News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Community Futures British Columbia Workshops
Community Futures BC offers free, on-demand workshops for businesses in British Columbia.
These workshops can be accessed by signing up for a free myCommunityFutures account.
Working with Travel Media - Destination BC
Travel media relations is an essential marketing channel to tell our brand story, build awareness and encourage travellers to visit BC.
Check out this guide to help you prepare your destination or tourism business to engage with travel media to tell your story, while outlining both the benefits and the potential pitfalls.
Emergency Preparedness Week - British Columbia
Emergency Preparedness Week, May 4th to 10th, is a great time to encourage preparedness in your communities! This year’s theme is “In it together.”
Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. Now, more than ever, it’s important to:
Work together on a shared goal of being prepared
Get to know your neighbours and community
Identify people around you who may need extra support
Be personally prepared so you can support others and your community
During the week, the PreparedBC team will host free webinars. Find out more and register today via Zoom. All attendees will be entered to win a four-person home emergency kit.
2SLGBTQI+ Newcomer Entrepreneur Initiative
The Canadian Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) offers the Advisor Access Program, a specialized initiative designed to support 2SLGBTQI+ newcomer entrepreneurs in Canada. This program provides structured sessions and personalized networking opportunities with expert advisors, focusing on common business challenges and tailored to the unique needs of 2SLGBTQI+
Applications are open now.
Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop
Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. These free sessions focus on strengthening relations and community connections.
Sessions will:
Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.
Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.
Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.
Register now for sessions on March 20, 2025
Webinar: Recreation and Indigenous Tourism
Register for an upcoming webinar on March 11 at 1:00pm PT, where a panel of experts will discuss how recreation groups can support and collaborate with First Nations and Indigenous-owned businesses. The discussion will explore ways to further nature-based tourism and outdoor recreation initiatives that highlight Indigenous culture, history, and stewardship.
Apply Today for the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s Taste of Place Leadership Program
The Taste of Place Leadership Program is designed to help Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) with the skills to foster culinary and agritourism growth in their communities. Once completed, the program participants will receive a Taste of Place Leadership certificate, and their achievement will be recognized online by the Culinary Tourism Alliance.
For more information about the key learning outcomes or to register for this program, visit the Taste of Place Leadership Program.
Tourism Digital Academy Spring Intake is Now Open
The Tourism Digital Academy is running a spring intake from March 18 – May 7, 2025.
The Tourism Digital Academy, a free eight-week live virtual program is for tourism businesses looking to elevate developed marketing skills to an intermediate level.
The Spring Intake runs from March 18 - May 7, 2025.
Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Tier 2
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and Okanagan College are thrilled to announce the Accelerated Beverage Industry Training Program 2025 - Tier 2 at the Vernon Campus.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) - Tier 2 Program, held at Okanagan College's and Vernon Campus. This second tier of the Accelerated Beverage Industry Training program builds on the past foundational skills and participants’ lived experiences to focus on business development and sustainability in the North Okanagan and the Shuswap.
Open to eligible Shuswap and North Okanagan residents, the program supports professional growth through mentorship, hands-on learning, and reimbursements for childcare, travel, and accommodations.
The Tier 2 Program will run from February 24 to March 7, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.
Applications close February 16, 2025
Okanagan College Women in Beverage Peer Mentor Program
Okanagan College’s Women in Beverage Peer Mentor Program offers participants valuable guidance and leadership insights directly from industry professionals.
The program kicks off with an online meeting on Feb. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. Following that, there will be eight weekly, two-hour sessions scheduled based on the group’s availability and location. Space is limited to only eight applicants, so applicants are encouraged to apply today online or by contacting bcbtac@okanagan.bc.ca.
Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® Workshop
Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. This free session focuses on strengthening relations and community connections.
Sessions will:
Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.
Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.
Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.
Register now for sessions on January 30.
DBC Tourism Digital Academy
The Tourism Digital Academy is a free 8-week course for tourism businesses in BC who are interested in developing their digital marketing skills.
The Tourism Digital Academy is a free 8-week course for tourism businesses in BC who are interested in developing their digital marketing skills.
These courses are designed for business owners or marketing team members and include self-directed learning and live interactive sessions on digital marketing planning, SEO best practices, content marketing, and more.
The Winter intake running from January 29 to March 19 is accepting applicants.
Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Offered in the Shuswap and North Okanagan
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Salmon Arm and Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) Program, held at Okanagan College's Salmon Arm and Vernon Campus.
