Day One - Tuesday May 24th

All day: Arrivals, airport transfers to Sun Peaks, registration, check-in

6:30 p.m. Opening reception -  Join Senator Nancy Greene Raine and Sun Peaks Mayor Al Raine in a casual, fun and entertaining evening hosted by Tourism Sun Peaks.

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Day Two - Wednesday May 25th

8-9 a.m.      Opening Breakfast - Welcome by TOTA CEO Glenn Mandziuk

Keynote Presentations by  Marsha Walden - CEO, Destination BC and Arlene Keis - CEO, go2HR

TOURISM LABOUR SHORTAGE - BEING PART OF THE SOLUTION

 

O ver 100,00 new job openings will be created in BC's tourism industry by 2020. As the industry struggles with staffing shortages and labour issues, stakeholders look for solutions.  Marsha Walden and Arlene Keis will be discussing why the industry cannot rely on the traditional youth market for workers and highlighting alternative labour pools to help solve the labour challenges. 

9-10 a.m.    TIABC AGM 

10:30 a.m.  Town Hall -  TIABC, TIAC and Destination BC will host a discussion on national and provincial issues that affect British Columbia's visitor economy. Delegates will be encouraged to participate in the forum to help inform advocacy priorities.

 

12-1:15 p.m. Lunch and Keynote Presentation 

Keith Henry - Chair & CEO, Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada

Keith will discuss the state of Aboriginal Tourism in both British Columbia and Canada, as well as share details surrounding a recent major advocacy effort by communities, DMOs, associations and other stakeholders on an Aboriginal tourism vision and strategy for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast region.

Keith is Métis and was born in Thompson, Manitoba but raised in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. After graduating from the University of Saskatchewan in 1995, Keith began his career as a teacher. More recently, he started his own consulting company (October 2008) and is president and CEO of KCD Consulting that specializes in human resource development, economic development, project delivery, strategic planning, negotiations, and leadership development.

As former CEO of Aboriginal Tourism BC, Keith has been spearheading the growth of authentic Aboriginal tourism in British Columbia and Canada. When Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada was incorporated in April 2015, he was elected chair before taking on a additional role as the organization's first CEO in October of last year.

Keith continues to be recognized as one of Canada's Aboriginal tourism icons. He's led many new initiatives such as, the development of national standards on market readiness and authenticity, cruise industry opportunities and the national Aboriginal tourism research project on the economic value of Aboriginal cultural tourism. He was instrumental in the development of the national Aboriginal tourism strategy entitled The Path Forward 2016-2021, which focuses on increasing Aboriginal market readiness, jobs and revenues.

Keith volunteers time in the Aboriginal community and maintains several board positions including chair for the Native Education College, member of the Vancouver Board of Trade's Aboriginal Opportunities Committee, member of the World Indigenous Tourism Alliance, member of Destination Canada's International Marketing Committee, and president of the BC Métis Federation.

Hon. Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and Minister Responsible for Labour and other special guests have been invited to launch BC Camping Week in British Columbia.  We will also announce a province-wide promotion to celebrate Tourism Week in Canada (May 30 - June 6).

2:00-5:00 p.m.    Sector Roundtable

The Pressing Issues in BC's Tourism Industry

While British Columbia's tourism industry has achieved record results in recent years, there are myriad issues that impact operators and communities throughout the province. Whether it's labour shortages, land use/tenure, or the sharing economy, these issues need to be addressed to ensure the sustainability and realize the growth potential of businesses and sectors in BC's visitor economy.

TIABC's first-ever multi-sector roundtable will bring together over 10 organizations to discuss, discover and debate the issues that affect their respective members. Together we'll learn about organizational priorities, where we intersect, how we can work together, and who's taking the lead on working with government and other decision-makers to resolve the concerns.

This session will be valuable and relevant to all delegates who will be given opportunity to participate in the discussions and ask questions. Each association will deliver a 10-minute presentation on top-line priorities, action plans and progress to date.

Sectors include:

6:30 p.m.  Keynote presentation by Hon. Shirley Bond plus dinner and entertainment. Hosted by the Sun Peaks Grand Hotel & Conference Centre.

Day Three - Thursday May 26th

8-9:20 a.m.        Breakfast 

9:30-11:30a.m.  Three Concurrent Sessions

For DMOs, Economic Development Officers, Community Officials

FILM INDUCED TOURISM: BEST PRACTICES & LESSONS FOR BC

British Columbia's film industry is thriving thanks to world-class facilities, skilled crews, tax incentives, a low Canadian dollar, outstanding scenery and locations, plus dedicated film commissioners that have built excellent relationships with studios and producers all over the world.

Film induced tourism is the phenomenon of films and television programs encouraging viewers to visit the country or region where filming occurred. Film induced tourism and its related concepts, which include the broader effects of media culture, has increasingly been viewed as an important component of the tourism sector in many jurisdictions.

