When my high school buddy (who married my cousin) reached out last fall to invite six other couples to vacation together in Mexico in February, I originally said no and reminded my wife that it’s the worst time of the year for me to go with so many details to attend to in the days leading up to the annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference (BCT&HC - March 1-3 - Prince George).

If looks could kill I wouldn’t be writing this message now. Seriously though, I really didn’t want to disappoint my (FOMO) wife by passing on a chance to hang out with family and friends in beautiful Los Cabos, even if the timing was lousy. So we agreed that I could still put in a couple of hours early in the morning and just before dinner while working on my tennis game and tan in between.

The fact is, for the first two months of every year my mind turns to workshop outlines and speaker confirmations, award nominations, delegate and sponsorship targets, event logistics, and other conference related concerns. Given the importance of this event to the industry, as well as to TIABC’s bottom line, I’m always a little nervous in the months leading up to BCT&HC, even though recent history suggests I shouldn’t be. Thanks to the support of our event management team (ConnectSeven Group) and the solid working relationship between TIABC and BCHA, the conference always comes together nicely, albeit with a few hiccups along the way.

Earlier this week our BCT&HC event team met to tie up some loose ends and to ensure we’re on track with our objectives. I’m pleased to say that more than 300 delegates have registered so far, while more than two dozen sponsors have stepped up to support the conference, including anchor supporters Destination BC and Indigenous Tourism BC. Tourism Prince George, Northern BC Tourism, the City of Prince George, and the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation are pulling out all the stops to make this conference both enjoyable and memorable for every attendee.

As I recently explained to a journalist from Prince George, it’s the first time the BCT&HC has been held in the North. In fact, many delegates have never been to BC’s northern capital, let alone the top half of the province. As a provincial organization, TIABC is thrilled to be able to move the conference to another region aside from the usual rotation of Metro Vancouver, Victoria, and Kelowna.

As for the BCT&HC itself…along with the excellent plenary sessions and social events, all 16 workshops will offer valuable content that virtually every delegate will appreciate, no matter which sector, type of business, or community they represent. While I’d like to mention them all, I’m thrilled by the new topics we’ve introduced this year including Power of Matriarchy – Leadership Lessons from Indigenous Women in Tourism; Psychologically Safe Workplaces; Travel Digitization; and a report on the province’s Tourism Renewal Initiative.

I’m also looking forward to the annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards gala where nine recipients (out of 117 submissions) will be honoured for their outstanding contributions to our industry. To recognize and celebrate the best of the best is always fun and motivating.

On the final day, we’ll hear from renowned tourism expert Anna Pollock, whose presentation on a regenerative travel and hospitality economy will take both a positive and a big picture view of tourism past, present and future to suggest that the hospitality & travel sector does have a unique and powerful role to play in revitalizing economies, places and people provided that it returns to its essential purpose and role. Anna is an outstanding presenter and always gets delegates thinking.

If you’re on the fence about attending, I strongly encourage you to join your industry colleagues from across the province in Prince George next month. Not only will it help ease my nervousness regarding delegate numbers, but I guarantee it will be worth your while.

In the meantime, it’s time for me to hit the tennis court or beach with my wife and our family/friends to enjoy the last few days of my vacation. After all, there is never a shortage of work…only sunny days, holidays, and time spent with people you love.

Have a wonderful Family Day weekend. See you in Prince George soon.

Walt Judas,

CEO, TIABC

Yesterday, Honourable Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport, announced the province will be providing $30M in support to BC-based events.

TIABC's Board Chair JJ Belanger was on hand for the announcement and provided remarks on behalf of the tourism sector.

Through the BC Fairs, Festivals and Events (BCFFE) fund, grants will be available to eligible events. This second and final intake of the BCFFE is intended to support the sustained recovery of the community event sub-sector which continues to face ongoing challenges related to cost increases, supply chain issues, workforce availability, and reduced ticket-sales. Grant amounts will be as much as 20% of the total event budget, to a maximum of $250,000.

