C-19 BULLETIN - April 9, 2021
|
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
CEO Message
Several years ago, following a day of meetings in New Orleans, my friend Greg Klassen and I ventured down to Bourbon Street to check out the clubs for live music and a couple of wobbly pops. As we wandered through this historic district, we noted that every bar was packed except for one where the band played to an audience of about a dozen men.
We decided to show our support and sat down at one of many empty tables. As we listened to the first set, we were pleasantly surprised that even without the crowds, the atmosphere, patrons dancing, or clapping at the end of every song, the band gave it their all and was as good as any of the other musical acts we listened to over the course of the evening.
That memorable experience came to mind after I presented in-person to a live audience of less than 10 at New Westminster’s Anvil Centre (AC) during Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) yesterday. Like other presentations I’ve given over the years, I stood at a podium and cycled through a series of Power Point slides talking about TIABC’s advocacy work and the state of British Columbia’s visitor economy, particularly now in the context of the pandemic.
As I was speaking, I concentrated on the others in the room to ensure my information and messages were being delivered, especially considering that I was being filmed for broadcast to an online audience of over 100 from around the province and across Canada.
I’m told the presentation was well received based on the Zoom chat comments. However, without the opportunity to see the online audience during my remarks, read their facial expressions, respond to live audience questions, or even hear any clapping for a salient point or observation I may have made, it’s hard to know for sure. Yet, in spite of the muted response, I was absolutely thrilled to physically be in a room with a handful of masked colleagues talking about the importance of our industry. It was so much better than staring at a small computer screen all day every day.
Like you, I’ve attended or presented at dozens of online conferences in recent months…all generally good and worthwhile. At the same time, there is really no substitute for the real thing (i.e. getting together in-person). I guarantee that every virtual audience member tuning in yesterday would have preferred to be at Anvil Centre conversing with their industry colleagues.
While GMID was meant to celebrate the meetings sector, yesterday’s event was somewhat low-key for obvious reasons. Clearly, it’s hard to acknowledge the vibrancy, creativity, contribution and other attributes of the sector when virtually all meeting and event professionals and venues have been idle for the last 12 months.
At the same time, there is some reason for optimism, especially after the successful execution of yesterday’s hybrid event. The recent submission to the Province to restart the meetings and events sector provides a detailed roadmap on ways government can help the industry as part of reigniting BC’s visitor economy. Although government has not yet responded formally to the proposal, there are opportunities in the days ahead to engage cabinet ministers and bureaucrats in meaningful dialogue about gradually easing gathering restrictions and allowing professionally managed and executed meetings to take place under the guise of extensive health and safety protocols and procedures, including vaccinated delegates. It won’t be quick, it won’t be easy, and it won’t be without more tough slogging. But ultimately it will be worth it.
Given the impact on hotels, transportation providers, food service suppliers, destination management companies and countless others tethered to this sector, we need in-person meetings and events to resume soon to save jobs and businesses, fill venues, generate economic impact, bolster tourism, and once again contribute to the quality of life for residents and communities throughout the province. TIABC and many of our partners are doing everything possible to ensure that happens.
In the meantime, many thanks and kudos to Vali Marling and her team at the Anvil Centre for an exceptional job staging and hosting yesterday’s Global Meetings Industry Day event. Like the band in New Orleans, everyone involved gave it their all even though it felt like only a few were listening.
Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Relief Funding Coming
for Hard-hit Businesses
Yesterday, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation, Hon. Ravi Kahlon, announced that the BC government will provide more than $50 million to support the 14,000+ businesses, including restaurants, bars and pubs across the province affected by last week's public health order that essentially shut down most food and beverage establishments, among other impacts.
This new Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant provides eligible businesses with up to $10,000 in one-time funding to help with expenses like rent, insurance, employee wages, maintenance and utilities. The grant can also help cover unexpected costs that resulted from the restrictions, such as the purchase of perishable goods.
The Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant is open to eligible businesses of any size that have been in operation since February 1st. Applications are expected to open the week of April 12th and will close on June 4th, or until the funds are dispersed. Please note, the individual amount a business receives will be based on the number of employees.
TIABC and our industry partners have been assured that this will be a streamlined application process. Please keep us posted on your experiences (www.tiabc.ca/tell-us-your-story).
It is important to note that the $50 million for the Circuit Breaker Business Relief Grant has been set aside from the $345-million Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program. If you have not done so already, it is critical that you apply for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant even if you are not sure that you qualify. Our industry's access to future funding and relief relies on your participation. Note: ABLE BC is hosting a workshop on how to apply for the Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant program (see Webinars & Events listing at the bottom of this Bulletin).
