Born and raised in Toronto, Kimberly Hartley studied in France for one year, prior to attending York University at the Faculty of Education. Teaching was a love and a passion, but there were no available positions in Ontario upon graduation. Having been involved in the travel industry as a part time certified travel consultant since 1974, the travel bug became contagious. Kimberly moved on to experience hotel sales, until an opportunity became available in destination marketing. In 1985, Kimberly joined the Florida Division of Tourism, as their Canadian Marketing and Promotions Manager. This position enabled Kimberly to travel coast to coast, and work with travel agents, tour operators, airlines, motor coach wholesalers, meeting and incentive planners, media and consumers across North America.

Following a sudden state budget cut, the Florida Division of Tourism office in Toronto released all staff in 1989, however, Kimberly was very fortunate to have the opportunity to join the sales team of Anheuser Busch Theme Parks under contract as Canadian Sales Manager, under the new ownership of her company, KGM Marketing Ltd.

In 1995, Kimberly turned her attention back to destination marketing and became the Director of Canada for the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, under contract. In 2009, when the Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater CVB experienced a decline in funding due to the recession, the Canadian office was closed. Kimberly renamed her company, and launched Travel Solutions by Design, with a new contract, representing the Myrtle Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Having worked with the Canadian travel industry over the last thirty plus years, Kimberly has continued to develop very strong relationships within the industry, specifically with the retail trade, tour operators, wholesalers, meeting and incentive planners, trade and consumer media and the airlines.

Today, Kimberly is very active in many travel organizations: Board Member with Skal International Toronto; Active Member with the Discover America Canada chapter; Active Member with Meeting Professionals International (MPI); Active member with the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE); and Board member with the Travel Media Association of Canada (TMAC). Her passion for the travel industry is evident in her dedication, support and active involvement with her peers, her travel partners and her clients, as the President of Travel Solutions by Design Corporation.

Kimberly is working and living in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.