KOOTENAY ROCKIES AGM & TOURISM INDUSTRY CONFERENCE
The 2015 KOOTENAY ROCKIES AGM & TOURISM INDUSTRY CONFERENCE will take place at the Regent Hotel in the beautiful mountain town of Revelstoke on October 6 & 7, 2015.
This event would not be possible without the support of our valued sponsors and the generous donations to our Silent Auction. An investment in our event Sponsorship program provides an outstanding opportunity to support this premier regional tourism event and to position your organization as a regional leader. This is the opportunity to reach almost 100 regional tourism partners including a wide range of business owners, senior management and key decision makers from the Kootenay Rockies region and beyond.
Thank you to confirmed sponsors COLUMBIA BASIN TRUST, go2HR and INVEST KOOTENAY!
Sponsorship opportunities are limited, please click for 2015 SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
We are also currently accepting Silent Auction items. The Silent Auction is a great way to promote your product and experiences to tourism professionals from the Kootenay Rockies region. Please contact Corinne Crowder Reception@KootenayRockies.com to donate to the Silent Auction.
The Tourism Industry Conference AGENDA is now available. Registration is not yet open but we will send notice as soon as it is available. ACCOMMODATION information for the conference is available now.
CANADA MEDIA MARKETPLACE
Kootenay Rockies Tourism’s Regional Media Relations Representative attends CANADA MEDIA MARKETPLACE annually. Through a series of pre-scheduled appointments with key U.S. journalists and press, we present story ideas, new product information as well as build awareness of our region to the U.S. media. This show is organized by the CANADIAN TOURISM COMMISSION (CTC) and rotates between the east and west coasts of the U.S. The 2015 Marketplace was held in New York City. Heidi Korven attended the show with the Destination BC media team and the regional representatives of Thompson Okanagan, Vancouver Coast & Mountains, Vancouver Island, Cariboo Chilcotin and Northern BC.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD MEDIA STORY IDEA?
While crucial components to an effective story idea include an interesting hook, a new development or product, a quirky individual or place, and so on, there are other important elements to consider when developing key messages.
Destination BC has created a quick reference document with some key questions to ask yourself. Click WHAT MAKES A STORY IDEA for the full article.
TOURISM PARTNERS PROGRAM – REGIONAL SECTIONS
With summer fast approaching we are participating in many publications to showcase the beauty and activities that make our region ‘British Columbia’s Mountain Playground’. Working with Destination BC, our regional sections feature fantastic imagery that will inspire visitors to our province. The new Super, Natural BC logo and headlines using the new Great Forest font are featured in the regional sections. Two examples include KOOTENAY MOUNTAIN CULTURE (featured above) and WHERE CANADIAN ROCKIES SUMMER 2015 available to visitors now!
For a complete list of the Tourism Partners projects available for regional collaboration please check KRTOURISM.CA/A-Z
STAKEHOLDER NEWS – AINSWORTH HOT SPRINGS RESORT – NEW OWNERS
Previous owners, Norm and Joyce Mackie, purchased the property from Joyce’s parents, Sam and Belle Homen, in 1979. “We are privileged and pleased to enter into this purchase agreement with Chief Jason Louie and the Lower Kootenay Band,” Norm and Joyce Mackie said in a written statement. “The resort has been a family affair since 1962 and transferring ownership is a daunting experience.”
One of the goals for the new owners is to work closely with Ainsworth area residents and to continue to build relationships to strengthen the area’s tourist economy, Louie said. “The Spirit Water has been medicine for healing various ailments that the human body experiences,” he said. “This business venture reconnects our First Nation to a significant cultural site of the Ktunaxa people. The Lower Kootenay Band will continue to strive for excellence in hospitality and experience. Professional development will be ongoing and customer service will remain a priority.”
Kootenay Rockies Tourism looks forward to working with the Lower Kootenay Band to showcase this unique and historic tourism destination.
COMMUNITY FEATURE: YOU’RE INVITED TO PADDLE KOOTENAY LAKE!
