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Feb 24, 2022

Letter to Minister Mark Re: Sport

Letter from Tourism Industry Association of BC

Advocacy

Dear Minister Mark,

It was good to see you in Victoria on Budget Day. I’m glad we had a chance to connect, albeit briefly at the Helijet terminal.

You mentioned that one of your big priorities this year revolves around sport. Yesterday I met with my Policy Committee to discuss TIABC’s proposed policy vis-à-vis the hosting of major sporting events to build/rebuild, among other things, BC’s visitor economy.

The consensus was that while in each case due diligence must be done in the form of a cost-benefit analysis and other scrutiny, the advantages of hosting major sporting events generally outweigh any drawbacks. Along with overall economic impact, the Policy Committee discussed benefits such as job creation, venue utilization, community pride, destination brand building, media attention, marketing opportunities, pre and post meetings and test events, off-season business prospects, inspiring youth, creating social legacies, and using major sporting events as a forum for reconciliation.

As we develop our formal position, please know that TIABC is excited about the prospect of hosting the Invictus Games, FIFA World Cup, and the 2030 Winter Olympics in British Columbia. Recognizing that we’ve still got a lot of work to do to secure one or more of these prestigious events, we nonetheless want to offer our support and gratitude for your efforts. Please let us know if or how we can help.

Thank you Minister. I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks at the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference.

Best Regards,

Walt Judas
CEO, TIABC

More Advocacy

TIABC is pleased to release its 2022 Advocacy Report Card, which details the advocacy efforts and achievements and synopsis of some of the organization’s key initiatives last year. 

Read now through link in bio. 👆
Tourism leaders cheer on the @canucks in the Rogers Suite. 🏒👏

L-R: Destination Vancouver's Royce Chwin, TIABC's Walt Judas, Tourism Minister Lana Popham, Sport Hosting Vancouver's Michelle Collens, TIABC Director/VCC's Dennis Innes, Indigenous Tourism BC's Henry Tso.

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc
Each year, on March 8th, people around the world celebrate International Women's Day and the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Today, TIABC salutes the women on our board and staff who are so valued, respected and appreciated by colleagues throughout the entire BC tourism industry. 

⭐ Brenda Baptiste
⭐Joanne Burns-Millar
⭐Pria Flanagan
⭐Miranda Ji
⭐Deborah Kulchiski
⭐Sandra Oldfield
⭐Sandra van Steijn 
⭐Fiona Wray

Thank you for your incredible contribution to our organization and to BC’s visitor economy.

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc #internationalwomensday #womenintourism #womensday #IWD2023 #embraceequity
Over the weekend, TIABC CEO Walt Judas, Vancouver City Councillor Pete Fry, and Sport Hosting Vancouver Senior Manager Michelle Collens enjoyed watching the Canada Sevens rugby tournament at BC Place! 🏉

#bctourismcounts #bctourism #tourismsector #bc #tourism #bcstrong #explorebc #hellobc #GreenMeansGo #rugbysevens #bcplace
What a great first day at the BCTHC 👏

We had an incredible first day in Prince George gathering with industry friends and experiencing the many wonders that the incredible Northern BC region has to offer!

#BCTourismandHospitalityConference #bcthc #conference #tourism #StayBC #BCTourismCounts #BCTHC2023Tourism
TIABC CEO, Walt Judas and @bchotelassociation CEO Ingrid Jarrett attended the @pgcougars game on the eve of the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference in Prince George. 🏒

#BCTourismandHospitalityConference #bcthc #conference #tourism #StayBC #BCTourismCounts