Message from President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett |
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Dear Accommodation Community and Stakeholders
News from across the world this week has been hard to consume—from concerns surrounding natural disasters and humanitarian crises on a global scale to our own workforce, wildfire, and COVID-19 issues happening locally. In addition, we saw the B.C. provincial state of emergency extend, once again, to September 1, 2021, indicating that our wildfire season will not be ending anytime soon. As our team combed through responses from our recent crises survey, it remains glaringly obvious how much these issues are impacting operators, staff, and guests on such a granular level.
In the early days of the pandemic, I can recall feeling a true sense of harmony with others unlike anything I had experienced before as we collectively faced the unknown. There was a commitment to overcome, to persevere, and to band together to ensure we support all those who so desperately needed it. A commitment to kindness, and to patience. As we are in the latter half of our summer and wildfire seasons, my hope is that we—hotel management, owners, current employees, past employees, and our guests—can all continue to be empathetic with one another, working together with kindness and rediscovering our call of duty along with that unshakeable resolve to help others, which has guided us over the past 19 months.
The generosity and selflessness shown by operators across BC in supporting BC Wildfire services and evacuees is an acute reminder of this spirit of our hospitality community. This is a community that I have never been more proud to be a part of and I thank each and every person, in every position, who has lent their hand to support those in need. I also must acknowledge and thank the team at Emergency Management BC for all their efforts, along with those on the front lines, doing their best to keep all of us safe.
I would like to remind everyone of the resources and support systems that are available during these challenging times. Work Mental Health BC has a wide-variety of tools available to help our industry and I encourage everyone to explore and share these resources with their own network.
Finally, I would also like to draw your attention to the survey seeking input from workers and employers regarding paid sick leave programs. We have been sharing this survey in our communications over recent weeks but it is important to recognize its critical nature. This is our industry's opportunity to share insight and information on current sick leave programs and what you would like to see as part of a new province-wide model which will come into effect on January 1, 2022. You can access more information on the survey below or click here to take it. There is much concern regarding additional costs for businesses, yet a resolve to ensure employees and employers stay home if they are sick. We encourage you to make your opinion known.
Best wishes,
Ingrid Jarrett
President & CEO
British Columbia Hotel Association
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Today's update includes:
- General Updates
- Have Your Say on B.C.’s Permanent Paid Sick Leave
- BC Business Leaders Submit 'Proof of Vaccination' Request to Premier Horgan
- Have Your Say and Submit the TIAC Survey
- Reminder | Federal Election Update Platforms & Information
- Critical Advocacy Support Needed Ahead of Federal Election
- Crises BC | Support and Resources for Tourism Operators
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New Messaging for Operators
- Introducing the BCHA Sustainability Coordinators | Sign Up for a FREE GoGreen Analysis Today!
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Get a FREE Digital Audit with New BCHA Member Signals!
- Request for Proposal | Conference Planner 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
- Register for the Hospitality Management Hiring Fair!
- Workforce Solutions
- Propel | Student Work Placement Program
- Integral Hospitality | Secure Outsourced Workers
- US-Canada Border Reopening | Messaging & Resources for Operators
- Central Okanagan Restrictions | Information & Resources
- Apply Today | Tourism & Hospitality Relief
- Help the Tourism & Hospitality Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500
- Support Industry | Get Vaccinated & Encourage Others to do the Same
- Applications Open | WORTH's Marion Harper Treskin Leadership Scholarship
- Mark Your Calendars
- Destination Vancouver, Good Nigh Vancouver and go2HR Safer Spaces Campaign
- Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 8-11, 2022
- You’re invited | 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa on November 30 to December 1
- ABLEBC Invites You to Lead Generation & Marketing Tips Webinar
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- BCHA's Ingrid Jarrett Among BC Leaders Featured in Business in Vancouver's BC500!