TIABC extends its sincere thanks to Premier Horgan, Minister Kahlon, and Minister Mark, for responding quickly to the needs of the tourism and hospitality sector in view of the latest order. While this funding provides some relief in the short-term, TIABC continues to work with government and its partners to find additional relief for BC's hardest hit sector.
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Delegating Specific Powers of the
Starting Monday, when the public health investigation determines that transmission has occurred at the workplace, an order may be issued closing the workplace for 10 days or longer to stop the transmission. In the case of complex workplaces (e.g., large construction sites), the closure may be restricted to those parts of the workplace where transmission has occurred.
When a closure is ordered, WorkSafeBC will serve the closure notice and will then support the workplace to review and enhance safety plans, as needed. A list of workplaces that have been closed and the date of their reopening will be posted on the health authority websites. In all cases additional outbreak control measures, including contact tracing and immunization will continue under public health direction.
Work with employers and WorkSafeBC has been ongoing and will continue through the weekend in preparation of the coming into force of this order on Monday.
WorkSafeBC is providing this support to help the province manage the recent increase in COVID-19 cases. When serving the closure order, the WorkSafeBC prevention officer will engage the employer on a discussion regarding their COVID-19 safety plan and provide the employer with the Reviewing and Updating Your COVID-19 Safety Plan resource guide. The prevention officer will advise the employer that they should review and make improvements to their COVID-19 safety plan. Once the workplace has re-opened, the prevention officer will conduct an inspection to review the employer’s updated COVID-19 safety plan to ensure the employer is effectively implementing measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace.
The increase in COVID-19 cases is an important reminder that all of us – employers, workers, industry, and stakeholders – have a shared responsibility to remain vigilant in supporting workplace health and safety during the pandemic. For more information on the most recent PHO order and how to keep workplaces healthy and safe, please refer to the following:
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
COVID-19 Survey
One year ago, the BC Government asked people to share their perspectives and experiences in a province-wide Your Story, Our Future survey, and a record number of people took part.
The Province is once again asking us all to share our feedback on the effects of COVID-19, and what tools and supports you need as we look ahead to our pandemic recovery.
|
|
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
COVID Business 'Pulse Check' Survey
With new COVID restrictions, the BC Chamber of Commerce is launching a COVID-19 Pulse Check Survey to see how your business is impacted and what supports you need in this critical time.
Your feedback to this survey is essential to inform our understanding of the most pressing impacts you are experiencing and what can be done to support your business.
Responses are confidential and personal information will not be shared.
The survey will take ~6 minutes to complete and will close on April 20th at 5PM.
|
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
Deadline Approaching - Tell Us Your Story
A growing coalition of tourism and hospitality businesses and sectors from around the province is adding its voice to a BC version of the “Hardest Hit” campaign to compel federal and provincial governments to work with our sector on a restart plan that includes the lifting of travel restrictions for immunized people and for those that have tested negative for the COVID-19 virus.
As part of our advocacy efforts, we’re aiming to collect information in the form of stories from businesses like yours to inform government on the extent of the impact that travel restrictions have had on the visitor economy since the start of the pandemic.
We encourage you to write your story using the format (template) below to a maximum of two pages. Be as candid as you feel comfortable. By telling your story, you give us permission to share the information with government. We may also call on you to tell your story through social and/or traditional media channels, as well as via industry communiques.
Please send your (maximum 2-page) summary to info@tiabc.ca by April 10, 2021.
Background: Business name; location/s in BC; date established; ownership structure; # of full and/or part-time employees.
Primary Customers: Where your customers are from; demographics; who your booking partners are; what primary marketing channels you use.
Revenue Base: State pre and post-COVID revenues (actual or range & % drop); how much longer you can afford to remain in operation; support programs you’ve applied for and either received or been rejected (state reasons for rejection).
Tourism Supply Chain: List other tourism businesses or other sectors that you work with and how your business supports these enterprises.
Government Decisions: State how federal and/or provincial government orders, directives and measures have affected your business; provide recommendations on what government can do differently or better to lessen the impact on your business.
Community Contribution: Illustrate why your business is a key part of your community and how travel restrictions have impacted you, your employees, your business in general, as well as the community you call home.
Personal Implications: Illustrate the ways the pandemic has affected you personally, professionally, mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually.
Learn more and read the submissions we have received so far at:
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
On March 25th, the City of Abbotsford announced a Request for Proposals for alternate uses of the Fraser Valley Trade and Exhibition Centre (Tradex) facility. This announcement surprised many and is causing concern as the facility could end up being used for a purpose other than as an event venue.