Depending on the number of applications received, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport may provide grant amounts higher than 20% of the event budget. Single organizations holding multiple events will be capped at $500,000 per organization.

Eligible organizations are encouraged to submit applications as soon as possible as funds are limited and applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. The BCFFE will be administered through a time-limited application process. Applications will be accepted from February 16th until March 3rd @ 11:59pm for events occurring between April 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024.

Eligible events include sporting events, arts and culture events, community celebrations, agricultural fairs and rodeos. Examples of eligible expenses include operational costs, health-and-safety measures, venue rental, marketing, wages and promotion.

TIABC wishes to thank Minister Popham and the province for taking immediate action after learning the desperate situation of several events.

Read the official announcement HERE.

We want to extend an enormous thank you to our conference sponsors and supporters. We truly could not host this conference without your generous support and commitment. See the full list of conference sponsors to date, HERE.

In a letter to Honourable Minister Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport, Honorable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance regarding deep concerns related to certain courses of action now being contemplated by their respective departments that would severely and irreparably damage the marine ecotourism sector in the province.

The letter urges the Federal Government not to enact additional management measures that would affect the ability of professional whale watch operators to view non-Southern Resident killer whales at the current allowable distance of 200 metres.

Specifically, the coalition urged the Federal Government not to implement additional Interim Sanctuary Zones, not to extend the duration of the current Interim Sanctuary Zones, and not to increase the viewing distances for non-Southern Resident killer whales

The group also asked for a meeting with the ministers to explain its position and propose solutions prior to the February 27th meeting with the Indigenous and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group when the proposed regulatory changes for 2023 are scheduled to be announced.

Read the full letter HERE - signed by the following:

February 20th is BC Family Day, a provincial statutory holiday. To celebrate, government has provided funding for free Family Day activities.

The province has invested in Family Day by providing grants to recreation facilities, art galleries, museums and Indigenous organizations. These grants are being administered by the BC Museums Association and BC Recreation and Parks Association and help community-based organizations cover the costs of hosting free Family Day activities.

There are free Family Day activities throughout the from February 17-20, supported by $300,000 from the Province. For more information on activities:

Or learn more HERE.

On Februrary 15th, Vancouver City Council voted to end the city’s 25-cent single-use cup fee after receiving resounding feedback from local businesses, consumers and associations that the fee has been ineffective in its initial goal of reducing the number of single-use cups being used.

The bylaw required businesses to charge customers 25 cents for disposable beverage cups. The money collected was kept by the businesses because the city doesn’t have the authority to collect a tax. The city did not place any requirements on businesses on how that money should be spent.

Local businesses and associations that included Restaurants Canada applauded Council’s decision to repeal the City’s single-use cup fee, informing that the fee made getting a warm beverage less affordable and disproportionately hurt small businesses and lower-income households more than any other demographic.

The City of Vancouver will now repeal the year-old bylaw and draft a bylaw amendment by June 1st for the fee to be formally repealed.

Learn more HERE.

Air Canada reported its fourth quarter and full-year 2022 results today, with indications the airline may soon realize their pandemic financial challenges are behind them.

Air Canada still reported operating losses. For the full year, the airline experienced $187 million in losses. $28 million of those losses happened in Q4.

The revenue story is positive, surpassing not just pandemic performance, but topping that of the final quarter of 2019 before the pandemic struck.

For more information, read Air Canada’s full Q4 and Full-Year 2022 Report statement HERE.

The Camper’s Code is a collaborative campaign started in 2021 by a dozen organizations across the camping sector in British Columbia who believe deeply in the responsibility of every single person to create a safe, enjoyable, respectful camping experience for all—people, wildlife, and nature, too.

The BC Lodging & Campgrounds Association (BCLCA) is interested in gathering travellers’ feedback regarding camping and camping etiquette. Specifically, awareness, perceptions and impressions of the Camper’s Code. This short survey is for all consumers – you don’t have to be an avid camper - and only takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Please follow THIS LINK to provide your feedback!

CanExport SMES and Innovation programs reopened Feb. 15th for new projects that will begin on or after April 1, 2023.