- Inn the News
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Hospitality Trends in a Post-COVID-19 World | Hospitality Net, August 17
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Where are all These Guests who Supposedly Prefer Humanless Hotel Experiences? | Hospitality Net, August 17
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Case Study: Optimize Online Content to Attract and Convert More Leisure Travelers, Leveraging a Shift in Consumer Preferences | Hospitality News Resource, August 3
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Vaccine Passports for International Travel Expected this Fall | Hotelier Magazine, August 18
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B.C. government won't issue orders to ban travel to wildfire-affected areas | CFOX, August 18
- Comment Card | Industry Thoughts & Feedback
- Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
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Have Your Say on B.C.’s
Permanent Paid Sick Leave
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The BC Government is developing paid sick leave for employees in B.C., so they are able to stay home when sick or injured, without losing wages, for a set number of days each year. The new model will come into effect on January 1, 2022. Public consultation on the development of paid sick leave is now underway.
There will be two phases of consultation:
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Phase 1 (Aug. 5 to Sept. 14) – surveys will gather information from employers and workers on the kinds of paid illness and injury leaves currently provided, and how they are meeting workers’ needs; and
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Phase 2 (Sept. 20 to Oct. 25) – informed by the surveys, options will be prepared for various paid sick leave models, including the numbers of paid days and other supports, and will be posted for public feedback and input.
This is a good opportunity for the tourism and hospitality industry to share what might support the rebuilding of the industry and how it might also help address the labour shortage impacting many businesses as well as measures that might support employee retention.
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BC Business Leaders Submit 'Proof of Vaccination' Request to Premier Horgan | Have YOUR Say |
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Industry representatives from across BC have formally submitted a request in support of a "Proof of Vaccination" program to support operators and employees through recovery.
Targeted vaccination campaigns and the roll-out of the Safe Screen BC program will play a key role in helping to keep businesses open. However, businesses and their employees need more support, especially those that would be forced to close, if there was an outbreak or public health restrictions are reinstated.
The business community is requesting that the government introduce a “Proof of Vaccination” program for situations that attract large groups with prolonged exposure where physical distancing is difficult to maintain e.g. at concerts and sporting events, to help mitigate transmission, rebuild consumer confidence and drive economic recovery.
As a precondition, the situations need to be clearly identified and mandated by government and public health officials, so that the onus of enforcing the program does not fall on businesses, to protect businesses from potential rights-based concerns or risks and to rebuild confidence of employees and the public.
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HAVE YOUR SAY ON PROOF OF VACCINATION | Take Survey |
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Do you support the notion of a proof of vaccination?
Do you think it should be required for:
- International travel ? Domestic Travel? Non-essential activities, such as restaurants, bars, events, festivals, etc?
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada wants to hear from you on this matter and invite you to participate in a two-question survey. It should take less than a minute to complete.
As this is a live poll, you will see the immediate results of current responses upon completion.
Your participation and hope to receive your response by 5 p.m. ET Monday, August 23.
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Reminder | Federal Election Update Platforms & Information |
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PARTY PLATFORMS & INFORMATION
On Sunday, August 15th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that newly-appointed Governor General Mary Simon approved his request to dissolve parliament, triggering a fall election.
The election date has been set for September 20, after months of speculation that an election call was on the horizon. The BC Hotel Association is committed to providing you with up-to-date information on each parties platform to better support you in making an informed decision when you cast your vote.
The BCHA is working with our partners at the Hotel Association of Canada to develop a complete election toolkit, detailing the commitments each party has made to our hotel, events, and tourism sector.
Please see the following resources for party platforms along with a comparative guide to each parties commitments:
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DON'T FORGET | REGISTER TO VOTE!
To vote in a federal election, you must be registered on the list of electors. You can register at the polls when you go to vote, but if you register in advance at the right address, you will receive a voter information card in the mail when a federal election is called. The voter information card tells you when, where and the ways to vote.
An up-to-date registration will also make the voting process faster.
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Critical Advocacy Support Needed Ahead of Federal Election |
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The inclusion of commitments to our sector from parties is a direct result of the advocacy work undertaken across Canada and by our highly engaged membership - we thank each of you for your tireless support!
As we continue to pressure all parties to understand the challenges facing Canada's Hardest Hit sector, it remains critical to contact your local candidates whether by phone, email, letter, or in person.
It is critical that we keep the pressure on and ensure that your local candidates know that without targeted support, you will not survive, and your employees’ jobs will be at stake. They need to know this is an important issue for their constituents so they can move swiftly with legislation in the fall.
The Liberal Party have adopted the asks put forward by the Hardest Hit Coalition in their campaign. And as we need to push for Liberal candidates to know that their recent pledge is the right move, we need candidates from other parties to adopt our ask as well.
