Skip to main content

Mar 8, 2022

BCHA’s BC Hotel Services Sectoral Workforce Solution Skills Training Project

Letter from Tourism Industry Association of BC

Advocacy

Re: BCHA’s BC Hotel Services Sectoral Workforce Solution Skills Training Project

TIABC is a non-profit organization that advocates for the interests of British Columbia’s $22.3 billion visitor economy (normalized year) and its 19,300 businesses that employ close to 350,000 workers. Our membership includes private sector tourism businesses, industry associations and destination marketing organizations. We work closely with our members to keep BC’s tourism industry competitive.

TIABC welcomes provincial collaboration to address common challenges faced by our membership. We recognize the importance of a diverse, skilled, workforce to build a resilient, post pandemic
economy and we welcome cross sectoral collaboration to implement proactive and creative solutions. BCHA’s proposed project is timely, inclusive, and proactive. Not only does it tap into a wider pool of human resources by connecting with equity seeking groups to train them for in- demand occupations, but it also engages employers and businesses to take a more holistic and sustainable approach in addressing their business needs.

The Tourism Industry Association of BC also appreciates BCHA’s efforts to support underrepresented and racialized Canadians of all skill levels to become employment-ready for work in a variety of high-demand occupations in the hospitality and tourism sectors. TIABC is excited about this solution focused initiative designed to involve various stakeholders that can directly influence and benefit from the program, especially employers and workers, instead of using a
traditional unilateral approach. We will gladly play a multifaceted role in supporting BCHA’s proposed program. More specifically, TIABC will:

  • Disseminate information about the program and recruit member employers
  • Market and support the recruitment of participants for training
  • Facilitate employer connections from the Hospitality sectors, but also from other in-demand industries for the purpose of sourcing guest speakers/consultants who can inform on topics such as industry and/or occupation-specific employer expectations, interview tips, skills development opportunities, employment opportunities, etc.
  • Work with BCHA to design, develop, and implement the project’s dissemination strategy to share project results with project partners and other relevant employment organizations/associations, and employers; and,
  • Create access for interested program participants to utilize additional tools, resources, up-to-date industry information, and networking opportunities.


The Tourism Industry Association of BC looks forward to being a partner to BCHA’s BC Hotel Services Sectoral Workforce Solution Skills Training Project, contributing an in-kind value up to approximately $10,000, and providing a link to employment opportunities for skilled Canadians in various in-demand occupations across the region. Please do not hesitate to contact me for further information.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss further, please contact me at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,
Walt Judas, CEO
778-953-0620

More Advocacy

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!