Updates, webinars, events, opportunities to get involved, resources, and research to support Thompson Okanagan tourism professionals.
Midnight Musings from the TOTA Team
Hi there,
Since the previous Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) AGM in November 2020, the elected TOTA Board Directors have shared their time, insights, and expertise to guide the strategic direction of the Thompson Okanagan tourism region. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of each board member over this challenging time.
This year we have four board members completing their 2-year term and three board members letting their names stand for re-election, including:
As the first election post-pandemic, we are excited to see the level of interest in participating on the TOTA board and look forward to having broad representation and an inclusive group of candidates representing communities from around the Thompson Okanagan region, with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences.
Submit a Nomination for the 2022 TOTA Board Election
This is an outstanding list of candidates, however there is still time to nominate additional individuals as board candidates.
If you have any questions about the TOTA board, election process, or how to get involved, please email TOTA Board Liaison, Chelsea Travere, at [email protected].
TOTA's Crisis Management Coordinator works with with Emergency Management BC to monitor events in the Thompson Okanagan region and support impacted communities, tourism businesses, Indigenous partners, and other parties.
Events that impact multiple communities for an extended period of time will be shared in this section of the newsletter.
For the full list of current advisories, orders, alerts, and rescinds in BC, visit EmergencyInfoBC.gov.bc.ca.
Current Wildfire Information
Wildfires are impacting some areas of the Thompson Okanagan region. Local air quality can change quickly due to the unpredictable nature of fires and wind.
For the most up to date information, please visit the local community or First Nation government website and channels linked below:
The Kamloops Fire Centre (which includes Thompson Valley. Okanagan Valley, Gold Country, and Similkameen Valley) has prohibited the following activities and equipment:
TOTA and GreenStep Solutions hosted a webinar to share how tourism companies can reduce costs and save energy through energy efficiency measures. The webinar will assist tourism operators in understanding the energy audit process and how to reduce their energy bills and overall carbon footprint.
Facilitated by TOTA’s Energy Analyst Harshit Srivastava and Greenstep's Energy Advisor Razzaq Mohammed, this webinar covered the following:
TOTA and GreenStep’s Energy Savings Program.
Process of an energy assessment and energy audit.
Areas where energy consumption can be reduced by implementing energy efficient equipment.
Some low cost and no cost energy efficiency measures to reduce your energy bills.
The Province is launching upgrades to Emergency Support Services (ESS), including direct payment for evacuees to help meet their basic needs such as food and clothing.
Destination Canada published its Spring 2022 Tourism Outlook outlining the forecast for tourism recovery. The study was conducted between late March and May and the assumptions reflect the operating context of that time. Read the full report to learn about travel demand, key recovery drivers, and several forecast scenarios.
Community Recreational Initiatives Society is hosting the 3rd annual Adaptive Amazing Race, a fundraising event to help CRIS continue to break down barriers and increase outdoor recreational accessibility.
Join this fun event with a team of 4-6 and compete using adaptive equipment or participate as a sponsor.
After two years, Freeride Days at Big White is back! Freeride Days brings together some of the best riders from around the world to the Okanagan to compete in a series of high-action mountain biking events. Get up close to the action and sign up to volunteer for marshalling/access control or course marshalling for the newest event - Dual Slalom.
Glohaven is a destination management ecosystem that supports tourism communities to increase tourism innovation in Canada. The digital community hub seamlessly integrates a variety of local tourism products, experiences, information, and tools into one platform to easily connect to the growing audience of socially conscious consumers in the online world.
Currently, Glohaven is:
Commercializing with key customers like the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
Onboarding the first round of Beta test vendors to https://Glohaven.com, with plans to open the platform to public users in December. Testing will begin with a few pilot community marketplaces including Osoyoos and Vernon, with several Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) members.
Curating custom Globoxes™ (tourism gift boxes) for a variety of clients this year including major destination resorts and tourism organizations.
Investment Opportunity
To fuel growth over the next 12 - 18 months, Glohaven opened a $1.5 Million round of funding, with $200,000 secured. Glohaven is seeking investors / individuals who support the tourism industry and community-based projects. Through this investment opportunity, individuals from B.C. who invest in Glohaven receive a 30% refundable tax credit through the Province of BC / Investment Capital Branch / Eligible Business Corporation program.
To learn more, contact Glohaven CEO and Founder, Michael Benedek, at [email protected].
Destination Canada and TED are collaborating to create [email protected], producing 14 TED Talks from the brightest speakers, best storytellers and biggest changemakers connected to Canada. They are looking for fresh ideas across a breadth of industries, from the creative economy, to academia, culture, business innovation, climate, tech, tourism and more.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is partnering with the BC Association of Agricultural Fairs and Exhibitions to launch a Buy BC Trivia Contest during the 2022 B.C. fair season to help increase awareness of the Buy BC brand and encourage people to purchase B.C food and beverage products.
BC’s tourism industry has stepped forward to help our communities in so many ways over the last year. Do you know someone who should be recognized for their efforts? British Columbians are encouraged to nominate their fellow citizens who have made outstanding contributions through exceptional service to their communities for this year's Medal of Good Citizenship. It recognizes people for extraordinary generosity, service, acts of selflessness and contributions to their community.
Emergencies and disasters can happen any time and without warning. The more prepared you are for them, the better you'll be able to respond. WorksafeBC developed a resource for employers that will help you plan for emergencies and develop effective procedures for evacuating your workplace.
go2HR announced a two-year initiative, providing a regional HR consultant to work with tourism and hospitality businesses for the six destination development areas in B.C., including the Thompson Okanagan region.
Ginger Brunner will continue to work as the Regional HR Specialist for the Thompson Okanagan region, providing support in the following areas:
Recruitment Strategy & Planning
Develop or audit a recruitment strategy
Help build a job description
Identify potential recruitment channels,
Hire from diverse labour pools,
Provide interviewing tips and guidelines,
Create objective selection criteria
Support access to student recruitment grants specifically for Tourism and Hospitality businesses (PROPEL)
Onboarding
Outlining the components of a good onboarding plan
Detailing the process
Offering appropriate resources
Retention
Building respectful workplaces
Equity, diversity and inclusion
Mental health and wellness
Bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment
Training & development, including support accessing BC Employer Training Grant
The Canadian Red Cross is committed to supporting affected individuals and communities impacted by the November 2021 floods and extreme weather event in British Columbia. Support for small businesses and not-for-profit organizations is essential to the recovery of people and communities affected by a disaster.
The Government of Canada has announced details of a new two-year, up to $166-million Wine Sector Support Program to help strengthen the future of the wine sector.
To help combat the effects of climate change on B.C.’s long-term food security, new funding is helping farmers and ranchers protect their operations by adopting regenerative agriculture practices, improving farms’ drought resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
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