HOW TO DO IT:
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Please see this short document outlining the ask of the Hardest Hit Coalition - this can easily be shared with candidates. You may also refer to HAC’s Grassroots Advocacy Toolkit.
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Please also submit an electronic letter to your current MP here. This takes no more than 2 minutes!
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You can find your local candidate here (this page will continue to be updated as more candidates are announced): https://www.elections.ca/Scripts/vis/FindED?L=e&QID=-1&PAGEID=20.
- Please note that the following are target swing ridings in BC – meetings in these markets will be key.
- Coquitlam-Port Coquitlam
- Vancouver Granville
- Cloverdale-Langley City
- Surrey South-White Rock
- Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge
- Steveston-Richmond East
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Please don’t forget to report your meetings so the HHC can continue to track our progress and have you featured on the leader board! You can do so here: https://www.hardesthit.ca/report-meetings.
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Crises BC | Support and Resources for Tourism Operators |
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NEW WILDFIRE MESSAGING FOR OPERATORS FROM DBC & EMBC
The Government of BC has issued a request for visitors to avoid all non-essential travel to or through impacted areas. Impacted areas are defined by Emergency Management BC as areas currently under an evacuation order or evacuation alert. Areas not under an evacuation order or alert can continue to receive visitors, provided the destination does not require travel through an impacted area to get there.
While this creates implications for communities who are not otherwise under an order/alert, it is crucial that we keep those nearby roads clear. Circumstances can change quickly, requiring immediate access for fire crews and for potential evacuees. The current wildfire situation in British Columbia is dynamic, with conditions and alerts changing rapidly. Destination BC is issuing the following guidance to help BC’s tourism industry navigate the ever-changing circumstances.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
- Share these resources with your employees and guests and stay up-to-date on the latest news and developments.
- Encourage visitors to download the BC Wildfire app, to stay informed, and to respect the advisories and orders in place.
- If your business is in an impacted area, provide your current customers and future reservations with regular updates, by directing them to official information sources. Be as flexible as possible with re-booking options, and encourage visitors to consider adjusting their travel dates for another time.
- If your business is not impacted directly, help your current guests plan the rest of their trip to destinations that are safe and open for business in areas outside those designated as on evacuation alert or evacuation order (your local Visitor Centre has a wealth of information on places to stay and things to do across BC).
- If your business is not impacted directly, be proactive with future reservations—let your customers know that it’s currently business as usual, but they should be mindful of road closures and restrictions that could impact access to the destination. Encourage them to check the key resources noted above regularly, and to reach out with any questions.
- If your business/region has other properties/ communities that are not impacted, consider encouraging guests to re-book their travel to the area not under alert or order. British Columbia is a very large province, and there are many communities and travel experiences that have capacity and are ready to welcome visitors.
On top of 19+ months of losses, businesses and people in wildfire-impacted areas need our support more than ever. Once the wildfires subside, we encourage British Columbians to travel to these regions and support local once it is safe to do so.
Get the latest on alerts, orders, and conditions on the Wildfire BC app:
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FOR OPERATORS | EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
With the priority of ensuring that travelers have all the official resources they need to make informed decisions based on the latest, on-the-ground information, DBC has created and updated their Emergency Preparedness page. Consider this a fulsome resource to keep both yourself and your visitors informed over the course of the ongoing fire season and COVID-19 pandemic.
Wildfire and COVID-19 messaging guidance can be found on the webpage, along with safe and responsible travel graphics for you to use on your channels, a visitor-facing safe travel brochure (web and print version), and the links to DBC's Know Before You Go information.
FOR VISITORS | KNOW BEFORE YOU GO.
Current travel restrictions, wildfire info, and other key visitor information on is available on Destination BC's consumer website, HelloBC.com. Click here to visit the Know Before You Go page and share the resource with anyone travelling within BC.
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Introducing the BCHA's New Sustainability Coordinators | Sign Up for a FREE GoGreen Analysis Today! |
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The BCHA is beyond excited to announce that we have added two new members to our team as we expand our commitment to greening the hotel industry!
