The appointments are intended to strengthen Ottawa’s position in priority markets and support growth in the city’s meetings and convention sector. Both roles focus on sales development, account management and partner engagement across defined segments.

Focus on international and national business events growth

Angela Jefferies brings nine years of experience in the Canadian and international association market, including roles in hotel sales and at Destination Toronto. At Ottawa Tourism, she will lead international Business Events sales, with a focus on attracting global meetings to Ottawa and the National Capital Region and strengthening the destination’s international market presence.

Orest Gawdyda joins with several years of experience in the hospitality sector, most recently with the Regina Hotel Association, alongside a background in hotel sales and design. His role centres on account management and growth within key Canadian segments, including Indigenous, government and union, provincial association, and national and provincial sports organisations.