Service Provider: Everything Podcasts

Everything Podcasts, part of Pattison Media, is a full-service podcast production company. They help brands evolve and expand their media strategy into the audio space with a custom podcast series.

Everything Podcasts works with brands, organizations, and companies to create powerful content creative, promotional support, production services, marketing, sales representation, research, and access to the fastest-growing media platform in the world, podcasting.

The most fundamental challenge brands face in the “attention economy” is: how do you capture people’s attention? By telling stories. 93% of Podcast listeners listen to all or most of each episode!

Learn more →

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B.C. Vaccine Card Extended, Youth Tournaments to Resume

In a press conference January 25, 2022, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) announced that proof of full vaccination will continue to be required to access some events, services, and businesses in B.C. The requirement is in place until June 30, 2022. It applies to all people born in 2010 or earlier (12+).

The vaccine card will be reviewed regularly and stopped sooner if the situation changes.

Sport tournaments for children and youth will resume effective Feb. 1, 2022. The prohibition on adult tournaments will continue to be in effect.

Both amendments will be reflected in the Public Health Order covering Gatherings and Events.

Learn More →

View Proof of Vaccination Requirements →

World Travel Awards™ Call for Travel Excellence

World Travel Awards is pleased to announce its annual "call for entries" for inclusion in the most prestigious awards and recognition initiative in travel and tourism.

In the quest to identify and reward excellence, World Travel Awards invites brands that are pushing the boundaries of industry excellence to participate in the annual programme.

Each country's very best brands and products are invited to submit their applications to participate and stand a chance to win the ultimate industry accolade. Awards will be given to nominees by country, continent, and, finally, world best.

The deadline to apply is March 27, 2022. Voting opens on 4th April, 2022 when all of the short-listed nominees for Canada 2022 will be announced.

Learn More & Register →

Award Categories

• Leading Airline

• Leading Airline Brand

• Leading Airline Lounge

• Leading Airport

• Leading Airport Hotel

• Leading Airport Lounge

• Leading Beach Destination

• Leading Beach Hotel

• Leading Beach Resort

• Leading Boutique Hotel

• Leading Business Hotel

• Leading Business Travel Destination

• Leading Car Rental Company

• Leading Casino Resort

• Leading Chauffeur Company

• Leading City Break Destination

• Leading City Destination

• Leading Conference Hotel

• Leading Cruise Line

• Leading Cruise Port

• Leading Destination

• Leading Exclusive Retreat

• Leading Family Resort

• Leading Honeymoon Destination

• Leading Hotel

• Leading Hotel Brand

• Leading Hotel Residences

• Leading Hotel Suite

• Leading Inflight Magazine

• Leading Lifestyle Hotel

• Leading Low-Cost Airline

• Leading Luxury Car Rental Company

• Leading Luxury Hotel

• Leading Luxury Train

• Leading Meetings & Conference Centre

• Leading Meetings & Conference Destination

• Leading New Hotel

• Leading New Resort

• Leading Private Jet Charter

• Leading Resort

• Leading River Cruise Company

• Leading Serviced Apartments

• Leading Sports Tourism Destination

• Leading Theme Park Resort

• Leading Tour Operator

• Leading Tourist Attraction

• Leading Tourist Board

• Leading Travel Agency

• Leading Travel Management Company

• Leading Wedding Hotel

• Most Romantic Resort

• Responsible Tourism

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YLW Receives Millions in Federal Funding for Infrastructure Projects & Operations

Kelowna International Airport is receiving over $18 million in funding for key infrastructure projects and operational support from Transport Canada’s Airport Critical Infrastructure Program, including:

• Combined Operations Building

• Airport Terminal Building Roof Replacement

• Airport Biosecurity Infrastructure

• Runway End Safety Area

• Airfield Lighting and Support Infrastructure

Along with the announcement for the critical infrastructure projects, the Government of Canada is also providing more than $3 million from Transport Canada’s Airport Relief Fund. This will provide funding to maintain continued airport operations and essential air services for residents and workers in Kelowna and surrounding communities.

Learn More →

Welcome to Klippers Organic Acres New Biosphere Committed Company

Klippers Organics Acres

At Klippers Organics Acres, they believe that sustainable, healthy, and delicious food is essential. They are a Certified Organic farm located in the heart of the Okanagan in the beautiful Similkameen Valley.

They joined the Biosphere Commitment Program because Klippers Organics Acres aligns with what the program is all about. They have been working on similar projects since their start of farming over 30 years ago.

