Job Opportunity: TOTA Communications Coordinator (Summer Intern Program) | Apply by June 17

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is seeking to hire a Communications Coordinator for a summer internship program. The Communications Coordinator will work with the Corporate Communications Specialist to support the Thompson Okanagan tourism industry communications by creating content for news updates, email newsletters, webpages, and social media content.

The position is based on a Canada Summer Jobs Grant and is limited to an 8-12 week internship, with the option to work remotely full-time or part-time from the TOTA office in Kelowna. The position also includes time as a Visitor Counsellor at the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Inspiration Centre located above Peachland on the Coquihalla Connector.

Candidates must be able to travel to the TOTA office, team events, and Tourism Inspiration Centre as needed.

Please send cover letter and resume to HR@TOTABC.com by June 17.

Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Reminder: Green Wine Future Virtual Conference, May 23-26

Green Wine Future Virtual Conference

May 23 - 26

North America Segment: Monday, May 23 | 2:00 - 6:30pm PT

Register with TOTA Discount Code

Registration for one day of the conference is $47 USD. Through TOTA’s partnership, Thompson Okanagan stakeholders get a 55% discount by using the code TOTA55.

Register →

About Green Wine Future

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) is taking part in the upcoming virtual Green Wine Future Conference from May 23 to May 26. The event is the most ambitious environmental conference ever organized for the global wine community and will launch as a fully online gathering.

The Green Wine Future Conference will address critical topics of sustainability, climate crisis, biodiversity, wine tourism, regenerative agriculture, carbon amelioration, hydric resources, energy efficiency and create truly green business opportunities to respond to current world conditions. Speakers will present information through video footage, documentaries, and live broadcasts from vineyards and wineries.

TOTA is supported by several provincial and regional funding partners, including Destination British Columbia and Wine Growers British Columbia; and host wineries who will showcase the Thompson Okanagan wine region: Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, CedarCreek Estate Winery, and Monte Creek Winery. Other Thompson Okanagan wineries are invited to participate and represent the Thompson Okanagan wine region by hosting a Green Wine Future Virtual Trade Booth.

Thompson Okanagan Wine for the Planet Documentary

The conference includes the premiere of the Wine for the Planet docuseries, including a short documentary about the Thompson Okanagan wine region unveiled on May 23. The docuseries shows the support of the wine industry towards the most sensitive parts of the planet such as ice caps and glaciers, rainforest, marine environments, and areas sensitive to flooding and water scarcity.

Register →

Watch Thompson Okanagan Press Conference Recording from April 20

TOTA and Wine for the Planet hosted a Special Press Event at the BC Wine Information Centre in Penticton on April 20.

Green Wine Future founder, Pancho Campo, shared his work around the world and offered insights of what to expect at this year's Green Wine Future Conference. Several industry leaders and enjoy a small sampling of some of the area's various wine varietals.

Watch Recording →

Fundraiser for Lytton by Fort Berens Estate Winery

Fort Berens Estate Winery is holding a fundraising campaign from June 3 to 12, 2022, with a goal to raise $125,000 for a dedicated legacy building project for the community of Lytton after a wildfire swept through the town on June 30, 2021.

To raise funds, Fort Berens is selling 120 cases of Special Edition "Lytton Strong” Pinot Gris. In addition, there will be a silent auction with unique and experiential items, a 50/50 raffle, and the opportunity to donate directly.

Fort Berens is currently seeking corporate sponsorships, donations for the silent auction, and volunteers to help with the fundraising campaign.

To get involved, email LyttonStrong@fortberens.ca.

Get a Free Listing on Canada's Garden Route & Directory

Destination Canada is a sponsor of the Year of the Garden 2022, which encourages the public to get out, explore, and enjoy Canada’s beautiful gardens and garden experiences again.

The Canadian Garden Council invites Canadians to connect with plants and communities by discovering new experiences and inspirations offered by garden destinations.

A Canadian Garden Route digital marketing and social media campaign stretching from June through August will encourage Canadians to travel.

Tourism and hospitality businesses that embrace gardens as part of their venue or thematically in service offerings, can register their business for free on the Live the Garden Life Directory.

• To be featured on Canada’s Garden Route, please contact: partnerships@GardenCouncil.ca for details.

• Enhance your social media activity by tagging posts with: #YearOfTheGarden #LivetheGardenLife 

View Website →

View Garden Route Directory →

Showcase Your Travel Package on Destination Canada Portal

Last year, Destination Canada launched a travel packages portal, where tour operators can upload travel packages to the Destination Canada consumer website.