ABOUT OUR GO GREEEN PROGRAM:
In Spring of 2020, the BCHA added Energy Analyst, Dylan Tomlin, to our roster to help hotels conduct in-depth energy analysis of their operations AT ZERO COST TO THEM. In doing this, Dylan is able to identify ways for properties to operate more sustainably while saving up to tens of thousands through cost-cutting initiatives and rebates.
Due to the overwhelming success of the program, and in recognizing the positive impact it has had on membership, the BCHA has hired two new team members to assist Dylan in this important project. Learn more about Kiera and Vanda below!
INTERESTED IN YOUR OWN FREE ENERGY ASSESSMENT? SIGN UP TODAY!
If you already expressed interest in an energy assessment in the past, Vanda and/or Kiera will be in touch with you!
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As a new member of the BC Hotel Association team, Vanda is excited to learn more about the industry and to help operators take real steps toward sustainability. Prior to her role as Program Coordinator for the BCHA, Vanda was exploring her creative side with one of the top staging companies in Vancouver and has over three years of experience in the aviation sector, where she worked as Cabin Crew for an international airline, Emirates. In her spare time Vanda likes to spend time with her 2 year old puppy, Nugget, find unique items while thrifting and creating unique builds in the Sims 4.
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With deep roots in hospitality, Kiera joins the BCHA with over five years experience in an array of industry positions. Having started in Food and Beverage, Kiera transitioned into Spas while completing her Diploma in Hospitality Management from Camosun College. After working various roles during 2 years of travelling in Australia, she returned to Canada in 2019. These experiences led to her exploring new interests and studying Electrical Trades becoming an apprentice electrician. She is excited to return to hospitality as a Program Coordinator at BCHA and use her diverse skill set and passion for Sustainability in her new role. In her spare time, Kiera loves to spend time outdoors, snowboard in the winter, and travel. |
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Get a FREE Digital Audit with New BCHA Member Signals!
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At Signals, we look at partnerships at a long-lasting relationship and invite BCHA members to move your brand forward together with us. We’re offering BCHA members a free digital audit to see how your brand is performing to your audience.
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ABOUT SIGNALS
Established in 1984, Signals is an award-winning creative studio comprised of a team that develops, designs and deploys sophisticated digital platforms and campaigns for local, national and international clients. Our practices are the function of more than three decades of collaboration with leading healthcare providers, universities, property management, hospitality cultural institutions and nonprofits.
From our beginnings, as a small graphic design studio focused on the craft of visual design, we have evolved into an interdisciplinary design and digital marketing firm that develops a range of communications and content for recruitment – both visual and narrative – that lives on print, social and digital platforms.
The digital team at Signals has capabilities and experience, delivering sustained, integrated, managed, and measurable ecosystems that are guided by our clients’ requirements. Our approach deletes anything that does not improve performance. Our obsession with technical detail and engineering rigour provides the means to operate at speed and scale, without compromise. The result is always a simpler, smarter, faster solution that outperforms expectations.
We have a depth of experience bringing reports into the digital space and into the hearts and minds of target audiences. Our interdisciplinary team creates interactive report solutions that are just as strong technically as they are creative. Blending technology with an in-depth knowledge of end-user needs and desires, we create both the platform for an intuitive, positive experience, and develop content that has a sense of the dramatic, along with the credible evidence health audiences require.
For more information please contact SEAN LAVASANI at 778 653 1555 Ext 808 or Email : Sayhello@signals.ca
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COUPON - Brand Audit worth $300
Strategic Documents (business foundations that inform brand strategy)
● Business plan
● Strategic plan
● Communications / marketing plan
● Mission/vision/values
● Audience profiles or personas
Brand Foundations
● Positioning
● Brand Values
● Unique Selling Proposition (USP), brand promise, or brand essence ● Culture
● Employee programs (training, volunteering, etc.)
● Internal communications (e-newsletter, bulletin, etc.)
● Product / Service positioning
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Brand Expression
● Corporate Identity / Brand Standards - logos and other brand elements ● Sales collateral - brochures, print materials, trade show displays, etc. ● Advertising and promotional materials
● Website
● e-newsletter(s)
● SEO / keyword list
● Social media
● Sponsorships/civic-involvement/memberships
● News/PR/earned media/press kits
● Content marketing and other assets - blogs, white papers, case studies, articles, books, etc.