Sustainability means to Klippers Organics Acres that they leave the land better than how they found it. They look at their entire footprint of the farm, the guest suites, restaurant, cidery, and Café/Marketplace and work within all of these areas to be sustainable. Klippers Organics Acres uses the fruit and vegetables from the farm to supply the restaurant, cidery, and café. Using sustainable energy sources where applicable and any food waste that does come from the restaurant or café then goes back to the farm and is turned into compost.

Sustainability is everything for Klippers Organic Acres. First they are organic farmers and believe in leaving the soil better then how they found, building the organic matter up year after year. They were also one of the first to start harvesting the sun with a solar hot water system, then used geothermal energy for heating and cooling their house. They successfully put 80 solar panels on poles for energy consumption and they plan to continue to expand in that direction.

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B.C. COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant | Apply by February 28, 2022

The Province of B.C. has introduced the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant aimed at assisting B.C. businesses that were mandated to temporarily shut down through public health orders because of the surge in COVID-19 cases under the December 22, 2021 and/or January 18, 2022 Provincial Health Officer orders.

The Province extended the COVID-19 Closure Relief Grant and doubled supports for eligible businesses that have been ordered to remain temporarily closed through public health measures until February 16, 2022.

Businesses ordered fully closed include:

1. gyms, fitness and adult dance centres

2. bars, lounges and nightclubs

3. event venues that can no longer hold events

The fund will provide relief grants of between $1,000 and $10,000 to help affected businesses alleviate some financial pressures and help with expenses including rent, employee wages, insurance, maintenance, and utilities.

The funding amount for each business is based how many B.C. employees or contracted staff they had at the time of closure.

This $10-million provincial program complements existing federal government programs, including the recently expanded Local Lockdown Program and the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit.

Apply by February 28, 2022.

Businesses can email questions to: covid@smallbusinessbc.ca

Learn More & Apply →

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Community Outreach Incentive Program (COIP) Funding Helps Promote Electric Vehicle Uptake In B.C.

Community groups and local governments throughout the province can receive funding through the Community Outreach Incentive Program (COIP) to educate and encourage people to switch to electric vehicles (EVs).

The Province is providing $118,000 through COIP under a partnership with the Emotive outreach and awareness campaign to support B.C. communities, organizations and local governments delivering local and regional EV-awareness campaigns that include video production, EV events and demonstrations.

This year, COIP funding was also provided to the Clean Transportation Targets and Planning (CTTP) pilot that supports target setting, policy planning and implementation to encourage the transition to EVs as well as other forms of transportation, such as walking, cycling and public transit.

“More people than ever before are discovering the benefits of switching to electric vehicles in communities across the province,” said George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. “With CleanBC, our government is working hard to support people with affordable and clean transportation options that work for them.”

The COIP and CTTP pilot align with the goals and targets in the Province’s recently released CleanBC Roadmap to 2030, which details a range of expanded actions to accelerate the transition to a net-zero future and achieve B.C.’s legislated greenhouse gas emissions targets. These actions include strengthening the Zero-Emissions Vehicles (ZEV) Act to require 26% of light-duty vehicle sales to be ZEV by 2026, 90% by 2030 and 100% by 2035, which is five years ahead of the original target.

Quick Facts:

• British Columbia is leading the country in transitioning to EVs with more than 60,000 light-duty EVs on the road.

• British Columbia was the first place in the world to have a 100% zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) law and is leading North America in uptake rates of EVs at nearly 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales in 2020.

• The Community Outreach Incentive Program is funded by the Province of B.C. and is administered by Plug In BC, a program of the Fraser Basin Council Society.

• Emotive is a B.C.-wide outreach and awareness campaign that encourages the accelerated adoption of EVs in B.C.

• The Roadmap to 2030 also includes a focus on efficiency-first transportation actions, including committing to increasing the share of trips made by walking, cycling and transit, including commuting for work and personal activities, to 30% by 2030, 40% by 2040 and 50% by 2050, as well as a 25% reduction in vehicle kilometres travelled by 2030 (from 2020 levels).

2021 Sustainable Project of The Year Award Winner - Monte Creek Winery

Monte Creek Winery was selected as the 2021 Sustainable Project of the Year Award Winner!

This summer, Monte Creek Winery ran a fundraising and awareness campaign around BC badgers. The species is red listed endangered in BC and the winery learned that the leading cause of their death is highway kills on HWY 1 between Kamloops and Prtichard, the stretch of highway the borders part of the winery's property. With fewer than 350 badgers left in BC, Monte Creek Winery took action with realizing their responsibility to advocate for BC badgers. The winery sold post cards, badges, and accepted donations to support the BC Badger Society and the BC Wildlife Park. They also posted content on social media and their website to bring awareness to the need for conservation.