The portal provides tour operators access to an engaged audience, which has resulted in conversions and bookings to destinations across the country. Since its launch in June 2021, the website has received more than 2.6M page views and generated over 230k leads to tour operators. Today, there is now a portal available for the US market.

If you have a travel package that you would like to share with domestic and US travellers, contact traveltrade@destinationcanada.com.

View Travel Package Listings →

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Nominate a Company for TIAC Canadian Tourism Awards 2022 | Submissions Close July 31

Nominate a deserving business, organization, or individual for the Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership, and innovation in Canada's tourism industry and to reward those people, places, organizations, and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada. The Awards have become the standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the Nation's best tourism products, services, and experiences.

With nine award categories, this year’s nomination portal is officially open and the awards will be presented on November 23 at the Westin Ottawa.

Categories include:

1. Indigenous Tourism Award

2. Sustainable Tourism Award

3. Innovator of the Year Award

4. Business of the Year Award

5. Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award

6. Tourism Employee of the Year

7. Tourism Employer of the Year

8. Travel Media Award

9. Business Event Award

Learn More →

Submit Nomination →

Wines of BC Quarterly Report - Jan - March 2022

Wines of British Columbia has just released its Q4 report, which is also a summary of the fiscal year for the organization.

The 21 page report outlines the strategic goals, objectives, and results of three key areas of concentration from April 2021 through to March 2022.

View Report →

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Discover Naramata Brand Launches "Small Town, Big Mood"

Discover Naramata launched a new brand that captures the magic of the winding road, rolling vineyards, and unique personality of Naramata.

As explained, "Naramata — Bench and Village — is a unicorn of a place, deserving of a destination marketing organization that reflects all the qualities that make it so special".

Over the last two years, a team of local industry veterans in tourism, hospitality, food, wine, and retail committed to making Discover Naramata more relevant, effective, and useful for the community.

Through research and consultation with local business owners, residents, employees, and visitors, a broad range of perspectives was considered. This fresh look launched on May 11 introduced the new logo and brand colours and will be rolled out in stages over the next year. It builds upon a recent update in the organization’s funding model aimed at greatly enhancing the visitor experience.

View Discover Naramata Website →

"Do the Shu" New Shuswap Destination Website

The South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce launched a new website on May 6 at its annual Tourism Kickoff Breakfast. The website was developed in collaboration with the Chase Chamber of Commerce and the North Shuswap Chamber of Commerce.

The website is an economic development initiative for the western gateway to the Shuswap, developed through grants received from the Government of Canada, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, and the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior.

The website has been introduced to inform residents or visitors of the area and to ensure their time spent in the region will meet or exceed their expectations.

View Announcement →

View Website →

Tourism Week in Canada - May 29 - Jun 4, 2022

Tourism Week in Canada is back again from May 29-June 4, 2022, and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is recognizing the importance of the industry and the resilience of its workers by calling on all Canadians to TRAVEL NOW - for work, life, and play!

TIAC is asking for your support to champion local tourism destinations, businesses, and employees by lighting up your business in Tourism Week’s “Glowing Green” (colour hex code: #8BC53F) all week long.

Learn More →

Employer Toolkit: Attract and Integrate Internationally Trained Employees in South Okanagan Similkameen

Skilled immigrants can help businesses access new customers and international markets, enrich organizational culture, and spark innovation.

South Okanagan Immigrant & Community Services (SOICS) created an Employer Toolkit to help employers Attract and Integrate Internationally Trained Employees in South Okanagan-Similkameen. The toolkit contains resources to help with navigating the complex system of accessing various streams of immigrants, attracting immigrants to your workplace, and helping them and your business succeed together by creating welcoming environments.

Access Toolkit →

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Employer Toolkit: Sustaining the Black Lives Matter Movement in the Workplace

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion (CCDI) has prepared a toolkit to address the increasing demand for guidance on how employers can support Black employees by sustaining the ideals behind the Black Lives Matter movement.

Employers can benefit from creating an inclusive workplace by:

• Becoming a workplace of choice that attracts and retains talent.

• Increasing productivity and create a greater impact (e.g. produce more revenue and/or social outcomes aligned with the organization’s vision).

• Attracting business and markets from previously unexplored segments of the population.

