The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC)

04/12/2024

CEO Walt Judas with Air North’s Ben Ryan and TIAC CEO Beth Potter at a joint TIAC-Destination Canada Board of Directors dinner on the eve of the TIAC Congress in Vancouver. This year’s conference will welcome some 500 delegates from across Canada for 3 days of workshops and plenary sessions. The Congress is being held at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre which will also host the BC Tourism Industry Conference in March.

👉 Learn more about the TIAC Congress 2024: https://bit.ly/41dcdaX
👉 Discover the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference: https://bit.ly/2HAiPWT

02/12/2024

🐦 EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION!

Registration is open for the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference. The conference will take place at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, March 5- 7, 2025.

Early bird rates are available with member and non-member pricing options. Full conference registrations include complete access to all conference sessions, workshops, silent auction, welcome reception, and the awards gala. Register at our early bird rate by January 15, 2025 to save on your registration!

The theme for the 2025 conference is ‘Tourism for All - Embracing the Journey’

REGISTER TODAY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT HERE: https://bit.ly/3Rqx5pS

Program details will be available in the coming weeks on the conference website.

30/11/2024

TIABC CEO Walt Judas connected with Richmond-Steveston MLA Kelly Greene, as well as Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Tourism Richmond CEO Nancy Small and Destination BC CEO Richard Porges at the Richmond Epic Tourism Awards this week. The awards honour companies and individuals who embody Tourism Richmond's values of excellence, passion, integrity and collaboration.

Greene is also the new Minister of Emergency Management & Climate Readiness, which serves as part of the Tourism Emergency Management Committee that TIABC co-chairs along with the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture & Sport.

On the heels of the Richmond Epic Tourism Awards, nominations are now open for the BC Tourism Industry Awards which take place as part of the BC Tourism Industry Conference March 5-7, 2025 in Vancouver.

Learn more & submit your nominations here: https://bit.ly/3Zs16tr

28/11/2024

🏆 Award Nominations are Now Open for the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference!

Presented by TIABC and sponsoring partners, the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Awards shine a light on the remarkable achievements that fuel British Columbia’s vibrant tourism industry. These prestigious awards highlight the bold leadership, creativity, and innovation shaping the province’s tourism scene. With a focus on excellence, the awards set the bar for industry standards, showcasing the province’s best products, services, experiences, and people.

✨ Awards will be presented in 10 categories, including:
- Indigenous Operator or Experience
- Sustainability Excellence
- Tourism Woman of the Year
- Inclusive and Accessible Tourism Experience
- And more!

Finalists will be announced in early February, and the official recipients will be awarded at the Awards Gala evening during the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference on Thursday, March 6, 2025, held at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre.

📅 Deadline:January 8, 2025

🔗 Learn more & submit your nominations here: https://bit.ly/3Zs16tr

27/11/2024

Industry Leaders Respond to IRCC Policy Changes Impacting International Students and Newcomers

TIABC was one of the industry partners supporting the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in a letter to Hon. Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, addressing recent IRCC policy changes related to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program and Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan.

Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) announced a detailed list of 966 Canadian academic programmes that would provide post-graduation work permit (PGWP)- eligibility to international students. Notably, this announcement excluded all international students studying at community colleges and those enrolled in public colleges and polytechnics in programs related to hospitality, tourism and culinary education.

The letter states how this change has significant implications for the tourism and hospitality industries and stressed it is critical that tourism programs at public colleges and polytechnics be included in the list of eligible PGWP programs to mitigate these challenges and ensure a robust tourism workforce in the years to come.

The letter concludes by requesting government prioritize new strategic investments in the tourism workforce as part of the 2024 Fall Economic Statement and the 2025 Federal Budget and a request to meet to discuss these priorities.

Read the full letter to Minister Miller here:

22/11/2024

OC and TIABC Sign Strategic Partnership 🤝

Okanagan College (OC) is building on its relationships with industry partners in the food, beverage and tourism sectors to enhance its programming, signing strategic partnership agreements with TIABC, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), and Tourism HR Canada (THRC).

