TIABC Voice of Tourism Newsletter – January 9, 2026

Happy New Year. I trust you enjoyed the holiday season and have embraced the start to 2026 with optimism, enthusiasm and anticipation for what the next 12 months will bring to our sector.

While doing laps around the neighbourhood on the only dry day in Vancouver this week, I ran into a couple of friends who asked if I was done yet. I replied, “Cycling or work”?

Because I’ve been answering the same question over and over again for several months, a part of me is tempted to record a video message to send or play back to everyone that asks about my future plans. But I don’t want to be rude and understand that most people are genuinely interested to know more about my next chapter and that of TIABC.

Fortunately I still have this space to communicate with members, colleagues, and friends in tourism so I offer you a brief update to satisfy whatever curiosity you may have. The information comes with a caveat that I am not involved in the hiring process for my successor but am offering limited logistical support as-needed.

You may recall that in Fall 2025, TIABC’s Governance Committee hired Chemistry Consulting, in partnership with Two-Willows Consulting, to conduct an extensive search for the organization’s next CEO. A number of candidates submitted credentials, which were then vetted by Chemistry/Two Willows to ensure alignment with the job profile and needs of TIABC.

From all of the applicants, a list of potential suitors was developed with an initial round of ‘screening’ interviews to winnow the list down to a manageable number of those with the requisite qualifications. From there, TIABC’s Governance Committee conducted virtual interviews with each candidate to ultimately select the so-called finalists.

TIABC’s entire board recently conducted ‘in-person’ interviews with the frontrunners, part of which included presentations by the candidates on a pressing tourism issue. A decision, followed by an offer and contract details will be sorted out within the next couple of weeks, after which a formal announcement will be made on who TIABC’s new CEO will be. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, I will remain with TIABC until sometime in March to clean up unfinished business, help with the transition and onboarding of the new leader, as well as to stickhandle the various moving parts of the 2026 BC Tourism Industry Conference, which takes place in Kelowna from March 4-6 (have you registered yet?).

I will also be managing pressing policy files, emerging tourism-related issues, special projects such as research and industry succession planning initiatives, committee work (e.g. Nearshore Haida Advisory Committee), as well as conducting member and stakeholder roundtables in Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and Southern Vancouver Island. As well, I will be moderating two panels at the upcoming Impact Sustainability Travel and Tourism Conference in Victoria later this month (have you registered yet?), something I’m very much looking forward to.

I almost forgot…I’m also planning to join some friends for a short golf trip at the end of February.

Over the Christmas break we hosted relatives for dinner and sure enough, one of them asked if I was done yet? I replied, “End of Q1, next year” to which they responded, “What’s Q1?” Clearly I need to share today’s message with more friends and family too, whether by video, text, email, or face-to-face. BTW…thank you for asking where TIABC is at with the hiring process and about my future. I mean that sincerely.

Best wishes on a prosperous new year.

Walt Judas,

CEO, TIABC