● Testimonials
● Videos
Brand Experience & Touchpoints
(understanding internal and external audience touchpoints) ● Employee orientation / onboarding
● Sales processes / touchpoints
● Customer journeys / touchpoints
● Sales / management training guides
● Customer service systems
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Request for Proposal | Conference Planner 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference |
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- Are you an experienced event and/or conference planner?
- Are you passionate about the tourism and hospitality industries?
- Do you possess a strong skillset to develop, produce, and manage large-scale events?
The BC Hotel Association (BCHA) and Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) have issued a RFP to solicit proposals from qualified meeting and events planners interested in successfully organizing, coordinating, and managing the 2nd Annual BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, taking place in-person March 8-11, 2022 in Prince George.
About the Conference:
In face of the challenges presented over the course of the COVID-19, in March 2021, TIABC and the BCHA joined forces to present the first ever BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, held virtually. With the aim of providing industry with tools, knowledge, and resources for success, the conference will once again bring industry operators, partners, and stakeholders together in March 2022 for a four-day period filled with connection, growth, and inspiration.
How to Submit A Proposal:
Please refer to complete RFP package here for full submission guidance. Proposals must be received by August 30th at 5pm PST and can be submitted to the following:
BC Hotel Association/Tourism Industry Association of BC
200-948 Howe Street
Vancouver, BC
V6Z 1N9
Walt Judas Ingrid Jarrett
CEO, TIABC CEO, BCHA
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Reminder | Register for the Hospitality
Management Hiring Fair!
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In face of the greatest workforce shortage in recent history, operators are searching for ways to find highly-skilled, highly-trained individuals to join their teams.
To develop a solution to this issue, the BC Hotel Association has partnered with Bliss Hospitality and Cornerstone International Community College of Canada (CICC) to bring you the first iteration of the Hospitality Management Hiring Fair.
- The Process:
- Prior to meeting with potential employers, all candidates will be subject to a pre-screening process to ensure they are:
- Opera PMS certified
- Food Safe certified
- Able to perform tasks and duties related to the position
- Able to communicate in English fluently
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Location:
- The Fair will take place at Cornerstone College Tech Campus at 816 Granville Street
- Date:
- October 9th, 2021 | Time TBA
Are you interested in participating or learning more information? Click below to register.
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Workforce Solutions | Government Funded Placement Program & Contract Labour |
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PROPEL | Student Work Placement Program
Called Propel, this initiative provides post-secondary students with paid work-integrated learning opportunities with tourism and hospitality employers. Employers who hire students through this initiative receive a wage subsidy of 75% of the student’s wages, up to a maximum of $7,500.
This program will be a lifeline to our hardest-hit sector, providing talent and financial assistance at a time when so many employers are struggling.
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This new program benefits the full spectrum of the visitor economy as it emerges from the crushing impact of the pandemic:
- Employers acquire much-needed early talent to help with the recovery of the industry, as well as assistance with wages after an 18-month stretch of little or no income.
- Students gain paid hands-on learning and mentoring in their field of study.
- Post-secondary institutions complement their programming by connecting students and the workplace.
All qualifying parties—from small, independent operations to large, multi-property companies—are invited to apply for this timely support for our sector at PropelCareers.ca.
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Integral Hospitality | Secure Outsourced Workers
Integral Hospitality, a division of the Integral Services Group, have assisted a number of hotels throughout BC with their outsourced housekeeping needs, placing over 100 full time housekeepers across BC.
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A BCHA premier partner, Integral recognizes the urgency that many accommodators are facing. Should you be facing a staffing shortage, please contact Brett Mollard directly at brett@integralservicesgroup.com. To learn more, visit their website
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Call for Nominations | BCHA
Board of Directors
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The BCHA is offering a unique opportunity for you to voice your interest to become part of the Board of Directors.
Now is a particularly critical time for industry and appointment to the BCHA Board offers opportunity to lend your voice and leadership skills, while developing critical strategies aimed to help industry as we embark on our next chapter of recovery.
- The BCHA | Advocating for the Sector with Unwavering Resolve
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Much more than a voice for the British Columbia Hotel Sector, the BC Hotel Association is a champion, advocate, and resource for our province's entire accommodation community and supporting industries. Representing membership on a national, provincial, and community level, the BCHA actively serves the accommodation industry and its partners—acting as a bridge between the accommodation and business community—while working to ensure the betterment of our unique and interconnected network of operators.
