On October 23 and 24, TOTA hosted the 2023 Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association AGM & Summit in Penticton, with 14 speakers sharing inspiration and key learnings with over 140 attendees.
The theme, “Now is the Time,” reflected the focus on continuous preparation to ensure readiness of tourism professionals and businesses, which will ultimately elevate visitor experiences, strengthen businesses, and regenerate communities. Attendees finished the event with many insights and connections to take back to their companies and communities.
The event and silent auction raised over $6,000 to donate to regional wildfire relief efforts. The funds will be donated equally to the following charities:
Central Okanagan Fire Relief Fund, a group of professional firefighters from Kelowna, West Kelowna and Lake Country distributing funds to those impacted by wildfires in the area.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Penticton Lakeside Resort. The AGM included an overview for the year ending March 31, 2023, the presentation of the Fiscal Year 2022/23 Audited Financial Statement, Governance Report, TOTA Activities, and the Board Election Results.
Please join us in congratulating the new and returning board of directors.
TOTA is leading an initiative that takes meaningful and measurable steps to reduce the region’s carbon footprint by switching to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to heat and power homes and tourism businesses.
Okanagan Crush Pad and Garnet Valley Ranch Winery added Renewable Natural Gas into their energy portfolio and are encouraging others in the region to take steps to reduce climate-changing emissions by offering a two-night stay at the brand-new Garnet Valley Ranch Winery.
A free introductory webinar on Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to help participants understand how RNG is an adaptable option to lower carbon footprints in businesses, transportation, and residential sectors.
The Emergency and Disaster Management Act, introduced on Oct. 3, 2023, incorporates lessons learned from recent emergencies and reflects modern risks and realities, including climate change. The legislation adheres to the United Nations’ best practices for disaster-risk reduction and incorporates all four phases of emergency management: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
The B.C. Employer Training Grant is a cost-sharing grant program that provides employers throughout B.C. with skills training funding for their workforces, including prospective new hires. Employers can receive 80% of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.
TOTA is nominated for the World's Responsible Tourism Award inthe annual World Travel Awards. The award serves to acknowledge, reward, and celebrate excellence in the global travel and tourism industry. TOTA has received the World Travel Award for Responsible Tourism for four consecutive years and is honoured to be nominated once again in this category.
We would greatly appreciate it if you could take a few moments to register with World Travel Awards and vote for TOTA in category 277. Responsible Tourism Award.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Marketing team recently shared the Thompson Okanagan with media at the Travel Classics West Conference in Vancouver on September 14-17 and GoMedia Canada in Saskatoon on September 25-27.
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