CEO's Message

I’ve lost count of the celebrities and famous people I’ve met over the years. Unlike some of my friends, I don’t typically get star struck but many times these encounters make for a great story.

On one occasion, my boss and I received a special invitation to a private reception at the American compound in Beijing just prior to the start of the 2008 summer Olympics. It was there that we met and spoke with the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush who was welcoming, friendly and engaging. As we were leaving, President Bush said, “Please say hello to my buddy Jimmy for me.”

We knew straight away he was talking about Jim Pattison who everyone simply refers to as Jimmy. Among other things, we British Columbians know him as a successful businessperson, employer of thousands, philanthropist, and the man who essentially turned a fledgling Expo 86 into a huge success. But he also has famous friends like the Bush family.

I don’t know Jimmy personally but have met him a number of times and always admired him for who he is as a person, not for what he has…with one exception. I’m a tad envious of his spectacular yacht that’s become a fixture in both Vancouver’s Coal Harbour and various ports along the BC coast.

So when Jimmy generously offered the Coalition of BC Businesses an opportunity to hold a meeting on Nova Spirit last week, I gladly accepted the invitation to join my professional colleagues for a gourmet lunch and cruise in the waters of Indian Arm. I must confess, I was star struck by Jimmy’s boat knowing too that luminaries and VIPs from all over the world have enjoyed this same experience.

My drooling quickly came to an end once the coalition launched into an important discussion on the impacts of government policies on various business sectors. Topping the list of concerns was the cumulative effect of new taxes that many executives cited as a major barrier to growth, investment and profitability. Other coalition members referenced the absence of meaningful consultation on various files, or the lack of progress on eliminating archaic regulations.

Frankly, we could have used more time in Nova Spirit’s spacious saloon to tackle all subject matters. However, we agreed to meet again to formulate and coordinate strategies on better engaging with decision makers to ensure that business’s voice is heard in balance with other constituents that often dominate local, provincial and federal government priorities.

In the meantime, thank you Jimmy for your generosity, and to the captain and crew for your hospitality. I am grateful to have become a member of a somewhat exclusive club…’guest on the Nova Spirit’.

By the way, did I ever mention that I once met the man that currently occupies the Oval Office at the Conde Nast Traveler Awards ceremony in New York? Back then he was merely a wealthy real estate tycoon who then became famous for uttering the words, “You’re fired!” During our brief conversation, I couldn’t stop staring at his hair as I tried to figure out how he perfected the comb-over.

But I digress.

Walt Judas

CEO, TIABC

TIABC 2019 Federal Election Toolkit

Canadians go to the polls on October 21st to elect Members of Parliament (MPs) to represent cities, communities and regions in the House of Commons.

It is vital that industry stakeholders connect with local candidates from all parties to inform them about any issues and barriers to growth facing British Columbia’s visitor economy. Let them know that #BCTourismMatters.

Check out TIABC’s Guide to the 2019 Federal Election for suggestions on ways for you to be directly engaged in the lead-up to the federal election to ensure tourism’s voice is loud and clear in the debates, discussions and within party platforms.

www.tiabc.ca/2019-federal-election-toolkit

Destination BC Seeks Tourism Marketing Committee (TMC) Members

Beginning January 1, 2020, the TMC requires one representative from each of the following tourism regions for a total of five:

Ideal applicants should have with experience with tourism marketing on a global, national, and/or provincial scale, demonstrating a thorough understanding of tourism issues, sectors, and opportunities

Application should also have at least one of the following as an area of specific expertise:

What does the Tourism Marketing Committee do?

The Tourism Marketing Committee (TMC) provides strategic advice to Destination BC’s Board and CEO related to:

Each application must include the completed   Application Form , including a resumé and any other supporting documents the candidate feels are relevant to this process.

Applications must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday October 23rd. Please submit your Application Form to:   [email protected] .  

Learn more about the Tourism Marketing Committee at:

www.destinationbc.ca/who-we-are/tourism-marketing-committee

go2HR in Transition

As of October 1st, go2HR is no longer administering the Serving It Right and Special Event Server programs. After a 30-year public/private partnership, the Province of British Columbia has decided to proceed with a new model and new service provider. 

go2HR will continue its leadership of key programs on behalf of our industry including SuperHost and FOODSAFE. They will also remain the industry Health & Safety Association and Certifying Partner in partnership with WorkSafeBC. 

