Kelly Bedford

Kelly Bedford is a truly remarkable individual whose diverse career and personal adventures have shaped him into a leader in adventure tourism, emergency response, and Indigenous economic development.

With an extensive background in tourism management, extreme outdoor activities, and community collaboration, Kelly has made significant contributions to the industries and communities he has worked with.

For over a decade, Kelly was the Manager of WestCoast Wild Zipline, where he played a critical role in developing and implementing rigorous safety training and operational management systems that have become respected industry wide. His leadership in adventure tourism extends beyond zipline operations—he has designed, built, and installed adventure infrastructure, including ziplines and bungee systems. His expertise in risk assessment, logistics, and operations planning has been instrumental in ensuring safety and efficiency in various projects.

Beyond adventure tourism, Kelly has led an exciting life, traveling across continents to ski, rock climb, mountain climb, dive, and engage in extreme hiking and camping. An avid rockhound, he also enjoys cutting and polishing stones into unique pieces of jewelry. His adventurous spirit is matched by his commitment to the communities he lives in.

Kelly's career includes serving as a wildland firefighter with Alberta Rapattack. In 2009, while traveling in Australia during the record-breaking bushfire season, Kelly was evacuated and then took on the role of Operations Manager for the relief effort in the Murrindindi Shire, a community devastated by fires that claimed 173 lives. In recognition of his leadership and service, he was awarded Australia’s National Emergency Medal by the Governor General of Australia - an honor that speaks to his dedication and capability in crisis situations.

Kelly has also worked extensively with Indigenous communities. At WestCoast Wild, he embraced the collaboration with the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation, operating within their traditional territory. Currently, he serves as the Economic Development Coordinator for the Gitanyow Nation, developing a bold strategy to expand tourism and other economic initiatives that support sustainable development and keep people connected to their land. His work focuses on long-term tourism planning, capacity building, and creating employment opportunities in Indigenous territories.

Kelly Bedford’s career is a testament to his adaptability, leadership, and passion for adventure, safety, and community development. His ability to bridge adventure tourism with economic and Indigenous development makes him a unique and invaluable asset to every project he undertakes. It is an honor to work alongside someone of his caliber, and those who know him can attest to his unwavering dedication and expertise.

I’m proud to call Kelly my friend!