CanExport SMEs provides up to $50,000 to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) registered in Canada for international business development activities (i.e. tourism businesses who cater to international visitors). The program helps develop export opportunities for products and services in new international markets. CanExport SMEs is open to all industry sectors.

Learn more HERE.

Don't miss out on this exclusive ticket offer for Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) members to attend Vancouver's biggest party of the year! Canada Sevens 2023 returns to BC Place March 3-5 for three full days of rugby, entertainment, and nonstop fun.

Each tournament pass equals three separate tickets to the event - one for each day of the tournament. All tickets are fully transferable. Visit our website at www.canadasevens.com for more information. For all ticketing inquiries, please contact tickets@canadasevens.com.

*Offer valid for General Admission and Reserved tickets only

The Nisg̱aʼa Museum (or Hli G̱oothl Wilp-Adoḵshl Nisg̱aʼa) is a museum of the Nisg̱aʼa people that is located in Lax̱g̱altsʼap, a village in northwestern BC's Nass Valley.

The Nisg̱aʼa name means "the heart of Nisg̱aʼa House crests," a name that celebrates the role of tribal crests in Nisg̱aʼa society. The museum is a project of the Nisg̱aʼa Lisims Government and is a treasury of Nisga'a culture. The museum opened in the spring of 2011. It is a place for display of Nisg̱aʼa artifacts, sharing traditions and ideas, and a centre for research and learning.

The museum's collection of Nisg̱aʼa culture is "one of the preeminent collections of Northwest Coast aboriginal art". The museum's website states: "This is our gift to each other, our fellow Canadians and the world."

Click HERE to learn more about the Nisga'a Museum.

We strongly encourage you to consider membership or renew your membership with TIABC to support our important advocacy efforts on behalf of the entire visitor economy.

TIABC continues to identify your concerns, raise your voice, champion your needs, and push for support and programs while encouraging policy changes at both the provincial and federal level.

Your support and engagement is vital to ensuring businesses, DMO's and sectors are united and speaking with one voice on issues that impact BC's tourism industry.

Tourism Prince Rupert recently announced the installation of new wayfinding signage throughout the city, as well as the official new community welcome signs. Designed to enhance both the resident and visitor experience, the new signs highlight Prince Rupert's vibrant arts & culture scene by showcasing the work of local artists, as well as the language of the Ts'msyen People - Sm'algyax.

The Community Signage Improvement Project is in its final stages with the installation of two new welcome signs at each main entrance to the community and new wayfinding and informational signage throughout the downtown and main tourism areas.

The new welcome signs aim to signal to visitors that Prince Rupert is a vibrant, welcoming community, that key economic investments are taking place, and that the city is entering a new decade of transformational change.

Learn more HERE.

Big White Ski Resort is excited to announce that due to generous contributions, a complimentary on-mountain shuttle will be operating effective today through to the end of the season, (excluding Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays except for peak season and spring break).

Big White's Sr. Vice President and TIABC Director Michael J. Ballingall extended special thanks to Sharen Gibbs, elected official for Area E/West Boundary Director, for contributing $20,000 towards the service.

Big White has operated an on-mountain shuttle service in the past but the service stopped during the pandemic. This move should help with on-mountain transportation services for this season and Ballingall has already begun the process of planning for the future.

Learn more HERE.

Reporting directly to the Chief Marketing and Development Officer, the Stakeholder Manager provides support for Indigenous Tourism BC’s (ITBC) stakeholders, specifically ITBC’s visitor-ready, market-ready and export-ready stakeholders. This role works alongside all ITBC’s divisions, including Corporate Services, Experience Development, Capacity Building & Resilience (CB&R) and Marketing, and ensures that all stakeholder information is current and communicated.

The Stakeholder Manager is responsible for providing administrative oversight for all divisions related to ITBC’s Stakeholders with reporting, information sharing, and supporting ITBC’s regional Indigenous specialists. This role will oversee the coordination of Stakeholder meetings, regional outreach, and industry events as required.

