BCHA NEWS
Congrats to the Winners of the BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards!
Congratulations to the winners of the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Awards! The awards celebrate excellence in the tourism and hospitality industry in British Columbia, and this year's winners truly embody that spirit.

Congratulations to Sport Surrey, Kate Cox of Barkerville Heritage Trust, Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort and Conference Centre, Sun Peaks Resort LLP, Northern FanCon, Klahoose Wilderness Resort, Beyond the Haunting Investigations, Destination Greater Victoria, and The Parkside Hotel & Spa. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence are an inspiration to us all.

In Memoriam 2023
During the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference Awards Gala, the industry gathered to remember our colleagues and friends who we have sadly lost this past year. Forever in our hearts, we honour their memory and the impact they had on our lives and our work. May their legacy continue to bring us guidance and joy.

Images of the BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference
Are you ready to see some stunning images from the 2023 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference? Look no further than our exclusive gallery, featuring photos captured by Drigo Photography. From keynote speakers to networking events, this conference had it all. Access the gallery with the password PG2023.

BCHA Summit - Industry's Next Opportunity to Grow & Engage
Early bird registration is open for the 2023 BC Hotel Association Summit until March 17! The accommodation business event of the year will take place May 1-2, 2023 at Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna. Join this two-day forum, featuring a curated marketplace of over 40 vendors; engaging keynotes and breakout sessions; an industry reception at BNA Brewing Co.; and the BC Hotel Association Awards of Excellence! 

REGISTER
TOP STORIES
Report from DVan Shows Hotel Capacity in Crisis to Meet Tourism Demand
Destination Vancouver has released the Economic Analysis of Hotel Supply and Projected Demand in Metro Vancouver, 2023 to 2050 report. The report shows that without an increase of hotel rooms in Metro Vancouver, the provincial economy could lose out on billions of dollars over the next few decades.

Legislation Announced to Close BC's Gender Gap
Private sector employers will be required to publicly post reports on their gender pay gap and adopt other changes under pay transparency legislation introduced today by the Honourable Katrine Conroy, Minister of Finance. As of Nov.1 this year, all employers will be required to include wage or salary ranges on all publicly advertised jobs. Employers will be banned from asking prospective employees for pay history information or punishing employees who disclose how much they make to co-workers or potential job applicants.

RESOURCES
Tourism Week Returns! Amplify
Get set for this year’s weeklong celebration of tourism in Canada! Tourism Week is an annual invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote Canada’s destinations, tourism businesses, and employees – from coast to coast to coast. This year’s theme is CANADA: Powered by Tourism!

→ LEARN MORE
EVENT | Changes to Open Work Permit Eligibility with AHLA
On January 30, 2023, The Government of Canada announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program. Family members of most foreign workers can now apply for an open work permit. These changes have opened up hiring opportunities for the hospitality industry and affect how you hire foreign workers. Join the AHLA and our preferred partners Recruit Without Borders on Friday March 10th as they discuss these program changes. Along with general information on hiring foreign workers, restrictions, pricing, timelines and more! 
→ REGISTER
Spring 2023 Edition of Quarterly Pour Out Now
ABLE BC | Take LRS Benchmark Survey
As BC’s private liquor industry association, ABLE BC works to collect data for membership and create an economic snapshot of our industry. They survey private liquor store members on an annual basis to help develop KPIs or benchmarks for your business. The LRS survey now comes in two versions: for independent stores and chains. Deadline March. 24.
TAKE SURVEY
Decriminalization Legislation: How to Protect Your Business and Avoid Heavy Fines
The recent British Columbia decriminalization legislation has caused confusion as to what this means for industry operators and their businesses. Rising Tide has prepared education to help accommodation operators navigate this issue.

→ LEARN MORE
TRENDING
Full BCBC Analysis: BC Budget 2023

Following an initial statement released on February 28, BCBC's Chief Economist, Ken Peacock provides an in-depth analysis of BC Budget 2023.
 
The new Budget expands and builds on several years of substantial spending increases and delivers additional fiscal stimulus when the economy is already running hot. The Budget fails to embrace a balanced economic and fiscal policy agenda that fosters investment, supports innovation, and encourages the scaling up of businesses to strengthen the economy and lift real wages.

AT A GLANCE
Indigenous Tourism BC Launches New Speaker Series
ITBC has launched a new Employer Speaker Series for BC Tourism employers who want to learn how to attract and retain Indigenous talent. The series involves six sessions which will begin Feb.15 from 12pm-1pm.

2023 International Indigenous Tourism Conference
March 8-10
BCHA Summit Returns!
May 1-2, 2022
Kelowna
HERE'S TO YOU!
Industry Remembers Hotel Titan Gérard Pélisson
The industry is mourning the passing of Gérard Pélisson, one of Accor’s co-founders. He was a pioneer in the industry and was an inspiration to so many. Gérard Pélisson was an avid businessman. We share our thoughts with the Accor community at this time.

TIAC President & CEO Wins Prestigious Award 
The Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Toronto Metropolitan University has awarded Beth Potter, President & CEO of TIAC, its prestigious Industry Award 2022. The award is presented in recognition of her significant work promoting the recovery of the sector, as well as her role in connecting the industry to all levels of government. In addition, the award recognizes her past contributions to the School as a member of its Advisory Council.

LAST LAUGH
THE BCHA INDUSTRY UPDATE IS PRESENTED BY