Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and TOTA partner to benefit students in TRU’s tourism management program and support the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab

KAMLOOPS – Thompson Rivers University (TRU) and the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to benefit students in TRU’s tourism management program and support the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab.

The partnership prioritizes collaboration between TRU and TOTA to support students entering the tourism field through learning resources and opportunities, industry mentorship and referrals. TOTA’s support for the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab also fuels business development in the tourism sector.

“I am thrilled to affirm our commitment to fostering the next generation of tourism leaders through our partnership with Thompson Rivers University. Together, we are empowering students with invaluable resources, mentorship and opportunities to innovate within the dynamic tourism sector. This collaboration not only enriches the educational experience but also fuels entrepreneurial spirit, driving forward the future of tourism in our region,” said Ellen Walker-Matthews, CEO of TOTA.

TRU, in partnership with Tourism Kamloops and the Kamloops Innovation Centre, launched the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab in February 2020. The entrepreneurship program leverages an existing tourism management course at the university and supports students to develop an innovative tourism product through research and industry mentorship.

Students can further develop their business ideas through the Tourism Venture Acceleration Program with support from the TRU Generator and Kamloops Innovation Centre to produce market-ready tourism products that fill current gaps.

“Industry partnership is critical to the success of our program, students and alumni because it keeps education up to speed with market activity and gaps, especially in BC,” said David Carter, assistant teaching professor and director of the Tourism Innovation Lab. “Our partnership with TOTA ensures students have access to resources that are current and reflect the state of the industry today.”

Success stories from the TRU Tourism Innovation Lab include:

• Pilot tour to the McAbee Fossil Beds Heritage Site with Jada Glen

• Guided hiking in Kamloops with Alex Page

• ShredLoops with Steffen Masaites (watch the video here)

Additionally, TOTA has renewed funding for the Tourism Excellence Award first established in 2014 to provide a $1,500 annual scholarship for the top academic student on the Bachelor of Tourism Management Program.

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Contacts:

David Carter, Director, Tourism Innovation Lab
Thompson Rivers University
DCarter@TRU.ca

Ellen Walker Matthews, President and CEO
Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association
Ellen@TOTABC.com

Memorial Scholarship & Support for Thompson Rivers University Students Involved in Fatal Crash

On November 29, a Thompson Rivers University (TRU) student, Owyn McInnis, died and two others, Owen Waterhouse and Riley Brinnen, were seriously injured after a crash near the school’s campus in Kamloops (see Castanet article).

After this tragic event, Thompson Rivers University launched a scholarship, the Owyn McInnis Memorial Men's Volleyball Athletic Award (Learn More).

Those that wish to support the fund can make a donation to TRU.

As well, GoFundMe pages were launched for Riley Brinnen and Owen Waterhouse to assist with their recovery. The funds raised will help cover some of the costs for the two young men, their families, and the medical teams.

Brinnen is described as “a strong, athletic absolute sweetheart of a man.” He played minor hockey in West Kelowna, before taking to volleyball in Grade 10 at Kelowna Secondary School. He graduated from KSS in 2020 and earned a spot on TRU’s men’s volleyball team. He is currently in his fourth year of a psychology degree at the university.

Owen’s friends and family know him as “an extraordinary young man who lights up any room he enters with his smile.” Waterhouse was born and raised in Kelowna and is a graduate of Kelowna Secondary School. The outside hitter is in his second year with the TRU WolfPack.

Those that wish to support can make a donation to Riley’s GoFundMe page and Owen’s GoFundMe page.

This is a tremendous tragedy in the region and our hearts go out to everyone involved.

TOTA Joins Forces with Planet Happiness and Thompson Rivers University to Measure Happiness and Well-Being of Thompson Okanagan Residents

Kelowna, BC (October 06, 2020) - The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Planet Happiness, and Thompson Rivers University (TRU) have formed a long-term partnership to measure the happiness and well-being of residents and communities within the Thompson Okanagan region through the Happiness Index survey. Strengthening our understanding of the impact of tourism on the well-being of communities, use of the Happiness Index survey aims to demonstrate that measuring destination well-being and happiness is as important as tracking profits and visitor arrivals and supports responsible destination management.

"The long-term viability of destinations depends on tourism improving the quality of life of local communities. Over time, the Happiness Index will help measure how well this is being done by engaging with residents directly," said Glenn Mandziuk, President and CEO of TOTA. "These findings will assist TOTA in assessing how the region is meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as inform our ongoing efforts toward tourism recovery and resiliency."