As many of you know, surplus generated from the Serving It Right program was used to fund the execution of the BC Tourism HR Strategy. Without these financial resources, go2HR now has to carefully review their ability to deliver these services which includes activities such as labour market research and planning, human resources advice and resources, go2HR Job Board, tourism career awareness activities, and student programs such as Winning Pitch and Student Industry Rendezvous. 

Download the full go2HR industry update here

Capilano University

Celebrates World Tourism Day

The Pacific Asia Travel Association's (PATA) Vancouver Capilano University Student Chapter celebrated World Tourism Day on September 26th by co-hosting a panel of tourism professionals on campus.  

The event kicked off with an inspiring video from this year’s host country, India, followed by an informative introduction from Stephanie Wells, chair of the School of Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Management. Just a week prior, PATA Capilano University Student Chapter Chairperson, Stefanie Carlson, received the PATA Student Chapter Award of Excellence 2019 in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan on behalf of the Student Chapter. This award was shared with the rest of the student body before the World Tourism Day panel event began.

The panel of guest speakers consisted of Sandeep Talwar, president and CEO of TravDek; Dana Lee, executive director of the British Columbia Hospitality Foundation; Dennis Green, director of go2HR; and Trina Notman, VP of Sales and Marketing of Accent Inns and Hotel Zed. This year’s event was the biggest ever hosted at the school with more than 220 students in attendance from Capilano University, Vancouver Premier College of Hotel Management, Eton College Canada.

This event was hosted in collaboration with Capilano University School of Tourism Management and the Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Student Association.

Learn more about the PATA Capilano University Student Chapter on Instagram, Facebook, or at www.patacapu.com

Summer 2019 Seasonal Staffing Survey

In 2017, KRT in partnership with go2HR conducted a Seasonal Staffing Survey to gain insight into the labour market needs and composition of the tourism and hospitality workforce within the region during the peak of the summer season. With over 100 respondents, this survey provided valuable information on trends, challenges and opportunities and has directly contributed in shaping the initiatives led by both organizations to support workforce attraction and development and advocacy initiatives. Download the 2017 report here .

I n order to stay abreast of the current situation and establish comparable measurements from year to year, KRT and go2HR are launching the Summer 2019 Seasonal Staffing Survey.If you're a stakeholder in the Kootenay Rockies region, please take a few moments to report on your organization staffing situation during this past summer.

Take the survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/M7TP72F

Destination Canada

Mobility Forum 2019

November 15-17 - Paris

November 19 - Brussels

A preparatory meeting for all Canadian participants will be held at the Embassy of Canada in Paris on Thursday, November 14th.

Destination Canada Mobility Forum  will be open to participation by Canadian Institutional representatives (provinces, territories, regions, municipalities, economic development agencies, francophone organizations, etc.) as well as Canadian employers with positions to fill in provinces and territories other than Quebec.

Participation is FREE. Space will be provided as well as tables, chairs, internet connection, display material transport from Paris to Brussels. An accommodation package is available from a travel agency.

Learn more at:

www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/hire-foreign-worker/french-speaking-bilingual-workers-outside-quebec/destination-canada.html?utm_campaign=not-applicable&utm_medium=vanity-url&utm_source=canada-ca_destination-canada-forum

TIAC Announces

2019 Canadian Tourism Awards Finalists

The Canadian Tourism Awards are the standard of excellence for the nation's travel and tourism industry, showcasing our country's best tourism products, services and experiences. They honour the people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

TIABC would like to congratulate the five organizations representing BC at this year's awards:

Winners will be announced at the Canadian Tourism Awards on November 20th at the Westin Ottawa.

Learn more at:

tiac-aitc.ca/2019_Finalists.html

2019 Indigenous Tourism Awards

Nominations Now Open

Nominations are now open for Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s (ITAC) annual Indigenous Tourism Awards to be presented during the 8th annual International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) November 14th, hosted on the traditional and unceded territory of the Syilx Nation (Kelowna).

Nominations may be made via the  IITC conference website , and will close at 5:00 p.m. PST on October 21st. Nominees must be majority Indigenous-owned/controlled and provide tourism experiences or tourism-related services.

