Alister

Introduction of New NPB Director Candidates

Find out what each candidate has in mind for the Niseko area!

Name: Anthony Trovatello (Chook)

​Company: AntFarm Productions

Work Experience: 

Current business: consultant specialising in Ski Resorts/ Destination Tourism, Operations & Property Mgmt.

Previous experience: Worked (17 years) in a variety of tourism related fields as both freelance and Senior Mgmt level in Australia, Japan, HK, Taiwan & Canada , COO- SkiJapan.com- Managing Summer Japan, Niseko.com, NBS, Alpen Ridge, Fresh Cafe, Niseko Brand Apparel, Yotei Golf brands (8 years), Executive Committee member- Lake Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce/ Snowy Mountains Tourism (6 years) , Events Management (10 Years), Television producer/ presenter- Snowy Mountains TV (6 Years), National Ski Operations & Training Manager- Rebel Sport Aus. (8 Years), Outdoor Education Guide (6 Years), Freelance Writer/ Editor: Niseko.com Magazine, Snowy Times,  Summit Sun Newspaper (10 Years), Freelance Operations & Marketing Advisor for "Keelung for a walk"- Taiwan

Please share one of your goals if you were one of the new NPB directors:

To work closer with, unite & further build the partnership between the community and businesses- both local and international operators and gain their active support & involvement moving forward. To further raise the reputation of NPB and instill the belief from members that we are leading the way forward for Niseko marketing. For the NPB to be recognized as a major force behind the international tourism efforts on behalf of Niseko. To make Niseko a must visit destination both summer and winter.  To increase the profile of Niseko in the summer.  To instill the base line that when Niseko as a whole is successful- all businesses in Niseko are successful- we need to work together. To be a leader in international destination marketing. To improve the data collection and market research of Niseko business and tourism activity.

Please share your vision for Niseko:

To make Niseko a world- class, year round tourism destination that manages sustainable and consistant economic growth and ongoing worldwide appeal. To set Niseko apart from other resort destinations within Asia and globally to become a "must-see", "bucket list" experience. To bring all the cultures, operators & community together working as one towards this vision. To strongly preserve & further develop the Japanese culture in Niseko.

Name: Elsie Alice Nielsen

​Company: Niseko Photography KK 

Work Experience: 

I have a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Management where I received the Deans Honours Award for outstanding academic achievement and am nearly completed a Diploma of Graphic Design. During and after university I worked in the environmental industry in Australia for 10 years specialising in social marketing. At 25 I was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for NevRwaste a government agency in charge of environmental management and education in the entire North East Victorian area (including the 4 Alpine Resorts) and a Board member of the Association of Victorian Regional Waste Management Groups which heads up waste management in Victoria. After this position I moved to Japan to become the Owner Liaison Manager for SkiJapan for 2 years where I reported directly to the General Manager and managed many properties in the Niseko area. Following this I was recruited back to Melbourne Australia for 2 years as the Director Roberts Evaluation, a highly renowned social marketing and evaluation company. Finally after being given the opportunity to take over Niseko Photography & Guiding (Niseko Photography KK), my partner Darren Teasdale and I moved here permanently 4 years ago. I am now the Director of the company and oversee the entire operations of the photography/guiding element and our new subsidiary the Brick Bar.

Please share one of your goals if you were one of the new NPB directors:

If given the opportunity I can make a valuable contribution to the successful growth and sustainability of the Niseko area year around using my marketing knowledge and by providing a young and contemporary perspective to the Board. I would love to be able to help the NPB develop exciting and fresh new marketing campaigns to attract old and new customers alike, and compete with other resorts in the Northern Hemisphere which are currently making huge traction with strategic and targeted marketing campaigns. I strongly believe that with a united approach we can really define Niseko as the world's top resort and create sustainable futures for all businesses in the region in the winter and the green season. I am passionate about community and particularly as a foreigner in this beautiful place, ensuring the local Japanese community can benefit in a positive way from Niseko’s tourism.

Please share your vision for Niseko:

I would like to see Niseko as a vibrant inclusive and diverse community that celebrates the environment, sports, art, business and family. Niseko is one of the most positive places I have ever lived and I feel we can grow this in a progressive way to not only sustain the likes of developers and big business, but also support little business, families and communities. The uniqueness of this place offers an unparalleled opportunity where winter provides the worlds best powder, Japanese culture, food and a multi-national visitor base… and summer, a yet fairly undiscovered wonderland of even more culture, food, festivals and scenery. I think summer is Niseko’s best kept secret and something we can really work to promote and grow the tourism in a way that supports residents beyond the winter, providing year round opportunities for business, tourists and the local Japanese and expat community.

Name: Eddie Guillemette 

Company: MnK Niseko

Work Experience: 

Investment banker for 20 years in the US, Australia, HK, and UK.  Investor/developer in Niseko since 2005, operator of MnK Niseko property management and hospitality for 8 years.

Please share one of your goals if you were one of the new NPB directors:

Improve communication between the stakeholders  in the community - local residents (Japanese and foreigner), local government, tourists and property owners.

Please share your vision for Niseko:

To create a sustainable, year round, world class resort community that attracts a global audience and provides opportunities for local residents to have a meaningful careers.

Name:  Kristian Lund 

Company : Niseko Media KK

Work Experience: 

• 3 years as a newspaper journalist with News Ltd

• 2.5 years as a Senior Media Officer with State Government (Australia)

• 2.5 years Marketing and Communications Consultant with Queensland Government

• 11 years Publisher/Editor of Powderlife (Niseko's first English magazine and English news website)

• More details: https://au.linkedin.com/in/kristian-lund-6bab3515

Please share one of your goals if you were one of the new NPB directors:

As a journalist, marketing and PR professional, with 12 years experience publishing English content to promote Niseko to an international audience, my main goal would be to lend my experience to the NPB in order to maximise the effectiveness of our international marketing efforts. I believe we need to work on strong marketing messages and plans in order to ensure we maximise the benefits of tourism for the people of Kutchan and Niseko.

Please share your vision for Niseko:

I want to see Niseko continue to develop and receive interest from more countries around the world, and continue towards becoming one of the world's great ski resorts. I want to see development guided as much as possible by the people and institutions of Kutchan and Niseko to ensure it is done ethically and sustainably.

Name: Gregory Hough

Company: Explore Niseko

Work Experience: 

With over 20 years (9 in Niseko) of experience in hospitality, travel and tourism, at a range of levels, my background includes experience in sales and marketing at every stage of distribution channels i.e. retail, tour operator,  accommodation/hotel and online.

Please share one of your goals if you were one of the new NPB directors:

Assist in Developing a focused marketing strategy

Please share your vision for Niseko:

To become one of the most recognized four-season, mountain resorts in the world.

Name: John Barton

Company: Vacation Niseko

Work Experience: 

Worked and lived in Niseko for 10 years in roles mainly related to project management, real estate and property management. Have run Vacation Niseko for 4 years. Have owned Niseko Taproom for 2 years.

Please share one of your goals if you were one of the new NPB directors:

To make the summer viable and attractive for all.

Please share your vision for Niseko:

To make a sustainable, functioning resort that can offer genuine year-round employment and careers for our workers.

by Alister