Planet Happiness works with tourism organizations and universities, such as TOTA and TRU, to deploy the Happiness Index and focus the attention of everyone involved on using tourism to improve the quality of life in tourism destinations.

“We support destinations to move beyond the narrow tourism dollar and GDP agenda. TOTA is promoting sustainable and quality tourism objectives in the region. We are delighted to join with both TRU and TOTA on the journey to happiness and well-being," said Dr. Paul Rogers, co-founder and director of Planet Happiness.

The Happiness Index is well established as part of a global initiative to measure well-being in tourism destinations linked to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with partners in 14 tourism destinations across ten countries. Indicators include satisfaction with life, access to nature and arts, community engagement, standard of living, life-long learning, and health. The Thompson Okanagan region includes Mount Robson Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring the highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies. The Thompson Okanagan region is the first Planet Happiness partnership in Canada.

"Planet Happiness will support TRU and TOTA by deploying what is perhaps the most progressive, adaptable, and easy to use Happiness Index survey on the planet," said Laura Musikanski, author, lawyer, and co-founder of Planet Happiness, a project of the Happiness Alliance. 

TRU tourism faculty member Dr. John Hull will assist with the project in the Thompson Okanagan region.

"Sustainability is a core value at TRU, where the university has been recognized as Canada's first platinum-ranked sustainable university and where the new vision for the university places priorities on community partnerships, lifelong learning, and research," said Doug Booth, Dean of the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts, and Tourism at TRU. 

Visit TOTABC.org/happiness-index to learn more and stay updated on the launch of the first Thompson Okanagan Happiness Index Survey. 

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About the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA):
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association is a non-profit society, governed by an elected Board of Directors, which represents business and community tourism interests throughout the region, and is supported by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, Arts, & Culture. It 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 Planet Happiness:
Planet Happiness is a grassroots, big data project to introduce happiness  and well-being science, policy and practice to local communities, governments, and businesses connected to the travel and tourism industry. Dr. Paul Rogers, co-founder and director of Planet Happiness, has over 20 years of experience as a tourism advisor to national and local governments and has worked in more than a dozen countries across Asia, Africa, and Australia. For more information, visit OurHeritageOurHappiness.com.

About Happiness Alliance:
Happiness Alliance is a non-profit organization with a mission to contribute to the transformation of economies and societies so that the happiness of people, the well-being of communities, and the sustainability of ecosystems is the primary aim of governance, enterprise, and people. Since 2010, the Happiness Alliance has provided happiness and well-being tools and resources, including the Happiness Index. Executive director Laura Musikanski has authored multiple books and articles, and is also the co-author of the Happiness Policy Handbook. For more information, visit HappyCounts.org. 

About Thompson Rivers University (TRU): 
Since 1970, TRU has taken pride in providing an excellent education to students from a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives, serving more than 25,000 students on campuses in Kamloops and Williams Lake, and via distance or online courses and programs through Open Learning. From traditional academics to trades, from certificates to graduate degrees, TRU offers over 140 on-campus programs and 50-plus Open Learning programs. Research, creation and innovation thrive in TRU’s open, flexible learning environment. For more information, visit TRU.ca.

Wiegele’s donation to TRU benefits North Thompson students

Source: Thompson Rivers University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MONDAY, MARCH 2, 2020

KAMLOOPS—Mike Wiegele, the founder of Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing, has funded several new awards at TRU for students from the North Thompson and the Simpcw First Nation.

Wiegele donated $50,000 to fund 14 awards for students in the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism. The donation contributes to TRU’s Limitless Campaign to raise $50 million, coinciding with TRU’s 50th anniversary this year.

TRU Dean of Adventure Studies, Culinary Arts and Tourism Management Douglas Booth (left) shares a moment with Mike Wiegele (right).

“I believe the future of the North Thompson Valley is tourism,” Wiegele said. “Tourism needs more financial support and better access to professional development. It’s important to develop and create a source of employment for young people, to be structured in hospitality, business and economics, and to aid young people in the North Thompson to achieve a high level of service and international standards.”

Just like TRU, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing is also celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020. Wiegele established the premier heli-ski resort in Blue River in 1970 and is marking five decades of operations with the community that made it possible. While the North Thompson faces economic struggles with the downturn in BC’s forest industry, it’s important to provide access to education for those who will enhance the future of tourism.