You’re invited to paddle Kootenay Lake, for one day or seven days, from Meadow Creek to Nelson, June 25 – July 1, 2015. Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism is providing support on-land and on-water to make your trip as safe and enjoyable as possible. Experience all this magnificent lake has to offer; from vibrant wetlands to expansive beaches to rich mountain forests. More information available through PADDLE KOOTENAY LAKE.
DESTINATION BC NEWS
DESTINATION BC (DBC) has released new reports for the tourism industry. Get all of the latest provincial tourism news by signing up for DBC’s Corporate Newsletter and Marketing updates by signing up HERE.
SHORT HAUL CONSUMER RESEARCH – In 2014, Destination British Columbia commissioned a study to assist with the development of a strategy for the short-haul markets of Washington State, Alberta, and British Columbia. Research was needed to determine how short-haul travellers decide to come to British Columbia, what they perceive as possible destinations within the province, and the experiences that they seek within these destinations. The study included interactive online discussions with 60 short-haul travellers and an online survey of 2,260 short-haul travellers.
VALUE OF SKI AREAS – This report focuses on the economic operations and impacts of the ski areas of British Columbia. The impacts included in this report are based on the operations of BC ski areas including spending and employment by the ski areas, as well as spending by visitors while on trips to/in BC for the purpose of visiting a ski area.
And don’t forget to #exploreBC! Be part of the provincial marketing initiatives this year and help raise awareness of the #exploreBC hashtag with your customers and guests. Order free POINT OF SALE material here!
CANADIAN TOURISM COMMISSION REBRANDS
Prime Minister Harper recently announced that the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) will receive additional support of $30 million over the next three years for the major new marketing campaign to attract more A
merican visitors to destinations across Canada. This initiative will enable the CTC to build on its strong brand and track record of collaborating with partners in the private sector, international travel trade, and the provinces and territories to attract international visitors. FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE
The Minister of State also announced that the CTC has come out with a bold new corporate identity: Destination Canada. The new corporate identity was revealed at Rendez-Vous Canada this week. Check the @DestinationCanada twitter account for the latest updates.
PEOPLE MAKE THE PLACE
Enter go2HR’s contest for a chance to win a $500 gift card!
For the third year, go2HR – BC’s tourism human resource association – presents the People Make the Place contest. This year, employees in BC’s tourism and hospitality industry are encouraged to submit a 200-word story explaining why they enjoy working in BC’s tourism industry.
Employees can enter the contest by visiting PeopleMakeThePlace.ca and completing the online form with their story. One lucky person will have their name randomly drawn to win a $500 Best Buy gift card. The best stories also get a chance to be profiled on go2HR.ca.
The contest is open to all tourism and hospitality employees in BC. Contest ends June 30, 2015. Visit PeopleMakeThePlace.ca for contest details and rules and regulations.
CHANGES TO THE WORKERS COMPENSATION ACT
Bill 9 has received Royal Assent on May 14, which contained a number of changes to the Workers Compensation Act that affect how employers conduct incident investigations. These changes are effective immediately. To assist businesses in understanding and implementing these new requirements, go2HR is offering a webinar on Workplace Incident Investigations on June 17.
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Time: 10am – 11am PST
Speaker: Alex Booth, Regional Manager, Employers’ Advisors Office
Cost: $25.00 (plus GST) (Click here to find out if you can attend for FREE)
More details and registration form is available through this link: REGISTER HERE
TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION CANADA NEWS
The China Tourism agreement is a huge success for Canada. On May 26 the Honorable Maxime Bernier joined with the leadership of the Canadian tourism industry to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Canada being granted Approved Destination Status (ADS) from China. Since the historic agreement in 2010, Chinese tourism to Canada has grown at an astounding rate of 24% per year generating $3B in export revenue. In 2014 year over year growth in visitation from China reached 30% with over a billion dollars in receipts. Click for the FULL PRESS RELEASE.
TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF BC NEWS
The TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF BC Board of Directors has selected Walt Judas as the new Chief Executive Officer effective May 15, 2015.
Walt Judas is the former Vice President, Marketing Communications, Member Services & Sport for Tourism Vancouver. As part of the senior management team, Walt managed the departments of Member Relations, Sponsorship, Marketing Services, Travel & Trade Media Relations, and Destination Development. He also handled corporate communications and was the organization’s primary spokesperson. FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