The agreements will align the tourism and hospitality curriculum at OC with industry standards and create opportunities for OC food, beverage and tourism students to connect with industry for Work Integrated Learning opportunities and eventual careers. OC will match its programming to meet Tourism HR Canada’s smart accreditation program while members of the organizations will provide guidance to OC through its program advisory committee.

🗨️ “The Tourism Industry Association of BC is proud of its partnership with Okanagan College, which is doing exceptional work to educate and prepare students for careers in BC’s tourism and hospitality sector...” – Walt Judas, CEO, TIABC.

📸 Pictured: Joe Baker (L), Dean of OC School of Business, and Walt Judas, CEO, TIABC.

➡️ Read the full announcement:https://files.constantcontact.com/23050cbb001/d059b6bc-b3cb-4a23-925d-dda11394848d.pdf

21/11/2024

📢 Register Today! TIABC Annual General Meeting

🗓 Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024
🖥 Location: Virtual
⏰ Time: 9:00 am - 10:30 am (PST)

Join us for TIABC’s AGM to:
✔️ Review the 2023 financial statements
✔️ Approve the minutes from the November 2023 AGM
✔️ Elect six (6) new Directors

Voting Details:
Each TIABC member organization in good standing may designate one voting representative for the AGM.

Learn more and register today here: https://conta.cc/3O0ermj

19/11/2024

TIABC congratulates members of the new cabinet, introduced by Premier David Eby earlier today. We also wish to extend a special welcome the new Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, Spencer Chandra Herbert as well as the other Ministers that touch the tourism portfolio including Ministries of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Forests, Environment and Parks, Emergency Management & Climate Readiness, Transportation and Transit, Advanced Education, Housing and Municipal Affairs, and Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation.

For a full review of the Premier’s new cabinet, visit here: https://bit.ly/3ZdUUoE

14/11/2024

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION LAUNCHES TODAY!

We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference. The conference will take place at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre, March 5- 7, 2025.

Early bird rates are available with member and non-member pricing options. Full conference registrations include complete access to all conference sessions, workshops, silent auction, welcome reception, and the awards gala. Register at our early bird rate by January 15, 2025 to save on your registration!

The theme for the 2025 conference is ‘Tourism for All - Embracing the Journey’

REGISTER TODAY TO SECURE YOUR SPOT HERE: https://bit.ly/3Rqx5pS

Program details will be available in the coming weeks on the conference website.

12/11/2024

TIABC's Board of Directors and staff join our fellow citizens in extending our heartfelt condolences to the family of former BC Premier John Horgan, whose leadership and contributions resonated deeply within our communities and the tourism sector. On the occasion of his passing, we honour Premier Horgan's legacy that helped shape the very fabric of our province, along with his remarkable achievements that fostered growth and collaboration in BC's vibrant tourism industry. He will be deeply missed.

10/11/2024

In honour of Remembrance Day, our office will be closed Monday, November 11th. We will resume our regular business hours on Tuesday, November 12th.

TIABC's Board of Directors and staff join Canadians nationwide in remembering those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice. We also honour those who continue to serve our country and express our gratitude for their service. Lest We Forget.

Remembrance Day ceremonies are held in communities across the province. Find your local ceremony here:

Find a Remembrance Day Ceremony in your community. The Royal Canadian Legion hosts Remembrance Day ceremonies in cities and towns across Canada. Search for a ceremony near you.

07/11/2024

BC's private camping sector gathered in Manning Park this week for the BC Lodging/Campgrounds - BCLCA annual Ideas Forum. TIABC's Walt Judas (pictured with BCLCA's Joss Penny) was on hand to provide an advocacy update and hear from operators on issues affecting their businesses.

While the camping sector in BC remains strong overall, the 2024 season was considered to be uneven vis-a-vis key performance indicators such as occupancy and revenue. Some regions were on par or up compared with 2023 while others experienced a decline by as much as 10% due to the threat of wildfires, inflation and other factors.

