Julie Kinnear is joining Ottawa Tourism as its vice-president of marketing and communications, starting in August.
A leader in tourism and hospitality, Kinnear became general manager at Hôtel-Casino du Lac‑Leamy and Casino de Mont‑Tremblant in 2024. She was the first woman to hold the job, becoming one of the few women in leadership roles across the Canadian gaming industry.
In her new role with the capital’s destination marketing organization, Kinnear will lead the marketing and communications strategy to strengthen the city’s “visibility and competitiveness as a premier Canadian urban destination,” according to a press release from Ottawa Tourism Tuesday.
“It’s a privilege to welcome Julie to our Ottawa Tourism team,” said president and CEO Michael Crockatt in the release. “She brings an exceptional combination of leadership, creativity and deep industry knowledge. A known figure in our sector, Julie has built a reputation as a collaborative and results-driven professional, and we are confident she will help take our marketing and communications efforts to the next level.”
It will not be Kinnear’s first role at a destination marketing organization. In 2019, she joined Tourisme Outaouais as principal director of marketing and strategic partnerships, before serving as president and CEO from 2021 to 2024.
Before that, she held a variety of managerial marketing roles at several large corporations, including Giant Tiger, Costco Canada and Kraft Heinz.
Kinnear said in the release that she’ll be bringing that experience to the new role.
“Having worked closely with partners across the Outaouais and Ottawa region throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the power of collaboration in building an integrated, vibrant and competitive destination. I look forward to working with the team and our industry partners to further elevate Ottawa’s profile and deliver meaningful impact for the community.”