The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and the Okanagan College Salmon Arm and Vernon campus are thrilled to introduce the 2025 Accelerated Beverage Industry Training (BIT) Program, held at Okanagan College's Salmon Arm and Vernon Campus. This program offers fully funded training for individuals new to or experienced in the beverage industry. It covers essential skills like customer service, beverage sensory training, and sustainable practices, alongside industry certifications such as FoodSafe and WHMIS.
Open to eligible Shuswap and North Okanagan residents, the program supports professional growth through mentorship, hands-on learning, and reimbursements for childcare, travel, and accommodations.
The Shuswap BIT program will run from January 27 to February 7, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.
Applications close January 19th, 2025
The North Okanagan BIT program February 3 to February 14, 2025, Monday to Friday, 9:00 - 4:00 pm with in-person classes.
Applications close January 26th 2025
Help spread the word with your network by sharing program information using the following resources:
BCTCRI Micro-Grant Program Intake Information Session
Learn more about the micro-grant funding available for tourism businesses to implement sustainability and climate adaptation plans or certifications.
Register for the Monday, December 16, 2024 information session here.
Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop
Sign up for the “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples Workshop” designed for tourism professionals in the BC tourism industry. These free sessions focus on strengthening relations and community connections.
Sessions will:
Build Stronger Relationships: Learn key strategies for respectful, effective collaboration.
Enhance Cultural Awareness: Gain insights into Indigenous history and contemporary issues.
Practical Learning: Interactive content focused on real-world applications.
Register now for sessions on January 14 & 16.
Energy Conservation and Management Workshop for South Okanagan Hotels and Businesses
Join the RDOS, FortisBC, and the City of Penticton on November 15th for free a half-day interactive workshop to share and learn about energy conservation, management initiatives, various incentives, and other project supports available for hotels and businesses in the South Okanagan.
The upcoming workshop will address the following key topics:
FortisBC Small Business Program
Case Study 1.1: Energy Monitoring and Management at Tin Whistle
Case Study 1.2: Analyzing Monthly Electricity Bills
City of Penticton – Energy Programs
FortisBC rebate and incentive programs
Case Study 2: Retrofitting Building
Case Study 3: Heat Pumps
Case Study 4: Lighting Retrofits
The workshop will be held in person at the Penticton Lakeside Resort on November 15th from 9:00 -13:00 with breakfast included.
Register Today for this Workshop.
BCTCRI: Project One Fall Application Intake is Now Open
Project One of the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI)– Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses, provides free support to BC-based tourism businesses looking to include sustainability measures into their operations, strategy, and storytelling.
Applicants are connected with a program advisor who will work one-on-one with businesses to help them develop a customized plan to improve sustainability within their operations.
The Fall 2024 intake is now open and accepting applications on a first-come, first-served basis.
Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® Workshop
Registration is now open for the Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples® workshop.
In an effort to support community-based needs within the industry Destination BC (DBC) is running two free virtual training sessions titled “Working Effectively with Indigenous Peoples®” these session aims to deepen Indigenous awareness and strengthen community connections.
These workshops will help attendees build:
Indigenous Awareness
&
Indigenous Relations
Registration is now open for the fall sessions running on October 21, 2024, and December 5, 2024.
OUT for Business (OFB) Mentorship Program
OUT For Business (OFB) is Canada's only national mentorship program for 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs, offering support through one-on-one and group mentoring sessions.
The program connects experienced business leaders with the next generation of 2SLGBTQI+ entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, fostering knowledge exchange and network building.
Applications are now open for the 2024/2025 cohort. This 10-month program encourages participation from individuals with intersecting identities.
For more information about OFB, contact Idara Effiom, Mentorship Manager, at idara.effiom@cglcc.ca.
Destination BC Tourism Digital Academy Registration Opens
Destination BC has once again launched the Tourism Digital Academy.
Destination BC has once again launched the Tourism Digital Academy. The Tourism Digital Academy is a free, 8-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses who are interested in building their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level.
Designed for business owners or their marketing team members, this comprehensive program is focused on providing practical, actionable guidance to complete your digital marketing plan. From setting your goals, to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, analytics and more – you’ll leave the program with the confidence and knowledge to put that plan into action.
Intake for October 8, 2024 - November 27, 2024 is now open!
Intake for October 15, 2024 - December 4, 2024 is now open!
Learn more and Register for this program by visiting Destinationbc.ca/Learning-Centre.