British Columbia boasts some 615 private campgrounds, resorts and RV parks that attract guests from all over the world. The sector remains optimistic that 2025 will be a good year barring any major crisis.

05/11/2024

Indigenous Tourism BC held its AGM & Indigenous Tourism Gathering in downtown Vancouver this week. ITBC Chair Brenda Baptiste, who also serves as a TIABC director, presided over the event, attended by some 150 delegates including Walt Judas, pictured with ITBC Chief Marketing & Development Officer, Paula Amos.

ITBC's mission is to provide support to all its respected stakeholders in experience development, training, funding access, networking opportunities, marketing programs, and current industry research.

The organization gained some 227 new stakeholders over the past year and has increased its staff complement to 25 to help achieve its key objectives. ITBC also launched its new 25-year vision for Indigenous tourism in BC.

05/11/2024

TIABC CEO Walt Judas, British Columbia Hotel Association's Ingrid Jarrett, Destination British Columbia's Josie Heisig, Destination Vancouver's Michael Drake and Vancouver Deputy Mayor Mike Klassen were among the speakers honouring some 800 frontline workers at the recent Vancouver Tourism Awards Gala masterfully emceed by FASTSIGNS Paul LeBlanc at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel.

The Gala annually celebrates both monthly winners throughout the year, as well as all nominees. This year's featured speaker was BC Paralympian Josh Dueck who won a silver medal in skiing for Canada at both the 2010 and 2014 Winter Paralympics. His message of passion, perseverance and possibility earned him a standing ovation.

Huge kudos to Peggie Terry, the Board of Directors and the entire Vancouver Tourism Awards team for another outstanding gala.

📷: Rhonda Dent

02/11/2024

Ready to gain the latest insights and engage with fellow tourism professionals? 💼

Don't miss out on the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference! The program overview and exciting details are now live on our website. Mark your calendars for March 5-7, 2025, and stay tuned for updates on keynote speakers, engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

Details here 🔗 https://bit.ly/2HAiPWT.

We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver next year!

30/10/2024

TIABC’s Walt Judas, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association's Ellen Walker Matthews and Travel Penticton’s Thom Tischik connected at the opening reception of the TOTA Summit in Vernon this week. Walt was one of the Summit speakers and spoke about the new political landscape in BC following last week’s provincial election.

At the TOTA AGM on Tuesday, TIABC Director Sandra Oldfield was elected as TOTA’s new board chair.

29/10/2024

🍽️ DMO Strategies for Sustainable Food Practices in Tourism & Hospitality

Join Ben Liegey, founder and CEO of BetterTable.ca who will be delivering an engaging webinar on effective DMO strategies for implementing sustainable food practices in the hotel and restaurant industry. Learn first hand in a panel discussion how RDMO’s CDMO’s and industry leaders are developing best practices and innovative approaches while working to support their stakeholders on their regenerative journey.

📅 Date: Tuesday, November 5
🕛 Time: 12:00 pm (PT), virtual event

🗣️ Panelists:
- Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
- Nancy Small, CEO, Tourism Richmond
- Julia Canton, Sustainability Manager, Huntington Hotel & Suites

This webinar is a joint partnership between the BCDMOA and TIABC. Learn more and register here:https://bit.ly/3YFszY0

Please join in as we introduce the first in BCDMOA's new "Lunch & Learn" series of webinars that we aim to deliver on a regular basis to keep you better informed on important topics that are top of mind in our industry. Our first guest is Ben Liegey, Founder and CEO at BetterTable.ca who will be del...

25/10/2024

TIABC CEO Walt Judas presented to delegates at the Kootenay Rockies Summit in Nelson where he spoke about what the final election results will mean for the tourism sector in BC. He also moderated a panel discussion on emergency management featuring BCHA's Ingrid Jarrett, HatchComms' Kate Colley, and Kootenay Rockies Tourism's Corrine Bundschuh. The Kootenay Rockies region represents about 10% of British Columbia's annual tourism revenues.