further details contact:
Jaime McIntosh
Newell Regional Tourism Association
E: jmcintosh@brooks.ca
T: 403-793-0623

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