View Toolkit →

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Ski Industry recognizes industry contributions including Helen Davies, Sun Peaks Resort and Debbie Muirhead, Inter-Mtn Testing and Inter-Mtn Enterprises Inc. (Kelowna)

On April 27, eight individuals were recognized for their contributions to the ski industry during the 2022 Canada West Ski Area Association (CWSAA) Spring Meeting in Lake Louise.

From the Thompson Okanagan, CWSAA recognized:

Peak Performance Award: Helen Davies, Director of HR & Employee Experience, Sun Peaks Resort

The CWSAA Peak Performance Award acknowledges innovation and creativity and is given to individuals whose concept/idea/contribution has provided value to their employer, that furthermore benefits the industry.

The Award intends to celebrate a broad range of talent within the increasing sophistication of the ski industry inclusive of the variety of departments within ski areas.

Jim Marshall Leadership Award: Debbie Muirhead of Inter-Mtn. Testing and Inter-Mtn Enterprises Inc. located in Kelowna.

Debbie Muirhead started Inter-Mtn. Testing Ltd. and Inter-Mtn. Enterprises Inc.in 1987 and has grown two small companies to International supporters of the ski industry. She started her career in the ski industry at Grouse Mountain in the early 70s and spent many years in ski area marketing before she started Inter-Mtn. Testing Ltd alongside her husband Don Muirhead. Debbie has served twice as the CWSAA Board of Director’s Associate Member Director and has been a mentor and leader to many in the industry.

Congratulations to the all recipients of the CWSAA Awards.

Learn More About the Winners →

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SDGs

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health & Wellbeing
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 6: Clean Water & Sanitization
• SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy
• SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities & Communities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 14: Life Below Water
• SDG 15: Life on Land
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
• SDG 18: Indigenous Reconciliation

First Nations, communities benefit from Emergency Preparedness Fund

More than 50 First Nations and local governments are receiving their share of more than $1.9 million in provincial emergency preparedness funding to help improve emergency support services (ESS) in their communities.

Thompson Okanagan communities include:

1. Ashcroft – establishing ESS services: Total approved funding: $11,128.51

2. Cook’s Ferry Indian Band – kits, lodging and security equipment: Total approved funding: $25,000

3. Kamloops – training and capacity-building: Total approved funding: $25,000

4. Okanagan Indian Band – capacity-building project: Total approved funding: $25,000

5. Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District, with Keremeos, Princeton, Summerland, Osoyoos – regional – modernization and training: Total approved funding: $89,750

6. Oliver – ESS: Total approved funding: $18,625

7. Penticton – enhancing capacity based on five months of deployment in 2021: Total approved funding: $17,000

8. Simpcw First Nation – Simpcw evacuation support unit: Total approved funding: $25,000

9. Tk’emlups te Secwepemc – training and equipment: Total approved funding: $22,686.04

10. Vernon – reception centre equipment 2022: Total approved funding: $25,000

Funding will support communities building capacity to provide ESS through equipment purchases and volunteer recruitment, retention and training. ESS funding is part of the $189-million Community Emergency Preparedness Fund administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) and supports programs that strengthen the resilience of First Nations communities, local governments and residents.

The Community Emergency Preparedness Fund is a suite of programs divided into several funding streams. The Province is introducing three new streams this year to help First Nations and local governments better prepare for emergencies and the changing climate: public notification and evacuation planning; extreme-heat risk mapping, assessment and planning; and disaster risk reduction/climate adaptation, which includes flood-risk reduction.

Intakes will also reopen for volunteer and composite fire departments; Indigenous cultural safety and cultural-humility training; emergency support services; and emergency operations centres.

View Announcement →

Training & Wage Subsidies for Environmental Jobs | ECO Canada

The Environmental Employability Pathway program is an employment readiness program which aims to help all youth (age 15 to 30) to navigate through the labour market and to successfully transition into sustained employment.

Small and medium sized businesses can receive up to $15,000 in wage funding for their next hire. Applications for 2022 are open.

Read More & Register →

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New Tourism Emergency Management Framework to Guide Industry During Crises

In conjunction with Emergency Preparedness Week, the industry-led Tourism Emergency Management Committee (TEMC) has released a new BC Tourism Emergency Management Framework to help reduce the industry’s vulnerabilities and risks and lessen the potentially adverse impacts to visitor experiences during emergencies.

The framework provides a unified structure to support tourism partners and visitors on matters related to the four pillars of emergency management:

1. Mitigation

2. Preparedness

3. Response

4. Recovery

The framework also supports the Province of British Columbia’s comprehensive emergency management plans by strengthening integration of visitors and the visitor economy before, during, and after an emergency event. This includes addressing visitors’ unique needs during emergencies, improving tourism industry preparedness, managing long term destination reputation, and reducing economic impact to tourism businesses.

