Laurie Cooper

Laurie Cooper, formerly the Public Relations Manager at the Four Seasons Whistler Hotel and now the Communications Manager for Mission Hill Family Estate Winery in Westbank brings us these two items (Edited from her press release):

Laurie Cooper
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Laurie Cooper

Based in Vancouver, Laurie brings a diverse background and a broad range of skills to her work as a communications consultant.With over 20 years of experience, Laurie has expertise in three distinct fields: journalism, natural resource management and public relations.

Laurie began her career as a radio news reporter for CBC Yellowknife covering a wide range of issues in Canada's North.From there, Laurie was hired as the only Anglophone on a French-speaking CBC team commissioned to introduce French television programming to the people of Saskatchewan.This was followed by a stint at CKIK-FM Radio in Calgary, writing and reading the morning news and hosting a daily hour-long current affairs program, "Calgary Inside Out".

Returning to her home town of Vancouver, Laurie worked as the Arts and Entertainment Producer on the celebrated "Vancouver Show" on CKVU Television, then moved into the newsroom as an Associate Producer for the evening news.She then spent several years freelancing with CBC Television (English and French) and CKVU, before accepting a position as a Producer for the CBC Radio national network program, "Gabereau" with host Vicky Gabereau.This was followed by several years as a freelance magazine writer specializing in travel and outdoor adventure.

While working as a freelancer, Laurie pursued her interest in environmental education graduating at the head of her class after completing a Bachelor of Recreation Education at UBC.She was then offered a Graduate Fellowship to study Regional Planning at UBC and completed a Master of Science degree in Resource Management Science having undertaken research in the area of conflict and land use issues in outdoor recreation in British Columbia.

During this time, Laurie wrote, directed and produced a television documentary for the Knowledge Network, "Our Common Future in the Fraser River Basin", which explored the sustainable development of the Fraser River Basin.Following her graduate work, Laurie was hired as a consultant to the helicopter ski industry and wrote the management plan for the largest heli-ski operation in BC.She also established the Environmental Studies program at the UBC School of Continuing Education.

Throughout her career, Laurie has always been interested in the power of communications and public relations.In the mid 90s, Laurie accepted a contract position as the Director of Public Relations at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Resort.Since then, she has written extensively for both Tourism BC and Tourism Whistler and produced media materials and corporate training videos for Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.In 2004, Laurie took on the extremely challenging and rewarding job as the Director of Public Relations for Four Seasons Resort Whistler, the first new Four Seasons in Canada in 28 years.

Since leaving Four Seasons, Laurie has established a successful consulting practice with clients that include Tourism BC, Tourism Whistler and a number of companies producing luxury products

In the left photo, Laurie Cooper (lower right), the founder and administrator of The Mission's very popular Computer Skills Program, is seen here with her team.

"We look forward to demonstrating to the applicants the kind of service Four Seasons represents," said Laurie Cooper, Director of Public Relations for the Four Seasons.
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When a new Four Seasons is opened, Cooper said, officials encourage people to transfer in from other Four Seasons hotels.At same time, they also acknowledge hiring local people with experience and knowledge.

"In the months prior to opening, there's a… team that (comes together) from all over the world," she said."There's very m uch a feeling we're all in this together.

"Right from Day 1, the whole company is based on the golden rule, ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,'" she said."There's just real emphasis on that kind of caring service."

The president and founder of the Four Seasons, Isadore Sharp, has always emphasized the importance of people, Cooper said.

Recently, I had the pleasure of a guided art tour at the fabulous new Four Seasons Resort by the charming Laurie Cooper, director of public relations.