- The BCHA Board of Directors | Agents of Change
- The BCHA Board of Directors is comprised of 19 elected members, each possessing a sincere commitment to the accommodation community. With elected members from regions across British Columbia, board members are champions of the industry who assume a critical leadership role, develop strategies, and make impactful decisions that will support the future of industry and its ongoing success.
With a sincere devotion to ensuring we meet our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we encourage all members to explore materials below—particularly those interested in pioneering the future of hospitality in BC and being an integral part of the next chapter of this more-than-a-century old organization.
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Central Okanagan COVID-19 Restrictions | Information & Resources |
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Due to the continued rise of COVID-19 cases, and the introduction of the Delta variant, measures have been introduced to the Central Okanagan region impacting the communities of Kelowna, West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Peachland, and Lake Country.
These measures include:
- Travel and Accommodation
- Vacation rentals and accommodations (houses/houseboats included) will be limited to 5 people plus occupants
- Recommendation against non-essential travel to the Okanagan
- Personal gatherings
- Outdoor personal gatherings limited to 50 people
- Indoor personal gatherings limited to groups of five people from one other households
- Organized gatherings
- Indoor/outdoor gatherings limited to 50 people with COVID safety plan in place
- Restaurants, Bars, Nightclubs, Casinos
- Nightclubs and bars will be closed
- Restaurants will be limited to groups of up to 6 people (not restricted to own household)
- Liquor service limited until 10pm
- Casinos will remain operational under current guidelines but must comply with restaurant guidance
- Exercise Facilities
- Indoor low intensity exercise will continue with capacity limits
- Indoor high intensity exercise will be suspended
- Masks
- Mask mandate will continue to be in place for all indoor public places and is enforceable by bi-law officers in the Central Okanagan
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US-Canada Border Reopening | Messaging & Resources for Operators |
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As of August 9, 2021, Canada will now allow entry to fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents (currently residing in the US) for leisure travel. If they meet the entry criteria, fully vaccinated travellers do not have to quarantine upon arrival to Canada. All travellers must use ArriveCAN (app or web portal) to submit their travel information
Destination British Columbia has put together messaging guidance for the province's tourism industry. This document includes key messaging, FAQ, and additional information.
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Additional Resources:
There are specific mandatory guidelines to follow for those travellers arriving by private plane. This includes unvaccinated children under 12 do not need to quarantine, but those aged 12-17 do. Detailed information from the Government of Canada can be found here.
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Support Industry | Get Vaccinated & Encourage Others to do the Same |
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The single most important action we can all do to protect our industry, community, and ourselves is to receive both vaccine doses and encourage others to do the same. To encourage residents of British Columbia to become fully vaccinated, the government of BC has taken the following measures:
- Community events, vax vans and mobile clinics in dozens of communities in B.C. available by walk-in or pre-scheduling. Search by community to find a drop-in event near you. Events are organized by each health authority.
- Interior Health
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People who live in Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country and on Westbank First Nations lands (Central Okanagan Local Health Area) can get their second dose 28 days after dose 1, opposed to 48 days.
- Fraser Health
- Vancouver Coastal
- Island Health
- Northern Health
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Gradual refocus of vaccine efforts from mass clinics onto programs targeting the hard to reach people where the need is greatest. A full list of Vax for BC events happening throughout the province is available online: gov.bc.ca/vaxforbc
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Apply Today | Tourism & Hospitality Relief
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Federal Programs
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Tourism Relief Fund (TRF): to help tourism businesses and organizations adapt their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth. The $500 million national initiative across Canada will be administered by Western Economic Diversification in Western Canada.
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Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS): Subsidy to cover a portion of eligible expenses until September 25, 2021. Also includes an additional Lockdown Support of 25% if your business was significantly affected by a public health order. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525
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Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP): Aimed at sectors like tourism and hospitality, hotels, arts and entertainment, and will offer 100% government-guaranteed financing and provide low-interest loans up to $1 million for up to ten years.
