News & Resources

The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.

 
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Thompson Nicola Entrepreneurs Awarded Grants and Mentorships to Help Spark New Tourism Ideas

Three finalists who made winning pitches for the Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

 

KELOWNA, B.C. – Three finalists who made winning pitches for the Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

The Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program is presented by Destination British Columbia in collaboration with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Tourism Valemount, Tourism Kamloops, Tourism Sun Peaks, Explore Gold Country, Tourism Wells Gray, and the Tourism Innovation Lab.

The program’s goal is to find, foster, and support new tourism ideas, experiences, and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the area.

Seven applications were received, with the top five being invited to present their new tourism ideas at the virtual Pitch Session held on December 1. Judge panels of local partner representatives and tourism innovators from outside the region selected the three winning applicants.

 

The Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program winners are:

 

In addition to seed funds, mentorship, and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the province.

For more information visit https://TourismInnovation.ca/ThompsonNicola.html 

 

Quotes

Richard Porges, President & CEO, Destination BC

“We are excited to be supporting local tourism entrepreneurs in the Thompson Nicola area by awarding “Spark” grants and mentorships that will create new tourism experiences and offerings. We look forward to seeing all the winners bring their creative and innovative initiatives to life as they strive to enhance the visitor experience and add value to local communities.”

Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

“The “Spark” program has provided an opportunity to learn about many exciting initiatives and ideas in the Thompson Nicola. We congratulate the winners and look forward to watching as their plans unfold and help to grow visitor experiences. We also encourage others to continue to follow their dreams and passions, and bring new experiences to the Thompson Okanagan region.”

Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab

“We congratulate the three winners of the Thompson Nicola “Spark” Program, and are excited to work with them to help develop new and exciting tourism offerings in the region.” 

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Media Contacts

TOTA Communications

Chelsea Travere, Communications Specialist, Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

Email: News@TOTABC.com

 

Destination BC Media Relations
Email: Media.Relations@DestinationBC.ca

 

Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead, Tourism Innovation Lab

Email: Info@TourismInnovation.ca

 

Social Media

Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)

LinkedIn: @TOTABCNews

Facebook: @TOTABCNews

Twitter: @TOTABCNews


Destination BC
Twitter: @DestinationBC
LinkedIn: @DestinationBritishColumbia

 

Tourism Innovation Lab
Facebook: @TourismInnovationCanada
Instagram: @TourismInnovationCanada
Twitter: @TourInnovation


About Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association:

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests of the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. TOTA is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia and the BC Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport.

TOTA is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies.

Learn more at www.TOTABC.org.

 

About Destination BC:
Destination British Columbia (Destination BC) is a Provincially funded, industry-led Crown corporation that supports a strong and competitive future for BC’s tourism industry through a combination of global marketing, destination development, industry learning, cooperative community-based programs, and visitor servicing. Destination BC’s programs help to improve the visitor experience, support businesses and communities across the province, and strengthen BC’s worldwide reputation as a destination of choice.

For more information about Destination BC’s programs and services, please visit: www.DestinationBC.ca.

About the Tourism Innovation Lab
The Tourism Innovation Lab is a non-profit initiative created to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships, to cultivate and propel collaborations between the tourism and tech sectors, and to build a community of tourism innovators, idea makers and entrepreneurs. Launched in Ontario in 2018, the Lab and its "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program are expanding to new regions across Canada. The Tourism Innovation Lab is a program of Hackforge and has a BC home base in Squamish.

Learn more at www.TourismInnovation.ca.

 
 
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Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Supports Women of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality through Sponsorship of Empower Her Event by WORTH Association

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has signed on as a Bronze Sponsor for the Empower Her series of events, organized by the Women of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Association.

Empower Her is WORTH’s signature networking and panel discussion event for women in hospitality and tourism. WORTH is hosting the fifth edition of the event in 2022 and 2023 to educate, elevate, and empower women in the industry - and first in the Thompson Okanagan region.

The Thompson Okanagan event will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna at 6 PM to 9:30 PM. The panel will feature four panelists who will examine ways organizations and individuals can accelerate women into leadership roles at the senior level.

 

Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Time: 6 - 9:30 PM
Location: Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna


The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) has signed on as a Bronze Sponsor for the Empower Her series of events, organized by the Women of Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Association. This sponsorship demonstrates TOTA’s commitment to supporting initiatives that elevate, educate, and empower women in the tourism industry.

TOTA and WORTH Association are in consultation to examine their roles as non-profit organizations in promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and reconciliation efforts across the province of British Columbia.

“As an association, we envision a future free of bias, discrimination, and sexism,” said TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews. “This sponsorship is an investment to support WORTH Association in their work to advance gender equity initiatives.”

Empower Her is WORTH’s signature networking and panel discussion event for women in hospitality and tourism. After a two-year hiatus, WORTH is hosting the fifth edition of the event in 2022 and 2023 to educate, elevate, and empower women in the industry - and first in the Thompson Okanagan region.

The Thompson Okanagan event will be held on Tuesday, October 18 at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna at 6 PM to 9:30 PM. Moderated by TOTA CEO Ellen Walker-Matthews, the panel will feature inspiring women working in the Okanagan tourism industry and will examine ways organizations and individuals can accelerate women into leadership roles at the senior level.

The panelists include:

  • Lisanne Ballantyne, CEO, Tourism Kelowna

  • Christina Ferreira, Owner, Impact Events & Project Management

  • Sandy Leier, Winemaker, Laughing Stock Vineyards

  • Shelley Robinson, Chef/Owner, Golden Lucky Peach Enterprises

Tickets are now available at WORTHAssociation.com/empower-her-kelowna-2022. Other Empower Her events are planned for Victoria, Vancouver, and Whistler.

WORTH’s mentorship, leadership, and empowerment programs have supported many women since 2019 and significant expansion is planned through support from partners such as TOTA.  

Previously, TOTA has supported WORTH by sharing resources, such as the WORTH Association Gender Equity Audit, hosting a webinar on Retaining and Developing Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality, and donating funds towards programs.

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Background

About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests of the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia. TOTA is supported by and representative of Destination British Columbia and the B.C. Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport.

TOTA is an industry-led organization that represents and supports all business and community tourism interests in the region, while also helping to implement provincial tourism policies. 

For more information, visit TOTABC.org.

About WORTH Association:

WORTH Association was incorporated in 2018 to combat inequities in the industry and provide opportunities for networking, mentorship, education, and leadership development for women of WORTH across British Columbia. WORTH advocates with industry associations to ensure a more equal future for women in industry leadership. WORTH Association is a non-profit society run 100% by volunteers, relying on donations from partners and friends to educate, elevate, and empower women.

For more information, visit WORTHAssociation.com.

Become a member for free (for a limited time) to stay connected and supported through WORTH’s newsletter, events and resources.


For more information, contact:

Chelsea Travere
Corporate Communications Specialist
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA)
E: News@TOTABC.com

Joanna Jagger
President & Founder
WORTH Association
E: Info@WORTHAssociation.com

 
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