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Endangered Badger Conservation Fundraiser Highlights

• Two commissioned abstract paintings created by BC Wildlife Park’s resident BC badger Bloom, were auctioned off

• All proceeds raised from the postcard and button sales were donated to Badgers in BC, a badger conservation group

• Additional donations and partial proceeds were donated to Bloom’s upkeep

• Fundraiser Number Breakdown

  • The total fundraised amount was $905.50

  • The two paintings were sold for a total of $730.00

  • 25 donations were made

  • 75 buttons were sold

  • 15 postcards were sold

“Sustainability is one of the core values at Monte Creek Winery. The team believes in and practices regenerative agriculture, a practice that includes the rehabilitation and conservation of the ecosystem. BC badger conservation is important to us at Monte Creek Winery as the stretch of Highway 1 outside of our winery between Lafarge and Pritchard is reportedly the worst in the province for badger mortality. Since we found out, we have been actively working towards reducing badger mortality rates. Our team was pleasantly surprised with the response and the support for the campaign. We know there is a long way to go to stabilize the badger population, but we are looking forward to continuing campaigns in the future and also working closely with the BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure as well as the Manager of the Wildlife Program to make badger travel safer.”

-Ashley Demedeiros

Photo: Whiskey & Wine

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Differentiate Your Hotel with Google’s Eco-labels

When being a tourist it is important to ensure that your actions are as respectful as possible, not only to the environment, but also the local population of the destination and its cultural and heritages resources.

At Biosphere they are aware that through their Biosphere Sustainable Lifestyle methodology, they manage to involve all stakeholders with a sustainable lifestyle; called the Biosphere circle, where the commitment of destinations to sustainability is also assumed by their companies and clients, tourists, and citizens.

Google Ecolabels

Google’s new functionality ‘eco-labels’ is a tool that many are already talking about, hotels can share information about their good practices, including the option to publicize the environmental and ecological seals they hold. Such as Green Key or ISO 14001, sustainability labels such as Earth Check, as well as certifications that accredit business alignment with the sustainability of the United Nations (Agenda 2030). With Biosphere being the only sustainability certification tool capable of addressing the 17 SDGs in a comprehensive manner.

This is a great opportunity to add to your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business), the “Google Travel” section. The Google ecolabels are currently only available to hotels. Those that have been recognized for their environmental and sustainable efforts will include the green label "Eco-certified" in their profile, accompanied by a leaf icon. Thus, by clicking on this label visitors will access all the information about the environmental and sustainable efforts that the hotel has included in its profile.

Steps to activate your eco-label on your Google profile:

In order to activate this icon on your profile, you must have a badge / certification that is recognised by Google. If you already have an accreditation from one of these certifiers, log in to Google and start reporting all the information about your sustainability efforts.

1. Go to your Google Business Profile

2. Select the "Information" tab and go to the "Hotel Attributes" field

3. Inside you will find the "Sustainability and Eco-certifications" section where you can communicate all your good practices.

Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers Meeting to Plan Recovery

The annual Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers meeting (CCTM) was held on January 20, 2022 to provide a forum for federal, provincial, and territorial tourism ministers to agree on common objectives to pursue. They also reaffirmed the need for continued collaboration and support for the sector through the pandemic and towards recovery.

Throughout the meeting, the ministers discussed the current context and the main challenges affecting the recovery of the tourism sector, both in the short and long term, including uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of the pandemic, the level of tourism demand, workforce challenges, and destination development.

Ministers also agreed to establish a collaborative work plan consisting of three key elements in short order:

1. collaborating to address the challenges posed by workforce shortages;

2. addressing access to destinations; and

3. promoting economic growth for the entire tourism sector, specifically sustainable tourism, events, and Indigenous experiences.

Ministers will review progress on this work plan throughout 2022.

Congratulations to the Hon. Melanie Mark on being appointed as co-chair of the committee, along with federal Tourism Minister Randy Boissonnault.

“Tourism is vital to our country, communities, economy, and the people whose livelihoods depend on its continued success. We recognize the ongoing challenges faced by the tourism sector and are committed to our collective recovery and future growth by working and paddling together. I am honoured to serve in my new role as co-chair of the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers, so we can champion tourism recovery in every postal code in our country.”

