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TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter

August 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – August 9, 2024

I recall being in a meeting with a cabinet minister several years ago and she asked me who my local MLA was. I drew a blank and st...

August 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – August 2, 2024

On a trip to the Okanagan last month, I decided to leave my truck behind for my son to finish moving stuff into his new house. Bec...

July 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – July 26, 2024

Because my daughter is raising her family in Saskatchewan’s capital city, I refuse to jump on the Regina trash talk bandwagon ot...

July 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – July 19, 2024

Last fall dozens of unexpected and unwelcome European visitors led to the destruction of my entire lawn. Seems the dreaded invasiv...

July 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – July 12, 2024

In 2018, my wife and I joined another couple for a camping weekend at a beautiful spot on the south coast. Because we wanted to dr...

July 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – July 5, 2024

When my wife is done talking or listening to a podcast and decides a book is better company than me on long road trips, I typicall...

June 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – June 28, 2024

No matter how early or late I go to bed, I sleep solidly for the first two hours after my head hits the pillow, then catnap the re...

June 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – June 21, 2024

Three weeks ago, my wife and I embarked on a road trip from our home in Tofino to Edmonton and back, visiting friends and family a...

June 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – June 14, 2024

When I purchased a boat a few years ago from two retired brothers in Vernon, I headed straight to the launch ramp at West Kelowna...

June 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – June 7, 2024

Watching a lone cyclist saddled with heavy gear struggling to make his way up a long steep hill on Highway 5 (Yellowhead) a couple...

June 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – May 31, 2024

For a good decade of my tenure at Tourism Vancouver (now Destination Vancouver - DVAN), there were four of us on the senior manage...

June 2024

TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – May 24, 2024

I remember the first time I took my family to New York City, when upon exiting the arrivals terminal at LaGuardia, a well-dressed ...

TIABC CEO Walt Judas, BCHA's Ingrid Jarrett, DBC's Josie Heisig, Destination Vancouver's Michael Drake and Vancouver Deputy Mayor Mike Klassen were among the speakers honouring some 800 frontline workers at the recent Vancouver Tourism Awards Gala masterfully emceed by Fast Signs Paul LeBlanc at the JW Marriott Parq Hotel.

The Gala annually celebrates both monthly winners throughout the year, as well as all nominees. This year's featured speaker was BC Paralympian Josh Dueck who won a silver medal in skiing for Canada at both the 2010 and 2014 Winter Paralympics. His message of passion, perseverance and possibility earned him a standing ovation.

Huge kudos to Peggie Terry, the Board of Directors and the entire Vancouver Tourism Awards team for another outstanding gala.

📷: Rhonda Dent
TIABC’s Walt Judas, TOTA’s Ellen Walker Matthews and Travel Penticton’s Thom Tischik connected at the opening reception of the TOTA Summit in Vernon this week. Walt was one of the Summit speakers and spoke about the new political landscape in BC following last week’s provincial election. 

At the TOTA AGM on Tuesday, TIABC Director Sandra Oldfield was elected as TOTA’s new board chair.
TIABC CEO Walt Judas presented to delegates at the Kootenay Rockies Summit in Nelson where he spoke about what the final election results will mean for the tourism sector in BC.  He also moderated a panel discussion on emergency management featuring BCHA's Ingrid Jarrett, HatchComms' Kate Colley, and Kootenay Rockies Tourism's Corrine Bundschuh. The Kootenay Rockies region represents about 10% of British Columbia's annual tourism revenues.
CEO Walt Judas spoke about TIABC's advocacy priorities at the Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA) Summit in Prince George this week. It was the first in-person NBCTA conference in five years and attracted close to 100 delegates including Smithers tourism operator Al McCreary who is the past president of ABLE BC.

Delegates heard from several speakers on topics ranging from tourism crisis communications preparedness and sustainability, to AI and trail building with Indigenous partners. The Summit continues through Thursday with sessions on place making, innovation and marketing.
🍁 Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂 

In observance of Thanksgiving, our offices will be closed on Monday, October 14th. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, October 15th. 

Wishing you a joyful and safe Thanksgiving Holiday with family, friends, and loved ones.
2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference 

We’re excited to share that the conference program overview, registration rates, and hotel room booking details for the 2025 BC Tourism Industry Conference are now available to view on our website.

Explore the program overview. While detailed timing will be released later this fall, we're pleased to announce that the program will return to the Wednesday-to-Friday format. Mark your calendars for March 5-7, 2025, and stay tuned for updates on keynote speakers, engaging sessions, networking opportunities, and more.

Visit the conference website through link in bio! 👆🔗 

We look forward to seeing you in Vancouver next year!