Abbotsford’s tourism and hospitality businesses have been severely impacted the past 12 months, due to covid-19, and the shuttering of the events industry. This is particularly true for hotels, restaurants, and retail businesses. Losing Tradex as an event venue could handcuff many of these businesses further and devastate the long-term recovery of the local tourism and hospitality sector.
The Board of the Tourism Abbotsford Society strongly believe that Tradex should remain a large-scale event venue as events will be critical to rebuilding Abbotsford’s visitor economy post-pandemic. The Tourism Board and staff are confident the community and local hospitality industry will stand behind this need, communicating loudly to the City of Abbotsford that Tradex is a valuable revenue-generating asset.
Download the Tourism Abbotsford position statement here
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Every sip counts! Join Wines of BC in celebrating 30 great days of BC wine. Savour bright, handcrafted BC wines with extraordinary flavours.
There's lots happening throughout the month to help celebrate! Discover new outside winery experiences, enter to win a trip for two to BC Wine Country, explore best-of BC wine lists, enjoy discounts at Wines of British Columbia Save-On-Foods’ wine departments, learn more with our Behind the Wine influencer series and so much more.
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Moments of Levity
As an industry that continues to face enormous challenges during COVID-19, every once in a while it's important to share a laugh, a good story, a beautiful image, or an interesting anecdote to provide moments of levity during this most difficult time. Feel free to share your photos, etc. with TIABC to be published in our C-19 Bulletin each week.
|
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
_________________________________________________________________ |
|
How to Apply for BC's Small & Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant
A large number of businesses who were either unaware of the grant or are encountering problems with and have questions about the application process.
ABLE BC, BCRFA, BC Craft Brewers Guild, BC Craft Distillers Guild, Restaurants Canada, and Wine Growers British Columbia are hosting a Recovery Grant info session for the hospitality industry on Tuesday, April 13 at 10:00 am PT.
Register for the free 1-hour session below. A Zoom link will be sent to attendees prior to the session.
We will be joined by Elizabeth Vickery (Executive Director, Small and Medium Sized Business Recovery Grant Program) who will go over the application process and answer your questions about the grant.
If you have any other questions or concerns about the session, please contact Danielle Leroux (ABLE BC's Director of Membership and Communications): danielle@ablebc.ca
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
What do leaders need to be better at in this climate of change and uncertainty? What do we have control over during uncertainty? Rapid, disruptive change is today’s normal. To cope, leaders need to be agile, resilient and compassionate – some qualities that demonstrate Emotional Intelligence.
Join Angela Pomeroy, Engagement and Leadership Development Consultant, for a FREE 90-minute interactive Workshop on Wednesday, April 14th, to learn more about how to:
- Adapt positively to pressure, setbacks, challenges and change to achieve and sustain higher levels of personal effectiveness
- Apply tips and techniques to build personal and team resilience in key areas of development
- Reflect, reframe and redirect your efforts to feel a greater sense of control and security in times of change and challenge
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Notice of Boating BC
Special General Meeting
April 16th 10am (PDT)
Boating BC is updating its Constitution and Bylaws to reflect more contemporary language, best practices and to reflect who Boating BC is today as an association.
This link to the proposed changes for your review and approval at the upcoming meeting is included. This is a free, members-only event. Please login, select the ticket quantity, then click 'register' for the event here.
_________________________________________________________________
|
|
Tips for Safely Restarting your Tourism Facility
after Hibernation
April 20th 2021 at 9:00am to 10:30am PDT
The Vancouver Tourism Facility Managers Association is pleased to invite you to its first event of 2021 with Jim Mandeville, Senior Project Manager Large Loss North America for First On Site and Jason McGonigle Principal Environmental Health & Safety Group at Golder.
“Our modern structures — especially large ones — are designed to be lived in. And when they’re not being lived in … or are not being used, or used to their full potential, they can get a little bit achy and they could start to have some problems.”
In tourism and hospitality parts of, or entire buildings may have been shut down or put in hibernation.
As we start to look forward to a gradual relaxation of COVID restrictions it is important to consider taking some preventative steps to avoid problems when recommissioning your building.
Jim will present on steps you can take to avoid, leaks, clogged drains and catch basins, building structural issues and stagnant water might require special legionella management.
We will follow up the presentation with a Q&A session with our members offering you the opportunity to do a deeper dive on specific areas of interest.
Registration link:
______________________________
|
|
Feel free to send us your ideas on what information would be valuable for TIABC to share through our COVID-19 Bulletin going forward. Drop us a line at info@tiabc.ca. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