Learn more at:

indigenoustourism.ca/corporate/indigenous-tourism-association-of-canadas-indigenous-tourism-awards-2019

International Visitor Arrives to BC up 4.1% (year over year)

International visitor arrivals to BC increased 4.1% in July 2019 compared to July 2018 amid another strong year of growth from our international markets. Year-to-date arrivals to the province are up 2.8%.

www.destinationbc.ca/research-insights/type/industry-performance

Tourism Kelowna Welcomes Colin McGuinness

Colin McGuinness will be joining the Tourism Kelowna team later this month, overseeing their business development for sports and events. Colin joins the team after spending the past five years at the University of Alberta where he most recently worked with the Executive Education Department. He also obtained his Master of Arts, with a specialization in Sport Tourism, from the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport & Recreation. Having studied the economic impact of sport tourism, including funding himself to attend the national sport tourism conference for the last two years, Colin is perfectly poised to continue Kelowna's momentum in generating economic activity in the off-season through major events.  Colin starts his role with Tourism Kelowna on October 21st and will be working with Skate Canada during the 2019 Skate Canada International competition taking place October 25 - 27 at Prospera Place.

www.tourismkelowna.com/industry/industry-news-centre/post/tourism-kelowna-welcomes-colin-mcguinness-to-the-team

Tourism Kelowna Website Hits Milestone

For the first time ever, Tourism Kelowna's website has received over 1 million visits (sessions) over the course of 12 months, an increase of 28% year-over-year (YOY). Not only did the website break the record for the number of visits, but it also received the most pageviews ever with over 2.3 million, an increase of 27% YOY. 

www.tourismkelowna.com/industry/industry-news-centre/post/tourism-kelowna-website-hits-milestone-with-most-visitors-ever

BC's First Surf Park Proposed for Britannia Beach

A new development proposal for south of Squamish was revealed at a September 21st open house. The 269,000 square-foot surf park could be open year-round and host 100 people each hour. Wavegarden, the company behind the surf park, is opening several international locations this year.

www.squamishchief.com/real-estate/b-c-s-first-surf-park-proposed-for-south-britannia

Strathcona Parks Lodge Marks 60th Anniversary

Strathcona Park Lodge and Outdoor Education Centre celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Part of the celebration is the re-launch of the story of the lodge's history written by Myrna Boulding. A formal event will take place at the Museum at Campbell River on Octpber 19th.

www.bclocalnews.com/entertainment/strathcona-park-lodge-marks-60th-anniversary-with-book-re-launch

President's Group Aims to Make Changes

The Presidents Group, a network of change-driven BC business leaders who are champions for more accessible, inclusive workplaces, is announcing a new initiative to improve the representation of people with disabilities in the workplace. All 25 companies, which collectively employ over 50,000 British Columbians, will begin publicly reporting the number of employees and senior leaders with disabilities within their organizations. The first public report will be posted June 2020.

www.destinationbc.ca/news/presidents-group-aims-to-spark-change-among-bcs-business-community

Destination BC-sponsored Film Wins Award

The  Great Bear Rainfores t IMAX® film, sponsored by Destination BC, took home the esteemed award for Best Cinematography from the Giant Screen Cinema Association (GSCA) 2019 Achievement Awards in Victoria. Destination BC is proud to have partnered with McGillivray Freeman Films on the Great Bear Rainforest film to bring the stunning wildlife and environment in this magical corner of BC to viewers across the world.

www.destinationbc.ca/news/destination-bc-sponsored-great-bear-rainforest-imax-film-wins-awards

Helicat Canada Seeks

Executive Administrator

This position provides senior-level executive administrative services to support the Executive Director and Board of HeliCat Canada Association. The incumbent serves as a strong liaison with HeliCat Canada members and stakeholders. Additionally, this position coordinates the administration of the association, including communications, meetings, events, projects and the new HeliCat Canada Wildlife & Environmental Research Fund. This is a salaried, full-time, 35-hour-per-week position with medical and dental benefits. The incumbent will work remotely from a home office; a telephone and internet

allowance is provided. Some travel is required.

Learn more at:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ilhy-UUyKPyzeNJ7HCSCBtFrzdx9VpTBV3h9DpNRuLk/edit

BC Liquor Conference



ABLE BC's fourth annual conference is Monday, October 21st at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver. Register  here .

New this year:  on Sunday, October 20th, ABLE BC is hosting three 3-hour workshops for liquor retailer and publican owners, managers and staff.

The workshops will be held in various locations in downtown Vancouver. Purchase a workshop ticket as part of your conference pass ($250) or purchase a workshop-only ticket ($75) and send your staff. Registration options  here .

Learn more at: bcliquorconference.com