Rogers Youth Grants: Supporting Education and Workforce Development

Rogers Communications has announced the 2025 call for applications for their Youth Grants, supporting organizations delivering educational and employment programs to underserved youth.

Applications open on March 24, 2025, for grants of $10,000 or $25,000. This initiative prioritizes programs focused on mentorship, academic training, and career readiness to empower youth ages 12-29. For more details, visit their website.

ORCBC Grants & Funding Page

ORCBC has organized a webpage to help recreation organizations stay on top of opportunities to access funding for their recreation initiatives.

A new directory of fundraising sources is now available to help recreation organizations access funding for outdoor recreation initiatives, accessibility programs, trail maintenance, supply purchases, and professional development for volunteer crews.

Explore the resources at the bottom of the page, including 'Tips for Quality Grant Applications in Outdoor Recreation' and a grant tracking template.

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.

Vernon Youth Job Opportunity with Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) - Applications Closing Soon

There are some exciting youth climate action job opportunities coming to Vernon this summer! Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) is hiring 5 youth (aged 17-30) to mobilize community climate action in the Vernon area. One Program Lead, one Program Coordinator, and three Community Climate Action Mobilizer positions are available.
 
The following positions are now open for application. Click the links below to access the job postings:

• Program Lead, Vernon (deadline to apply: March 6)

• Program Coordinator, Vernon (deadline to apply: March 6)

• Community Climate Action Mobilizer, Vernon (deadline to apply: April 6)

Tariff Resources from the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission has released tariff resources, including a direct communication line for businesses with tariff questions.

This webpage will help businesses stay informed and connect with Business Development Officers.

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.

The Tourism Data Collective Releases the Traveller Segmentation Program

The Canadian Tourism Data Collective (CTDC) has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which will provide Canada’s tourism industry with visitor insights, behaviours, and preferences.

This program will offer:

• In-depth visitor profiles

• Segement identification tools

• Training resources

Tourism Digital Academy Spring Intake is Now Open

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.

Destination British Columbia’s Tourism Industry Dashboard

The 2024 data is now available on the Destination BC Tourism Industry Dashboard, which includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, provincial room revenue, regional occupancy rates, and more.

View Dashboard →

Tourism Industry Association of BC One-Minute Monitor: Impact of Cross-border Tariffs on Your Business

The Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) is running a one-minute monitor regarding the impact of impending cross-border tariffs on businesses. This short survey will help them better understand businesses’ views on pressing issues and help inform policy development and prioritize advocacy activities.

Learn More About Community Futures BC with CF Boundary!

Community Futures British Columbia (CFBC) is celebrating 40 years in British Columbia. Check out the latest feature of Community Futures Boundary with General Manager, Jennifer Wetmore.

Free Beverage Industry Training Program - Tier 2

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

Small Business and Tourism Operator Preparedness Social Media Package

The Government of British Columbia has created a toolkit for organizations and associations that support small businesses and tourism operators, including Indigenous and local governments, that can be used to encourage followers to prepare for emergencies.

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.

Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC is Accepting Applications

The Outdoor Recreation Fund of BC supports grants that help shape meaningful outdoor recreation and nature-based activities in British Columbia.

The second intake of this fund opens on January 20, 2025. Interested applicants can check out previous grant recipients, or apply directly by February 20, 2025.

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.

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.

Applications for BCTCRI Micro-Grant Program Open Until January 28

Applications for the BCTCRI Project 2 are open until January 28, 2025.

Eligible businesses can apply for funding up to $15,000 to build upon or implement a climate resiliency plan.

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. 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:

Shuswap BIT Program Media Kit

North Okanagan BIT Program Media Kit

Destination Canada Traveller Segmentation Program

Destination Canada has released the Traveller Segmentation Program, which allows stakeholders to discover visitor behaviors and preferences to see what motivates, inspires, and drives travellers. This tool will enable more meaningful, targeted, and impactful marketing and destination management strategies.

Explore all the segmentation tools available in the new program.