Tourism Industry Association of BC
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March 18, 2016
CEO's Message 
Recently, Chair Jim Humphrey, Policy Committee Chair Paul Nursey and I met with Minister Shirley Bond and her staff to discuss a number of topics including some of our active policy files (e.g. sharing economy, formula funding, BC Ferries, labour shortages), as well as issues on our radar including emergency preparedness, climate change, among others. It was an excellent session that resulted in a commitment to work together and meet more frequently to resolve some of the challenges within British Columbia's visitor economy.

I was also part of a historic meeting with Minister Bond and Transportation Minister Todd Stone who welcomed several First Nations leaders, as well as industry representatives to Victoria to discuss a tourism, economic development, and transportation vision for the Central Coast. The report was enthusiastically received by the ministers with a commitment by government to work with the committee on the recommendations that will allow First Nations and operators throughout the region to further market or develop tourism products and experiences to realize the region's full potential.

On another note, I'm excited that our friends in the Thompson Okanagan and at Sun Peaks in particular are looking forward to hosting industry at TIABC's annual AGM and Summit. With a combination of workshops, industry roundtables, guest speakers and post-event activities, it promises to be an outstanding event. Although we are still putting the final touches to the program and confirming speakers, registration and other details will be posted shortly on our new website, which we expect to unveil next week. Stay tuned.

Walt Judas, CEO
TIABC News
TIABC Call for Board Nominations
The Tourism Industry Association of BC is inviting members to nominate candidates for Board of Director positions for the term beginning in May 2016. It is important to note that only active members can nominate and/or vote. Also, to ensure we are represented by all regions, we would especially welcome nominations from the Kootenay Rockies and Northern BC regions.

All nominations from members must be received 45 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Therefore, any nominations for director positions must be received on or before April 8, 2016.

To download the nomination form, click here or visit the TIABC website at: www.tiabc.ca/2016-call-for-board-nominations
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TIABC 2016 AGM & Summit 

Sun Peaks is pulling out all the stops as the host venue for TIABC's AGM & Summit, May 24-26. With a combination of workshops, sector roundtables, a co-hosted Town Hall (with TIAC), guest speakers, politicians, special events and post-conference activities, you won't want to miss the only provincial gathering of operators, sectors and DMOs this year.
 
A sincere thanks to our first three event sponsors! Early-bird registration and further details will be available shortly.


Gold Sponsors





Bronze Sponsor
 

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TIABC Members

Since our last newsletter, TIABC has welcomed the following members:

Tourism Whistler
Industry News
Canada West Ski Areas Association (CWSAA) Announces New President & CEO 

Christopher Nicolson is the new CWSAA President & CEO. CWSAA is a not-for-profit trade association that represents the ski areas of Western Canada. Nicolson's primary role will be to represent the ski industry in the areas of government advocacy, safety and risk management, media relations, marketing and industry conferences. 

Christopher begins his role on April 4, 2016. Congratulations!
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New Online Hosting Toolkit

The Province of British Columbia launched its new online hosting toolkit, providing communities and organizations with additional information on how to host events of all sizes. This toolkit is another component of the five-year hosting strategy that was announced by the Province last year to promote B.C. as a world-class hosting destination.
 
The resource will include important tools to assist sport, art and cultural event organizers through the various stages of event management.
 
Some of the resources found in the toolkit include:
 
1.                  Self-Assessment Checklist 
2.                  Sport Event Bid Package Preparation Tools 
3.                  Sponsorship Tools 
4.                  Volunteer Management Tools 
5.                  Inventory of Facilities 
6.                  Marketing, Media and Communication Tools 
 
Future additions to the hosting toolkit will also include an Economic Impact Assessment Tool that is currently under development. Once completed, it will provide organizers with the ability to predict and evaluate the economic impact of events, both before and after.
 
Community Sport Hosting Network:
 
The Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development will also reinvigorate the Community Sport Hosting Network. This network will help organizations:
 
o   Work together to continue building an event hosting culture across the Province and promote British Columbia as the event hosting destination of choice
o   Strengthen the working relationship between the Government of British Columbia and communities and organizations interested in event hosting
o   Develop collaborative relationships across the Province to share best practices and facilitate knowledge transfer as appropriate
o   Build capacity within communities for hosting successful events.
 
Organizations interested in becoming part of the Community Sport Hosting Network can send an email with details of their contact information to: eventsupport@gov.bc.ca
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Royal BC Museum March Events 

March events at the Royal BC Museum will have you searching your family history and learning to take photos like a pro.

Are you interested in using the BC Archives to research genealogy, heritage or other fields of historical research? On March 20, from 2 - 3:30 pm, senior staff members from the Royal BC Museum and Archives will help get you started with The Mighty AtoM in Action! A Demonstration of the BC Archives Access to Memory Database.

Inspired by Wildlife Photographer of the Year, on now at the Royal BC Museum, the Photography Workshop for Adults, offered both March 19 and 20, will provide participants with the opportunity to hone their shutter skills with 2015 Rising Star Portfolio winner Connor Stefanison. 

For more information on these and other events, along with tickets, visit royalbcmuseum.bc.ca
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Water Sustainability Act

On February 29, 2016, the provincial government brought the Water Sustainability Act (WSA) into force along with the first phase of regulations. The Water Sustainability Act updates and replaces the old Water Act and delivers on an important government commitment to ensure our water stays healthy and secure. 
 
The WSA and new regulations will help protect water flows for ecosystems and fish and include new and improved requirements for groundwater use and licensing, well construction and maintenance, dam safety, and compliance.  Much of this work was informed by public comment and responses to the Province's  policy intentions papers that were released last summer.

More information about the Water Sustainability Act and the new regulations can be found here on the Province's water website. For specific direction and guidance on how to apply for a groundwater licence, please visit FrontCounter BC.
Research 
  
Victoria Cruise Industry Impacts
The latest Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) newsletter outlined some statistics about the Victoria cruise industry. Overall, the economic impact of cruise for the Greater Victoria region is estimated at over $100 million. The past year saw an unprecedented number of cruise ship calls that carried 533,000 passengers and 200,000 crew to Ogden Point. Results from a survey taken in 2015 show the likelihood that cruise passengers will return to Victoria within the next 3 to 5 years is extremely high. With increased ferry services and planned expansion at the airport, Victoria is planning for the anticipated growth in demand to the region - roughly $80 million in hotel renovations are currently underway for completion by Spring 2017.

Bridge River Valley Learns 
the Value of Tourism

The Bridge River Valley Community Association recently applied 
Destination BC's Value of Tourism Model to develop a conservative and credible estimate of visitor volume and direct tourism expenditures within their community. For Bridge River Valley it will provide a reliable baseline that the community can use to measure progress as it implements its tourism plan, which was developed through Destination BC's Community Tourism Foundations program. Bridge River Valley learned that over 25,000 people visited the area in 2013, the study year-significant for a community with a population of about 150. Annual direct visitor expenditures were estimated to be $2,400,000! Read The Bridge River Valley Value of Tourism Report 
Calendar of Events
March 22, 2016

April 11, 2016

April 24-27, 2016

May 3-5, 2016

May 9-10, 2016

TIABC AGM & Summit - Sun Peaks, BC
May 24-26, 2016

May 24-29, 2016

May 29-June 4, 2016

June 1-6, 2016

September 26-30, 2016

October 4-6, 2016


Visit TIABC's Event Calendar for more events. Tell us about your event and we will add it to the list.