Thompson Okanagan Tourism News Summary | Week of 2022-07-11

Updates, webinars, events, opportunities to get involved, resources, and research to support Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals.

Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team Hi there, TOTA has several programs available to support Thompson Okanagan tourism companies, including:: Biosphere Commitment Program TOTA’s Biosphere Commitment Program supports Thompson Okanagan tourism industry stakeholders to align business practices with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The annual membership includes: Access to sustainable tourism tools and training, such as the Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle Platform, which includes an easy to use SDG planner, evidence collection, and listing on BiosphereSustainable.com Access to occupational health and safety training through go2HR Business assessments and recommendations Recognition on TOTABC.org Discounts for partner services, such as the bookEco Advantage Plan and Sustainable Life App™ listings And more For more information about the Thompson Okanagan Biosphere Commitment Program, visit TOTABC.org/biosphere-commitment or email [email protected] Interested in Joining the Biosphere Commitment Program? Book a Biosphere Introduction Presentation → Energy Assessment & Eco Efficiency Assessment TOTA has partnered with FortisBC and GreenStep Solutions to help Thompson Okanagan tourism companies improve operational efficiencies and reduce costs. Any tourism business in the Thompson Okanagan region can receive a complimentary virtual Energy Assessment, which includes an analysis of historical utility data, report, and presentation. Get Started → Biosphere Committed Companies can receive a full Eco Efficiency Assessment of onsite energy, water, and waste, which includes an eco-efficiency toolkit and a one-year subscription to carbon software at no extra cost. Get Started → go2HR SuperHost Courses go2HR has generously offered BC Tourism Resiliency Network clients complimentary seats for their online SuperHost® Customer Service Training courses Service For All and Foundations for Service Quality, which equips customer service employees with the practical skills and knowledge they need to meet and exceed their customers’ expectations.. The regular price of the courses is $59 each. To access the courses, sign up for the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Resiliency Program (if your company did not previously register).The Tourism Resiliency Program is a free service that connects you with a TOTA advisor. After your initial call,  your advisor will share the instructions to access the SuperHost® courses. You can connect with your advisor as needed and will receive special offers and discounts as they become available. Learn more or email [email protected] with any questions. Host an Event at the Indigenous Artian’s Trail (IArT) Venue  Indigenous Artisan’s Trail (IArT) is a collaboration between TOTA and Indigenous Tourism BC, launched in 2019 to connect visitors to Interior Salish arts and culture in the Thompson Okanagan.  This year, IArT is now available as a venue for hosting meetings, events, and pop-ups. Companies and entrepreneurs can reserve the IArT Venue for a variety of events from July to October 2022, located at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre on Route 97, above Peachland (3960 BC-97C). To learn more and reserve the IArT Venue, go to TOTABC.org/indigenous/iart. Future Programs More programs will be available in the coming months. For updates, be sure to subscribe to TOTA News updates or register for the Tourism Resiliency Program for one on one guidance. - The TOTA Team   Newsletter Contents Crisis Communications TOTA News Upcoming Dates Get Involved Resource Roundup Research Spotlight   Crisis Communications Register in TOTA's Emergency Contact Database Tourism companies in the Thompson Okanagan region can complete the Emergency Contact form to help TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator support you and other communities in a crisis situation. Register → TOTA News Host an Event at the Indigenous Artisan’s Trail (IArT) Venue near Peachland The Indigenous Artisan’s Trail (IArT) Venue is now available to companies and entrepreneurs to reserve for events from July to October 2022. Operated by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Indigenous Tourism Program, IArT is located at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre on Route 97, above Peachland (3960 BC-97C). Read More → Universal Design Washroom Renovation at Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre TOTA is excited to announce the Accessible and Universal Design Washroom Renovation for the Tourism Inspiration Centre above Peachland on the Highway 97C Connector. The renovation project was made possible through funding from the Enabling Accessibility Fund Youth Stream, as well as funding from the BC Rehab Foundation. TOTA will be putting forward the remainder of the renovation costs to complete the project. Read More → Upcoming Dates TaxSense for Small Business Jul 12, 2022 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Small Business BC Whether you are starting or looking to grow your business, the business structure you choose can have a massive impact on your profits and tax situation. Learn More →  Creating a Civil and Respectful Workplace – Tourism & Hospitality Jul 12, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Host: go2HR More than ever, businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the critical importance of mental health and creating psychologically healthy and safe work