Learn more and apply HERE.

There are currently more job offers than there are available candidates in the province, especially in this industry. People have lots of options to choose from, and if businesses want to hire successfully and stay competitive, they need to sharpen their recruitment strategy.

The SDECB is currently working on a project exclusively directed towards tourism & hospitality businesses in BC so that they can hire quickly and more efficiently talented employees.

In the next few weeks, three free sessions will be delivered across the province to help these businesses with their recruitment. These seminars are best suited for business owners, team managers and HR teams.

Here are links to the different seminars, for people to register:

With transformation and change upon us, it’s time for us to collectively recalibrate our goals and consider how we can continue to work better, together. The new DBC Corporate Strategy is their new path for success. The intention is to focus on the following levers, to improve BC’s competitiveness and improve the quality of life for people living in British Columbia through tourism over the long term.

Join Destination BC to hear much more about their corporate strategy for 2023 to 2026.

Date: Thursday, February 23

Time: 10:00 am (PST)

Location: via ZOOM

In 2022, Destination BC conducted engagement sessions across the province for industry to provide input into the development of our 2023-2026 corporate strategy. Learn more about the engagement process and the resulting themes that are reflected in the Public Engagement What We Heard.

Children, youth, seniors and students will be admitted free of charge to both the museum and IMAX® on Family Day, Monday, February 20th.

Journey around the globe in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, before exploring the wonders of BC in the Natural History Gallery. Round it off with a trip to see one of a special series of family favourites showing on the giant screen at IMAX®. Get your tickets early to save your spot!

There’ll also be a feast of fantastic live musical performances throughout the day, and a series of behind the scenes features screened live in Clifford Carl Hall on the ground floor of the museum.

Visit HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is hosting the 2023 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Summit.

Date: February 21st and 22nd at Thompson Rivers University Campus (Kamloops), on the unceded territory of the Secwépemc Nation.

The Biospherology Master Class reflects the focus on continuous education for tourism professionals that will ultimately elevate visitor experiences, strengthen businesses, regenerate communities, and reduce impacts within the surrounding environments.

This Biospherology Master Class is open to all tourism stakeholders. TIABC CEO Walt Judas will be attending and presenting on BC's Tourism Emergency Management Framework.

Click HERE for more information and to register.

After a three-year hiatus the Vancouver Community College (VCC) Foundation’s food and wine tasting Green Tie gala is back, to support student scholarships and bursaries.

Flourish, a gala event, will treat guests to a memorable evening showcasing the work of VCC’s highest-achieving students, faculty members and alumni. In addition to tasting creations by Vancouver’s leading culinary minds, and wines from the Naramata Bench, guests will experience the best of VCC's artistic jewelry, manicures, digital design, auto restoration, live music and more.

Date: February 28

Time: 7-10pm

Location: VCC, Building B - Broadway Campus

Visit HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

WomenHack is a community that empowers women in tech through events, jobs, and reviews. We aim to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace for all. Our diversity recruiting events target some of the most talented women in tech which include software developers, designers, and product talent.

Date: February 28

Time: 6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Visit HERE for more information and to purchase tickets.

The conference is guaranteed to provide a mix of discovery, education, industry insights, and networking opportunities - it is designed to offer the tools needed to forge a brighter path forward for the sector.

Visit our website to book your accommodation at one of our conference hotels and learn more about your travel options to Prince George. Plus, enjoy an Air Canada discount code. Note: Room block held until January 29th.

If you have any questions about conference registration, please contact us at registration@bctourismandhospitalityconference.com. General conference questions can be directed to info@bctourismandhospitalityconference.com.

Dates: March 1-3

Location. Prince George Conference and Civic Centre, Prince George

Learn more and register HERE.

The I Love Mission team is asking you to “save the date” to join them in celebrating all things Mission. The event is to give the community the opportunity to come together to celebrate after two years of working through the pandemic, and to thank first responders for their dedication during this time.

A street map will be available in March with the description of each creation and a QR code linking to the Tourism Mission website offering more in-depth information and historic content for each light.

