News & Resources

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

 
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WORTH Seeking Candidates for 2024 Board of Directors by June 30

WORTH is seeking candidates for its 2024 Board of Directors, to help advance their vision to develop a community of confident, connected women who accelerate their leadership ambitions. Learn more and apply by June 30.

 

WORTH is seeking candidates for its 2024 Board of Directors, to help advance their vision to develop a community of confident, connected women who accelerate their leadership ambitions. 

This year, the Board of Directors has a minimum of three volunteer director positions to be filled. Board terms are two years long and the commitment is about eight hours per month with quarterly board meetings.

WORTH represents all individuals who identify as female and encourage men to join in the efforts. They welcome trans, cis, genderqueer, and non-binary people.

Interested candidates can contact WORTH’s Nominating Committee via email at nominees@worthassociation.com no later than 5:00pm PT on June 30, with a 200-250 word bio statement outlining their pertinent expertise and interest in joining the WORTH Board of Directors.

Learn more about the 2024 Board of Directors opportunity and requirements

 
 
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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.

– 30 –


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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Online Auction Open Until June 15 In Support of WORTH Mentorship Program

The Women of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Association online auction is now LIVE, until June 15. Funds raised from this auction will support WORTH’s Mentorship Program, operating costs and educational programming for our community.

Learn More & Place Bids →

Interested in being a future donor to WORTH’s Fall auction? Email info@worthassociation.com.

 

WORTH Association is excited to announce their first ever online auction is now LIVE! Funds raised from this auction will support WORTH’s Mentorship Program, operating costs and educational programming for our community.

The Auction runs until midnight on June 15.

Learn More & Place Bids →

Interested in being a future donor to WORTH’s Fall auction? Email info@worthassociation.com.

 
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Gender Equity Tourism Business Audit from WORTH Association

The Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality (WORTH) Association has released a Gender Equity Audit for the workplace.

The audit was developed by WORTH, based on a workshop in November 2021 with 50 industry professionals, where CapU students, The Sociable Scientist, and WORTH Board of Directors led participants through a series of discussions on inclusion, rewards, advancement, retention, flexibility and fair treatment.

In the first study of its kind in BC, the organizations determined recommendations and best practices on how to collectively support the empowerment of women in the tourism industry.

WORTH Association and TOTA strongly encourage organizations to perform this self-audit to understand how to retain and develop women of recreation, tourism, and hospitality.

Copy Spreadsheet Audit →

Download PDF Audit →

Get Involved →

 

The Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality (WORTH) Association has released a Gender Equity Audit for the workplace.

The audit was developed by WORTH, based on a workshop in November 2021 with 50 industry professionals, where CapU students, The Sociable Scientist, and WORTH Board of Directors led participants through a series of discussions on inclusion, rewards, advancement, retention, flexibility and fair treatment.

In the first study of its kind in BC, the organizations determined recommendations and best practices on how to collectively support the empowerment of women in the tourism industry.

WORTH Association and TOTA strongly encourage organizations to perform this self-audit to understand how to retain and develop women of recreation, tourism, and hospitality.

Copy Spreadsheet Audit →

Download PDF Audit →

Get Involved →


 
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Get Involved with the Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality (WORTH) Association

The Women of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Association is British Columbia's first organization committed to advancing women in the recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries. WORTH offers free (or low-cost) networking and educational events, as well as skills training, mentorship programmes, and leadership resources, to help women stay focused on their career goals.

This year, becoming a member of WORTH is free, and you'll be able to stay connected and supported through newsletters, events, and resources.

Learn More →

Become a Member →

Register as a Volunteer →

Donate to Scholarship Fund →

 

The Women of Recreation, Tourism, and Hospitality (WORTH) Association is British Columbia's first organization committed to advancing women in the recreation, tourism, and hospitality industries. WORTH offers free (or low-cost) networking and educational events, as well as skills training, mentorship programmes, and leadership resources, to help women stay focused on their career goals.

This year, becoming a member of WORTH is free, and you'll be able to stay connected and supported through newsletters, events, and resources.

Learn More →

Become a Member →

Register as a Volunteer →

Donate to Scholarship Fund →

 
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Resource Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Resource Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

WORTH Mentorship Program | Register by January 31

The WORTH (Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality) Mentorship Program matches mentees with an experienced leader as a mentor for a 6-month period between February and July, 2022.

Mentors and mentees both benefit from improved communication skills, growing their personal network, increased industry & job satisfaction, and the opportunity to learn from someone else. In this program they will also leverage peer-mentoring for all registered in the various events and workshops to further grow your network. In addition to the mentorship, the program includes 2-3 networking events and 2-3 development workshops.

Learn More & Register →

 

The WORTH (Women of Recreation, Tourism & Hospitality) Mentorship Program matches mentees with an experienced leader as a mentor for a 6-month period between February and July, 2022.

Mentors and mentees both benefit from improved communication skills, growing their personal network, increased industry & job satisfaction, and the opportunity to learn from someone else. In this program they will also leverage peer-mentoring for all registered in the various events and workshops to further grow your network.

In addition to the mentorship, the program includes 2-3 networking events and 2-3 development workshops.

Registration closes January 31, 2022

Learn More & Register →


 
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