Bernard Brown

The Victoria Tall Ship Festival, June 23 through 26, 2005, was among the most significant events held in the long history of Victoria’s harbour. It’s success was, in large part, due to the efforts of its Executive Director, Bernard Brown.

His distinguished career in advertising, combined with his deep love of all things associated with the Royal Canadian Navy helped ensure the festivals success. With vision and direction from the Victoria Tall Ships Society board, Brown put his community-mindedness and formidable networking abilities to work. He led the festival team in recruiting a myriad of large and small sponsors from both the private sector, and all levels of government. Brown nurtured Victorias growing enthusiasm for the event and over 900 volunteers joined in the effort, making the Society’s vision a realty and the three-day event a resounding success.

Brown was born in Duncan, BC, and joined sea cadets at 12. A marketing diploma from BCIT launched him on a distinguished advertising career. Outside of advertising, Brown served 17 years as a naval reserve officer, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander before moving to Victoria with his wife Bev in 1989 to manage the Tourism Victoria account for McKim Advertising. He subsequently worked for Copeland Communications, Palmer Jarvis, and the Malahat Group, but always on the Tourism Victoria account… it is not surprising to all who knew him the word loyalty often comes up when Browns name is mentioned.