Makenna Maiers

For as long as she can remember, travel has been Makenna’s way of understanding the world — a way to connect with the culture, people, and stories that shape each destination. She believes that local food is one of the clearest expressions of place, revealing history, identity, and community in a single bite. It’s this belief that led her to pursue a career where storytelling could help champion sustainable tourism — and joining the Culinary Tourism Alliance is the first time she truly feels like she’s landed exactly where she’s always wanted to be.

With an Honours BA in Business Communication and a minor in Tourism Studies from Brock University, Makenna spent the early part of her career working in municipal marketing and communications, including supporting the launch of the Niagara Benchlands tourism brand for the Town of Lincoln. She later joined the City of Barrie, helping shape digital strategies for a range of City services and initiatives. Alongside this work, she freelanced for TRAppe, a travel start-up promoting curated sustainable travel experiences — a role that reaffirmed her passion for responsible tourism and creative digital storytelling.

Now at the CTA, she’s able to bring all these experiences together. As Marketing and Membership Manager, she supports storytelling that empowers travellers across Canada to connect more deeply with destinations while uplifting the local producers, makers, and communities at their heart. For her, this work represents not just a role, but the moment where passion and purpose finally come together.

Outside of CTA, Makenna loves to hike, travel and explore new places, often finding inspiration in local food, culture, and landscapes. She also dabbles in elopement photography!