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Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): Covers part of your employee wages retroactively back to December 20, 2020 until September 25, 2021. The maximum subsidy is 75%. Hotline: 1-800-959-5525
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Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP): The new Canada Recovery Hiring Program (CRHP) is designed to encourage businesses to grow as the economy recovers, whether it’s due to hiring and re-hiring staff, increasing shifts, or increasing overall pay.
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Note: Your business can only claim the CEWS OR CRHP - here is a comparison between the two programs
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Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB): $400 per week for 13 two-week periods between September 27, 2020, and September 25, 2021 for self-employed workers and those in the gig economy. Applications are handled through the Canada Revenue Agency. Hotline: 1-833-966-2099
Indigenous Programs
Provincial Program
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The Workplace Accessibility Grant program. The grant program direct supports to small business employers in British Columbia by providing direct financial assistance towards creating an inclusive work environment for persons with a disability(ies).
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Your Voice is STILL Needed! Help Industry Return to a New Normal & Win $1500 |
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Participate in the survey and enter into a draw for prizes valued at $1,500.
go2HR has been hard at work undertaking a Labour Market Information research project to better understand the impact of COVID-19 on our workforce. Even before COVID-19, the industry faced some significant human resource challenges. We know those challenges will only increase as we emerge from the pandemic.
We need your help!
We need to hear from a representative sample of employers across all sectors and regions of the province. We ask for assistance in sharing the survey with a wide variety of businesses in the province, and ask you to please share this survey with your members. It takes approximately 25 minutes to complete this survey. We want to hear about the impact of COVID-19 on your member’s operations, the human resource issues they face, and what can be done to help industry in dealing with these issues going forward. Any information provided will be held confidential, used only for the purpose of this study, and reported only in summary form with the responses of other respondents. Please help us spread the word!
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Applications Open | WORTH's Marion Harper Treskin Leadership Scholarship |
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WORTH Association is proud to announce The Marion Harper Treskin Leadership Scholarship, a one-time ($2000) scholarship awarded to a Woman of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality in their final year of studies.
Marion has been in the hotel industry for over 30 years and is currently the Dual Property General Manager at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver and The DOUGLAS Hotel. As her two year term as the Chair of the Board of Directors at Destination Vancouver comes to a close, in recognition of her service, this award has been established to support a woman pursuing a leadership journey in recreation, tourism and hospitality management. Marion believes female role models are critical to the success of increasing the number of female leaders in our industry as she drew her inspiration from her mother, Patricia Harper, an owner and operator of a small summer camp.
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Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 8-11, 2022
Mark your calendars! The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference officially has a date. Taking place in Prince George, March 8-11, 2022, the conference will be an informative multi-day conference aimed at supporting growth and celebrating industry.
Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
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Destination Vancouver, Good Night Out Vancouver, and go2HR Partner of Safer Spaces campaign.
Destination Vancouver, Good Night Out Vancouver, and go2HR are partnering up to help Vancouver’s hospitality industry get a jump start on safety.
Participating establishments will receive cross-promotion throughout the summer and an invitation to a safety skill sharing and social event in the Fall.
The 6 week 'Safer Spaces' campaign encourages local establishments to sign-up for industry-specific training to help build staff and patron confidence. Learn tools and tips to help prioritize safety and navigate a variety of challenging situations.
July 15 - August 31
All training is free of charge. Learn more and sign-up here.
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ABLEBC Invites You to Lead Generation & Marketing Tips Webinar
ABLE BC and Ballistic Arts invite you to join us for a free webinar.
At last! British Columbia and the rest of Canada are opening back up. That's great news, but how are you going to best take advantage of this for your business? Will you marketing tactics that you used during the lockdown work now that the economy is reemerging? What new initiatives should you think about and what should you avoid?
Join ABLEBC on this one-hour webinar 'Lead Generation and Marketing Tips for BC's Reopening' with expert Ted Lau, CEO of award-winning Ballistic Arts, and podcast host of Marketing News Canada.
Date: Wednesday, September 1, 10:00 am PT
What you'll learn:
· The big changes in Apple, Facebook, and Google that will affect how you market
· What type of cost effective marketing content makes sense for your lead generation efforts
· Even more about the Marketing Funnel/Loop and where you need to focus in the reopening
The economy is reopening, are you ready? Register here for the free webinar.