This year, two $8,000 scholarships for students from the Simpcw First Nation, and four entrance awards and four scholarships of $2,000 for students from the North Thompson will be awarded.

“We employ up to 240 people at the highest level of tourism with good-paying jobs,” Wiegele said.

“We would not be here today without the backing of the local community and we want to continue to give back to and support its residents.

“We greatly value our friendship with the Simpcw First Nation, with whom we share not only the mountains in which we work and play, but also the vision of sustainable and environmentally responsible economic development,” he added.

The donation also funds two Adventure Studies scholarships and two Adventure Studies leadership awards and provides additional funding for the program to purchase avalanche training equipment.

“The Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism gratefully acknowledges the generous donation by Mike Wiegele,” said Dean Douglas Booth.

“This donation will have an enormous impact on the lives of those students who receive scholarships. In addition to the financial support, the scholarships will also give students an introduction, and point of connection, to the Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing resort, a world-leading tourism operation in British Columbia. Through connections like this, TRU helps students find their way in the world while also assisting local tourism operators.”

Call Me Crazy, a film chronicling Mike Wiegele’s legendary life, is featured during the Kamloops Film Festival on Friday, March 6, at the Paramount Theatre.

So far, TRU’s Limitless Campaign has raised $43 million for student support, research, capital projects and equipment, and community initiatives. For more information, go to tru.ca/limitless

Contact:

Matic Vecko, General Manager, Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing

250-673-2415 | matic@wiegele.com

Douglas Booth, Dean, Faculty of Adventure Studies, Culinary Arts and Tourism Management

250-852-7138 | dobooth@tru.ca

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Michele Young

Content Specialist

Marketing and Communications

Thompson Rivers University

Clocktower CT203

805 TRU Way

Kamloops, BC V2XC 0C8

250-828-5361

micyoung@tru.ca

tru.ca/marcom

Tourism Kamloops Supports TRU’s Limitless Campaign

For Immediate Release

January 30, 2020 – Tourism Kamloops has joined the Thompson Rivers University (TRU) Limitless campaign, announcing at the 4th Annual BOLD Hospitality Awards a $50,000 donation to fund hands-on learning opportunities for students.

Limitless is the university’s largest-ever fundraising campaign, with a goal to raise $50 million for TRU’s 50th anniversary, in support of students, research, equipment and community-related initiatives.

Left to Right - Dustin McIntyre - TRU, Director of Development, Beverley DeSantis - Tourism Kamloops CEO, Douglas Booth - TRU, Dean of the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts, and Tourism, David Carter - TRU, Lecturer & Steve Earl - Tourism Kamloops Board Chair.

The $50,000 donation goes toward the Tourism Innovation Lab founded by Tourism Kamloops, a collaboration with the Kamloops Innovation Centre (KIC) and the department of Tourism Management. This funding gives students the opportunity to take ideas developed in class and, when successfully pitched, incubate and accelerate in partnership with KIC to transform them into new tourism businesses.

“Our partnership with TRU and KIC and investment in our students is a dedicated effort directly supporting the future of Kamloops as a robust tourism destination,” said Beverley DeSantis, Tourism Kamloops chief executive officer.

“Endorsed by our stakeholders, experience development is a top priority for Tourism Kamloops. To engage, mentor and guide future tourism entrepreneurs from idea to start-up to create the right experience, for the right visitor, at the right time is vital to a thriving visitor economy.”

“This combination of industry and academic partners helps establish an initiative that benefits students, the city and the tourism sector,” said Douglas Booth, dean of the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts, and Tourism.

“The Tourism Innovation Lab is a perfect example of Thompson Rivers University working with a local enterprise, Tourism Kamloops, to provide an opportunity for students to develop entrepreneurial skills, tourism-based products and tourism-based ventures,” he said.

“These new skills, products and ventures will contribute to the prosperity, growth and sustainability of Kamloops and the Thompson-Okanagan region.”

Kamloops welcomes 1.8 million visitors annually and the local tourism industry generates nearly $500 million in economic impact each year. Retaining TRU tourism students and supporting their work benefits the whole city, noted DeSantis.

To date, TRU’s Limitless campaign has raised $42.7 million. For more information, go to tru.ca/limitless

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Media Contacts:
Beverley DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Kamloops
250-517-9094 | bev@tourismkamloops.com

Douglas Booth, Dean, Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts, and Tourism
250-852-7138 | dobooth@tru.ca