Message from TOTA Board Chair

Michael J. Ballingall TOTA Board Chair and Richard Porges, Destination BC CEO

September... In many ways this month always feels more like the new year than January. As school at every level begins again and the busy days of summer come to an end, life begins to have a renewed energy and momentum. We turn a new page, reevaluate priorities, set goals, and make plans for the months ahead. In business, regardless of what quarter you're in, September takes on the spirit of "Q1".

This September, TOTA, together with our regional partners, have embarked on a new agreement and relationship with Destination BC. This key relationship is coming together at a critical time for the tourism industry. Never before has it been more important that we work together in collaboration at every level to get through the challenges that lay before us, while building a long term vision and strategy to move tourism successfully through the next decade.

This past week many tourism leaders met in person in Vancouver while many others took part in integrated planning sessions on multiple days of virtual meetings. Everyone is committed to working together to rebuild and rethink how we move forward and bring the Super. Natural. British Columbia experience to our guests in even better ways, for years to come.

On behalf of myself, the TOTA board, and the team, I would like to recognize Richard Porges, recently appointed CEO of Destination BC, and the entire Destination BC team for their efforts in facilitating these recent meetings. These discussions fostered a spirit of cooperation, collaboration, and transparency. They set the stage toward creating a resilient tourism industry for the future for all of British Columbia's tourism companies, residents, and visitors.

- Michael J. Ballingall, TOTA Board Chair