-Melanie Mark, British Columbia Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

View News Release →

New Order Requires Employers to Re-Activate COVID-19 Safety Plans | Order Now Available

On January 7, 2022, B.C.’s provincial health officer verbally announced an order requiring employers to re-activate their COVID-19 safety plans. This new order replaces the previous requirement for employers to have communicable disease prevention plans and does not have an expiration date.

View Official Order →

The order requires COVID-19 Safety Plans to incorporate some expanded and new controls, including:

• Indoor common area protocols to prevent workers from congregating

  • face coverings used in indoor common areas

  • lunch area/break room protocols

• Policies to support workers who have symptoms of a communicable disease

  • to avoid the workplace

  • when symptoms present in the workplace

  • work from home options

  • self-isolation and monitoring

• Measures to promote hand hygiene

  • handwashing and sanitizing

• Measures to keep the workplace environment safe

  • cleaning and sanitizing

  • ventilation and air circulation

• Measures to support workers receiving vaccinations for COVID-19

Your new and improved COVID-19 Safety Plan must be communicated and maintained by:

• Posting a copy of the COVID-19 safety plan on your website for staff, visitors, and the public to view.

• Providing a copy of the COVID-19 safety plan to a health officer or WorkSafeBC officer upon request.

• Reviewing and updating the plan periodically to ensure adequate prevention measures are being followed, according to WorkSafeBC requirements and the current COVID-19 public health situation.

go2HR’s COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Service and Resources

go2HR is offering a complimentary COVID-19 Safety Plan Review Service to B.C.’s tourism and hospitality employers.

Register for Safety Plan Review →

If you have questions about these COVID-19 control measures or how to update your COVID-19 safety plan, health and safety experts are available to assist. Contact go2HR at 604-633-9787 or  safety@go2hr.ca.

Additional Resources

For other templates, signage, guidelines, and business support visit:

• WorkSafeBC Resources →

• Industry Specific Plan Information →

• go2HR Resources →

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Vancouver Wine Consumers Planning Return to the Okanagan in 2022

Quini captures consumer opinion about important product concerns or industry issues. In a wine tasting in Vancouver this past December, Quini gauged consumer interest in visiting the Okanagan Valley in 2022, drinker general opinion of Okanagan wines, and B.C. wine brand awareness and recall.

It seems like the majority of consumers who go wine tasting in the Okanagan leave with a positive impression and most will also plan to return at some point.

View Report →

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Supports Expanded for Flood-affected Residents

People receiving Emergency Support Services due to this fall’s flooding will receive personalized supports delivered by the Canadian Red Cross, the provincial government announced.

Starting on Feb. 1 the federal and provincial governments will provide customized recovery support that includes interim housing and basic needs assistance. A Red Cross case manager will help households access assistance from existing government programs and develop a plan for recovery that can access additional funds to repair or rebuild their primary residences or to relocate to a new community.

The Red Cross is reaching out to those currently receiving Emergency Support Services and those who have indicated they would like to discuss recovery supports.

View Announcement →

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Submit a In Memoriam Tribute for BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference by Feb 11, 2022

Over recent years, many have experienced the pain that comes with loss as we've been forced to say goodbye to some of our most beloved colleagues and industry friends. The absence has been felt across our sector, and due to restrictions on gatherings and events caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us have not been able to celebrate their lives and achievements as we once would have.

This year's BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference will be paying respects through an "In Memoriam" slideshow tribute that honours all of those who have passed since we last met in person. We need your help to ensure that each of our industry friends are included.

How to Submit:

Please send direct submissions to info@bctourismandhospitalityconference.com by Friday, February 11.

In your submissions, please detail the individual's:

1. First and last name

2. Title and company from their latest role

3. An image or headshot

Shuswap and Kelowna Listed in Leading Places: The 100 Most Loved Travel Destinations Around the World

The Tourism Sentiment Index has released a report, Leading Places: The 100 Most Loved Destinations Around the World for 2021.

For the first time ever, destinations around the world have been ranked to uncover those that are truly most loved, according to the Tourism Sentiment Score. To produce the rankings, Tourism Sentiment Index conducted a study of a massive volume of online data – more than 1.6 billion online conversations and content pieces publicly available about 21,330 global destinations.

In the Thompson Okanagan, the following destinations were in the Top 100:

• 96. Kelowna

• 99. Shuswap

Congratulations to Kelowna and the Shuswap for earning some of the world's most positive feedback and content in 2021.

View Rankings →

Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Announces Glenn Mandziuk as new CEO – Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

Glenn Mandziuk, former President and CEO of the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), has been announced as the new CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance based in London, England.