Save the Date: March 3rd

More information will be available HERE.

You are invited to join WORTH Association and women of recreation, tourism, and hospitality in Vancouver for an evening of networking with an inspiring panel discussion.

WORTH's Empower Her event aims to connect a community of leaders to expand their network and create meaningful relationships. Vancouver’s top female tourism and hospitality leaders will share inspiring ideas with the intention of sparking dialogue about issues that impact women in the workplace. Their perspectives will inform, inspire, and empower women to collectively identify ways to accelerate women to senior roles in the industry.

Date: March 6

Time: 5:30 - 10:00 PM

Location: Vancouver Marriott, Pinnacle Hotel

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

Wine Growers British Columbia, in partnership with the BC Wine Grape Council, BC Grapegrowers’ Association and the BC Wine Authority, are thrilled to host the annual Insight Conference for the BC wine industry. This years’ conference will be hosted in person at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, on the unceded territory of the Okanagan (Syilx) People.

The annual BC Wine Industry Insight Conference is a forum where industry can gather and learn about important topics and issues that affect their businesses and the industry. Early Bird pricing until February 11th!

Date: March 7

Location: Penticton Lakeside Resort & Conference Centre

Learn more and register HERE.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is excited to announce registration is now open for the International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC).

This conference is designed to unite the global Indigenous tourism industry bringing together tourism operators, international delegates, members of parliament and tourism partners. IITC features collective sharing of best practices and networking as Canadian and global delegates participate in panel discussions, breakout sessions, keynote presentations and local cultural experiences.

Dates: March 8-10

Location. Treaty 1 Territory and the Homeland of the Metis - Winnipeg

Learn more and register HERE.

Looking to Hire? You might be interested in participating in the Spring Recruitment Speed Jobbing event. This event connects BC employers with bilingual candidates from across the country. If you're interested in participating, you can register today and reserve your virtual booth!

Date: Wednesday, March 22

Time: 10:00 am - 1:00 pm (PT)

Location: Online

Learn more and register HERE.

Are you looking for a candidate in Healthcare, Hospitality, or Business field? Join Western Community College for a Mega Job Fair with 100+ other employers!

Date: March 23

Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: Newton Recreation Centre, 13730 - 72nd Avenue, Surrey

Visit HERE for more information and to access entry passes.

Take advantage of the early bird rate and SAVE BIG! Early bird pricing ends March 17th and includes complete access to the industry welcome reception at BNA Brewing Co., all conference sessions, the Summit Marketplace, and the BC Hotel Association Award Gala and Reception.

Dates: May 1-2

Location: Delta by Marriott Hotels, Grand Okanagan Resort, Kelowna

Learn more and register HERE.

A world-class conference that connects international buyers with Canadian sellers of tourism products, this year’s Quebec City event will bring together approximately 1,700 tourism business leaders for more than 30,000 one-on-one appointments, experienced-based luncheons, exclusive breakfasts, and engaging networking opportunities. Get your brand in front of an audience with influence at RVC2023!

Dates: May 30 - June 2

Location: Quebec City

Learn more and register HERE.

This year’s AGM and Conference theme will be Focusing Forward… Together.

Over the course of two days, public sector, private sector and Indigenous leaders will inspire us, challenge us to think outside-the-box and take steps to work together and chart a path to a future where businesses prosper, British Columbians thrive and communities flourish.

Date: May 31- June 2

Location: Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, Whistler Way, Whistler

Registration will open March, 2023. Learn more HERE.

We are pleased to announce the dates for the next annual BCAC Conference. It will take place in Prince George, ("Base camp to the North" and home to YXS) at the "Courtyard by Marriott" hotel.

More information including conference theme, agenda, list of speakers, as well as hotel and travel partner recommendations to follow soon. Questions or Sponsorships? Ask Dave!

Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca.

TIABC recognizes that our members, stakeholders and staff occupy the ceded, unceded and traditional territories of Indigenous Nations across British Columbia. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to live, work and play on the lands that our Indigenous friends and First Nations ancestors honour and care for.