environments. Civility and respect is one of the 13 psychosocial factors that are encompassed within the best practice frame of the CSA National Standard for Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace. However, it’s a factor that cuts across all elements to the heart of mental health. Learn More & Register → How to Create an Exit Plan for Your Business Jul 14, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM Host: Small Business BC One statistic suggests that 80% of business owners want to stop working in their business within the next 10 years, and yet only about 20% have an exit plan. As time passes, every entrepreneur will face the challenging task of putting an exit plan in place. This seminar will introduce the exit planning process and provide you with the 7 key steps to a business exit plan. Learn More → Destinations International Annual Convention Jul 19, 2022 – Jul 21, 2022 | 1:00 PM Host: Destinations International Learn More & Register → Writing a Business Plan Jul 19, 2022 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Small Business BC Writing a business plan provides a roadmap to success for your business. It will outline your goals and the steps you will take to achieve them. This seminar will take a deep dive into the various aspects of a business plan and the key questions you need to address in each. You’ll identify the gaps in your plan and the areas you need to develop further. You’ll also find out about business plan reviewing and how it can take your start-up to the next phase. Learn More →   Social Media for Small Business Jul 27, 2022 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Host: Small Business BC This workshop focuses on understanding social media for small business, what it is and how it’s connecting people. Learn More & Register → How to Prepare Your Business for the Holidays Jul 28, 2022 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Host: Small Business BC The middle of summer may seem like a strange time to begin Holiday preparations, but the truth is, savvy business owners know now is the time to start planning for success. The days are counting down to some of the busiest and most demanding shopping days of the year – Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November, Holidays in December. Have you put your plans in place for success this winter? Learn More → Market Research for Your Business Package Jul 31, 2022 | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Host: Small Business BC In this two-part seminar package, Small Business BC’s Market Research expert, Mark Eversfield will teach you the important steps of gathering both secondary and primary market research. You will learn how ask the right questions, collect key data, and interpret that information to help you make strategic business decisions. Learn More & Register → View Webinar Calendar → View Event Calendar → Get Involved Okanagan Valley Nominated for 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards | Vote Daily Until July 18 The Okanagan Valley has been nominated for USA Today’s 2022 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Awards! An expert panel selected Okanagan Valley as a contender for Best Wine Region category, out of more than 250 North American grapegrowing regions. Voting ends Monday, July 18 and winners will be announced on 10Best on July 29 at 9AM PT. Vote for Okanagan Valley as Best Wine Region → Resource Roundup Destination BC Emergency Preparedness Resources With the changing weather and greater risk of natural disasters, now is a timely opportunity to review emergency preparedness resources. Destination BC has a page dedicated to these resources, including preparedness guides, key agencies, and newly updated messaging & action guidance with shareable responsible travel graphics. The updated Emergency Messaging Guidance document outlines official emergency information resources for British Columbia, as well as suggested messaging, visuals, and actions for BC’s tourism industry during emergencies. It can help tourism businesses navigate questions, mitigate visitor concerns, and proactively manage perceptions during emergencies. Learn More → Promote Safe Travel this Summer with Destination BC Graphics With the arrival of summer and many people looking to Explore BC, Destination BC is encouraging all operators to remind visitors how to enjoy our beautiful province safely and responsibly. Learn More → Electric Vehicle Charger Rebates for British Columbians The Province and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) are making it more affordable for people to install electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in their homes, businesses, and communities. BC residents, businesses, and municipalities can receive rebates for EV charging stations through the CleanBC Go Electric EV Charger Rebate and Fleets programs. View Announcement → Learn More → Bridge to Culinary Arts Free Program Gain the practical skills and knowledge required for an entry-level position in a large kitchen or restaurant setting. Students will become familiar with kitchen layouts, menu planning, food orders and equipment used in everyday cooking for large numbers. This free 6-week course offers both classroom and hands-on experience cooking and preparing food.   Learn More → Research Spotlight Thompson Okanagan Visitor Highlights Baseline visitor analysis to help industry understand visitation and plan strategically to attract visitors. Corporate Sponsors: Connect with TOTA: Subscribe to TOTA News Updates Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), 2280-D Leckie Road, Kelowna, British Columbia V1X 6G6, Canada Unsubscribe Manage preferences