YOUR DOWNTOWN KAMLOOPS TEAM
About Us
Whether you are looking for fantastic shopping, a great place to eat, fun activities to partake in or places to stroll, Downtown Kamloops has something for everyone. We are proud of our community and invite you to experience the vibrant arts and cultural scene, exciting and diverse business district, beautiful tree-lined streets and restored heritage buildings.
WHAT’S THE BIA ALL ABOUT? The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association provides value to our members through advocacy, beautification, promotion, development and preservation of Downtown Kamloops. We are committed to maintaining a vibrant and livable Downtown that is the focal point of Kamloops. The amount of work that goes into maintaining a livable and workable Downtown core is immense and we couldn’t do it without the cooperation and help of all the businesses who call Downtown Kamloops home! Our area encompasses the west side of Tenth Avenue, the north side of Columbia St., the east side of First Avenue and the Thompson River.
OUR MISSION
The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association provides value to our members through advocacy, beautification, promotion, development and preservation of Downtown Kamloops.
OUR VISION
A vibrant and livable Downtown that is the focal point of Kamloops.
OUR CORE VALUES
Collaborative
Creative
Genuine
Dedicated
Sustainable
OUR TEAM
Carl DeSantis
Executive Director
Carl DeSantis brings many years of influential leadership experience to the KCBIA team. He is politically astute, business savvy, and delivers both passion and energy to our Downtown. As the Executive Director, Carl is the official ambassador and spokesperson for Downtown Kamloops
Samantha Desouza
Marketing & Events Coordinator
Samantha Desouza is a Marketing graduate from Thompson Rivers University. She loves the Kamloops outdoors and spends all her free time either hiking or enjoying the local food scene.
Christine Beaton
Administration and Member Service
Christine graduated from TRU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and is applying her fine arts education to the Administrator & Membership Services position at KCBIA. Her artistic and mechanical interests keep her busy taking apart (mostly) non-working items and saving the interesting bits for future projects. It’s a big box.
David Stewart
CAP Team
David Stewart joined the CAP Team in hopes of learning more about #downtownkamloops! David plans on going back to Thompson Rivers University in the fall of 2019 to become an Educational Assistant. David enjoys playing basketball, hiking, and hanging out with his friends in his spare time!
Emilee Bennette
CAP TEAM
Nothing can slow Emilee down being a mom with many commitments. She loves to spend her time outdoors, at community events and camping. If it’s outside, Emilee will be there!
Oliver O'Dell
CAP Team
Oliver is another TRU graduate as he recently finished the history program here in Kamloops. Oliver likes to read and write and plans on traveling overseas to teach English.
Francesca F
CAP Team
Born and raised in our lovely Kamloops, Francesca graduated from the Thompson Rivers University Sports Event Management program in 2019. She is an active member of the Kamloops Rugby Club and loves all things sports, music, arts, and everything Kamloops has to offer. Above all else, nothing beats a cold drink on the patio with her friends and a crib board!
Jon George
CAP Team
Jon George has been a part of our CAP Team since September 2016. He enjoys working for the team because it allows him to help people from all walks of life. Jon is a graduate of the Police and Justice Studies Program at Thompson Rivers University and in his spare time he enjoys being active and going to the gym.