If you are unable to attend live, a webinar recording will be sent to everyone registered.
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You’re invited to the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa on November 30 to December 1 –
in-person & online
The pandemic has changed everything. But it’s also given us the opportunity to work together, adopt new ways of doing business, and reimagine what tourism looks like post-COVID-19. Come join the Tourism Industry Association of Canada at the 2021 Tourism Congress.
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
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BCHA's Ingrid Jarrett Among BC Leaders Featured in Business in Vancouver's BC500!
We are delighted to share that BCHA's very own President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett, has been featured in Business in Vancouver [BIV]'s first ever edition of BC500, profiling business leaders who have a notable impact on the province's economy, communities, and industries.
Congratulations to the full list of honourees and thank you to each of you for your guidance and leadership. To see the complete list of recipients click here: https://bc500.biv.com/
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Remote locations and fewer interactions
Across the hotel industry, the common trend that has emerged is that clients seek to minimize their contact with other guests. From Swiss ski resorts to luxury villas in the Maldives, guests have flocked towards these locations to limit their contact with others. It is not hard to see the logic here: the less human interaction, the lower the risk of getting the virus.
Another common preference is hotels that offer open-air spaces, expanding their gardens, limiting the chances of contamination. Hotels that cannot provide this have kept the promise of social distancing by providing additional room service options.
Takeaway vs. Sustainability
The industry needs to innovate its engagement with customers. Additional room service options have become vital to attracting in-house guests. Due to restrictions, limited spaces in restaurants have meant that most hotels cannot cater to all in-house guests and need to find solutions. Room service isn’t the only solution available; takeout has become essential too. Seizing this opportunity, hotels and restaurants have expanded takeaway offerings to external guests.
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For probably a decade now, I have almost daily been reading articles and blog posts about how today’s hotel guests prefer to interact with technology rather than humans. Of course, it is not by coincidence that most of these are authored by executives who are peddling the latest “essential” guest technology. Often these articles and blogs are accompanied by survey results to supposedly support the theme. Yet when I look for details on sample size and methodology, I usually find there is no mention of these, or I find that the survey was conducted “online” with a very small, self-selected sample size.
At first, those who peddled this tech pushed what I call the Millennial Myth, which is that everyone born between a certain range of years is a homogenous group that dislikes human interaction because they grew up with computers and smartphones. Now of course it could be called the “Gen Z Myth,” since the first Millennials have reached their early 40’s as Gen Zers enter their mid-twenties.
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Plantation on Crystal River is a beautiful, 232-acre resort surrounded by Kings Bay’s natural springs. The resort is part of the Ascend Hotel Collection®, a lifestyle division of Choice Hotels®. Recognized as the hotel industry’s first soft-brand concept, each of the Ascend Collection hotels is independently owned and operated by its franchise partners, offering unique amenities and experiences with a bit of local flavor. Lifestyle hotels have a unique story to tell and if they differentiate themselves successfully, can really outperform the market.
Background
While their current branded website offered a unique look into the resort experience, it was not enough to set this property apart from the competition. Traditional marketing methods failed to effectively drive customers and consequentially, did not produce the desired results for the hotel. Plantation on Crystal River General Manager Michael Mancke recognized the need for a better digital strategy in order to improve direct sales, both bookings and group lead generation, so he turned to Vizergy® Digital Marketing for its expertise
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OTTAWA — The Federal Government of Canada is planning to create vaccine passports for international travel by early fall. The document will certify Canadians’ COVID-19 vaccine history and will be digital, with a paper option also available.
In a news conference last week, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino says the passport will include data on the type of vaccines received, the dates and the location they were administered.
“I want to take a moment to thank all Canadians who’ve rolled up their sleeves over these past months,” says Mendicino. “As more and more are getting vaccinated they’re planning for life in a post-vaccinated world, including the safe return to travel.”
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Many travelers who are cancelling their trips to the B.C. Interior are saying they're not getting refunds because the provincial government hasn't banned non-essential travel into the region. Richard Zussman reports.
B.C. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth says the province will not issue specific orders under the provincial state of emergency to ban travel to areas impacted by wildfires.
Instead the province will continue to advise people to stay out of the Interior, including Kamloops and Kelowna, he says.
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A direct and compelling headline |
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