Yet, are we taking advantage of the marketing and tourism opportunities associated with so-called 'film tourism'? With the exception of a few communities, many experts say BC is missing the boat when it comes to targeting and attracting fans who travel great lengths to visit the locations where their favourite shows are being filmed.

In this session, panellists (a producer, a film commissioner, a DMO and a research expert) will describe the best practices used to encourage and capitalize on film induced tourism in various regions, together with suggestions for how BC can take advantage of its vibrant film and television industry to promote film induced tourism within BC communities.

This session is geared to destination marketing organizations, economic development officers and local government officials keenly interested in productions for their communities.

Panelists

Joan Miller - Moderator 

Joan grew up in Campbell River and enjoys a dual role as the Regional Film Commissioner for Central and Northern Vancouver Island, as well as overseeing the Campbell River Tourism & Region. Since 2003, Joan has arranged and moderated film tourism panels all over the world.

Joan's interest in film-induced tourism began 16 years ago when a group of Microsoft employees from Seattle visited Campbell River to scout locations for Disney's 13th Warrior. Since then, with films like the "Twilight Saga" shooting on the iconic beaches of the Pacific Rim, Superman "Man of Steel" baring it all on the rocks in Ucluelet, or the old growth forests that played the home of "Planet of The Apes", many have called to get directions to visit the locations in her region. The most current screen tourism partnership is with the History Channel's hit television series "Alone" which is now airing its second season.

Sara Shaak - Producer 

Sara has worked as a production executive, former film commissioner (Northern BC/Okanagan), and economic development officer.  She has also successfully produced and executive produced feature film projects with a variety of partners. Now based in Calgary, Alberta, she draws on her expansive web of connections to build strategic relationships with top Canadian production companies, private sector partners, governments and community organizations to deliver shared benefits from investing in media properties.

She is a partner in both Clairwood Capital, a Toronto based media investment corporation, and Trilight Entertainment - a Calgary based production company that has produced a number of feature films for the international marketplace.

Vicci Weller - Film Commissioner 

Victoria Weller began her career as an Equity Stage Manager in western Canada and later obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Theatre and Literature. Ms. Weller worked in the film industry in Los Angeles for 13 years holding a variety of positions including Craft Services, Caterer, Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, 2nd Assistant Director, 1st Assistant Director, Casting Director, Production Manager and Line Producer. As the producer for a small production company, she produced promos for prime time TV shows for networks such as ABC, NBC, Fox and USA.

Vicci also produced infomercials, music videos and commercials. As a teacher, Vicci taught music video and film production courses at U.C.L.A, and Thompson Rivers University. In 2000, she became the Film Commissioner for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District Film Commission in Kamloops, BC. As well, she completed her Master of Arts in Tourism Management at Royal Roads University.

Tracy Lakeman - DMO CEO 

Tracy Lakeman has been Tourism Richmond's CEO since 2004. In this role, Tracy is responsible for the strategic planning, financial, administrative and staff management of Tourism Richmond. Tracy is an active member throughout the tourism industry but specifically with the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, the Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia and Destination Marketing Association International.

As a board member, Tracy sits on the boards of the BC Destination Marketing Association, the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities, and the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue BC region (RCMSR). Tracy is also an active volunteer crew member with the RCMSR.

Ed Mansfield - Consultant

Ed Mansfield is a Partner in the Vancouver office of MNP. Ed has over 20 years of experience in consulting on economic and statistical issues for sectors such as tourism, major events, film and television, health care, utilities, transportation, mining, forestry, agriculture, technology, finance, and manufacturing.

Ed has led many studies involving the tourism and film and television industries. His past assignments for film and television have included studies on the New Mexico, Florida, Hawaii and Georgia industries, as well as economic impact studies for the productions of Suits, Once Upon a Time, Tomorrowland and Iron Man 3.

For Sectors

HOW DO YOUR SECTOR ISSUES AND PRIORITIES LINE UP WITH 

GOVERNMENT PRIORITIES?

Pace Group Managing Partner Norman Stowe will review the political landscape, what to expect from government in the 12 months leading up to Election 2017, and how to align industry priorities with government priorities.

Norman Stowe - Government Relations Expert

A political science graduate of the University of British Columbia and a customer service grad of Walt Disney World's management programs, Norman Stowe has 30 years' experience in marketing and communications, providing public and private sector clients with creative and strategic communications advice and direction.

Prior to creating Pace Group in 1991, Norman was a senior communications executive with the Province of British Columbia. During several years in government, Norman was responsible for the day-to-day marketing, communications and public affairs of various ministries and Crown corporations, including International Trade, Transportation and Highways, Tourism, Economic Development and the Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre. In addition, during his time in Victoria, Norman managed most of the provincial government's major public events and openings.