As B.C.’s visitor economy continues to recover from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a strong need for a coordinated approach to emergency management for the tourism sector, particularly given anticipated future crises such as wildfires, flooding, heat domes, and another pandemic.

View Framework Document →

View Framework One Pager →

View TIABC Announcement →

Toolkit for Developing a Diversity and Inclusion Strategy

The Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion has created a toolkit for developing a diversity and inclusion strategy. The purpose of a strategy document is to briefly explain the rationale or reason organizations need to invest resources in a goal or initiative, and to provide more explicit direction on how to achieve that goal.

View Toolkit →

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The 50 – 30 Challenge: Your Diversity Advantage - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada

The 50 – 30 Challenge is an initiative between the Government of Canada, business and diversity organizations. Together with project co-creators, many of whom have been striving to increase corporate diversity for decades, the government has developed a plan to improve access for women and/or non-binary people and other equity-deserving groups, including those identifying as: Racialized, Black, and/or People of Colour ("Visible Minorities"), People with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples.

The program and participants recognize Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples, including those that identify as First Nation Peoples, Métis Nation, and Inuit, as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.

The goal of the program is to challenge Canadian organizations to increase the representation and inclusion of diverse groups within their workplace, while highlighting the benefits of giving all Canadians a seat at the table.

The 50 – 30 Challenge asks that organizations aspire to two goals:

1. Gender parity ("50%" women and/or non-binary people) on Canadian board(s) and/or senior management; and

2. Significant representation ("30%") on Canadian board(s) and senior management of other equity-deserving groups: Racialized, Black, and/or People of Colour ("Visible Minorities"), People with disabilities (including invisible and episodic disabilities), 2SLGBTQ+ and/or gender and sexually diverse individuals, and Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples. The program and participants recognize Aboriginal and/or Indigenous Peoples, including those that identify as First Nation Peoples, Métis Nation, and Inuit, as founding Peoples of Canada and underrepresented in positions of economic influence and leadership.

Learn More →

DKA Nets Top Honors at Best In The West Awards

The Downtown Kelowna Association (DKA) has been recognized as “Best In The West” for its role in making Kelowna’s downtown an increasingly desirable place to live, conduct business, work, and play.

The 2022 Best In The West Awards were presented on Tuesday, May 3 as part of this year’s Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC) Conference in Coquitlam.

The DKA received three awards in total: the Award of Merit in Special Events for the DKA Winter Street Market (2021), the Award of Excellence in Programming & Partnerships for Meet Me on Bernard (2021), and the Award of Excellence in Safety & Security for DKA’s On-Street Services.

DKA Executive Director, Mark Burley, accepted the awards on behalf of the organization. When accepting the Award of Excellence for Meet Me on Bernard, Burley gratefully acknowledged the valuable partnership that exists between the DKA, the City of Kelowna, and Tourism Kelowna who work together to produce the initiative. Meet Me on Bernard is the summertime, temporary closure of Bernard Avenue from Abbot Street to St. Paul. Meet Me on Bernard returns for a third season beginning July 1 this year.  

Especially significant is the Award of Excellence in Safety & Security, which highlights the continued work of DKA’s On-Street Services Department. Covering a 42-square block radius, the On-Street Services teams are dedicated to the safety, security, and cleanliness of Downtown Kelowna during and after business hours. The Downtown On Call (DOC) and Clean Team ambassadors are the most visible members of the DKA, working with business members, visitors to Downtown, the RCMP, and social service agencies to help foster and maintain a positive social environment in Downtown Kelowna. On-Street Services Manager, Ron Beahun, who will retire later this year was instrumental in the creation of the department in 2008. 

New Air Canada Flights to Vancouver Airport from Brisbane & Quebec City

Air Canada is resuming direct flights from Vancouver International Airport - YVR to Brisbane starting this July! The service will operate four times a week year-round. The return of the Brisbane flights is part of an expansion of Air Canada’s flights to the South Pacific as governments begin easing travel restrictions. 

Learn More →

Air Canada continues to strengthen its presence in Quebec City by providing additional travel options to Quebecers with new seasonal service routes being offered to Calgary and Vancouver. In May, Air Canada operated its first non-stop service between Quebec City and Vancouver. These new seasonal domestic routes will operate until the end of October.

Learn More →