“Building a sustainable and responsible tourism destination was foundational to the work undertaken by Glenn during his tenure at TOTA and this new role is in perfect alignment for his vision and passion in this area,” said Michael J. Ballingall, TOTA Board Chair. "On behalf of the board and our team at TOTA, we extend our congratulations to Glenn on this new role and wish him every success going forward."

About Sustainable Hospitality Alliance

The organization was originally founded in 1992 as the International Hotels Environment Initiative and part of the Prince of Wales Charities group with His Royal Highness as President.

Following a rapid period of growth, the organization became an independent charity and united under the name Sustainable Hospitality Alliance in 2020.

Members are made up of representatives from the global hotel industry, including 35,000 properties and 14 leading hotel companies, representing 30% of the world's hotel rooms or approximately 5.5 million rooms.

Addressing issues related to human rights, youth employment, climate action, and water stewardship, the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance is taking collective action and responsibility on behalf of the tourism industry to ensure destinations and communities are supported now and into the future.

View Announcement →

Fuelling 2050: The Road Forward

The Conference Board of Canada has released an Impact Paper, Fuelling 2050: The Road Forward, about Canada’s aspirations for net-zero GHG emissions and an achievable pathway for the transportation sector.

Download Report →

Document Highlights

1. Getting to net zero requires decoupling emissions from economic growth and the energy use it embodies. For the transportation sector, this challenge is daunting.

2. Canada’s transportation sector accounts for about 29 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions, half of which come from passenger cars and other light-duty vehicles.

3. By 2050, Canada’s transportation energy mix will still be dominated by oil and gas, but their share will drop by about a third from today’s 90 per cent. The magnitude of that drop will depend on new liquid fuels, gas, and electricity technologies, and consumer behaviour changes.

4. This transition goes beyond switching to electric. It means reimagining urban spaces, increasing mobility options, supporting public transit, and investing in urban planning.

5. An achievable pathway should be viewed through a sustainability lens—including realistic costing of impacts; support for Canadians’ social fabric and standard of living; and climate change objectives that are economically and scientifically sound.

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Kelowna Mill Site Community Engagement

Over the past two years, Tolko has been engaged in the safe and orderly decommissioning work for the Kelowna Mill Site and, more recently, joined in preliminary discussions with the City of Kelowna regarding redevelopment of the property and the opportunity to work with the community to create the vision and plan that will guide that process.

The City of Kelowna is launching a public process for the North End Plan. At the same time, the Mill Site Planning Team will undertake a separate community planning process to create the Mill Site Redevelopment Plan. This process will be integrated with the community’s vision and aspirations for the North End.

Learn More →

Get Involved

Redevelopment of the Kelowna Mill Site area presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transition a large, industrial property to a new, master-planned, destination waterfront neighbourhood adjacent to the downtown core. The site could also benefit the local tourism industry.

The planning team is looking for community input to inspire the vision and objectives for the conceptual design of the site. The community is invited to contribute to crafting a vision for this new neighbourhood an interactive virtual workshop to help us envision the mill site.

There are currently three workshop dates to choose from: 

1. Saturday, February 5, 10am-12pm

2. Tuesday, February 8, 5:30pm-7:30pm

3. Thursday, February 10, 10am-12pm

Register →

Can't make any of those times? There will be many more opportunities to engage throughout the Mill Site Area Redevelopment Plan process. 

Subscribe to Updates →

Nominate a Business for Small Business BC Awards | Closes Feb 28, 2022

The annual Small Business BC Awards present an opportunity to showcase owners of small businesses and validate their efforts, highlighting the impact they make in our lives.

Nominations and voting for the 2022 SBBC Awards are open until February 28, 2022.

There are two categories this year:

• The Business Impact Award; goes to the business owner(s) that are truly making a difference. - Awarded to the Top 3

• Premier’s People’s Choice Award; presented to a BC-based small business that can demonstrate they have the unwavering and loyal support of their community. - One winner

Note: Winners and finalists split a prize pool of $15,000. Taking part is easy - nominate your business, or a business you love for a Small Business BC Award today!

Learn More & Nominate →

DBC Messaging Guidance for B.C. Tourism Industry | Updated January 18, 2022

Destination BC has updated the Messaging Guidance for B.C. Tourism Industry: How to Travel in B.C. this Winter.

The document provides key messaging, information and infographics, and resources for B.C.’s tourism industry as it relates to travel to and within B.C. this Winter. Topics include travel routes, trip planning, transportation, visitor servicing, health protocols, entry requirements, and proof of vaccination requirements for various activities and businesses. The document will be updated as needed, as the situation evolves.