The BCHA has partnered with HIRES to support refugee resettlement while helping hotels find talent to hire! The HIRES program has successfully brought 2 cohorts from Kenya to British Columbia and is now accepting applications for cohort 3, arriving in Fall 2023. To discover all you need to know about this opportunity, watch the video below beginning at 25 minutes in. For more information and to sign up, connect with Eliza Seaborn, Senior Program Officer at HIRES at:

250-686-6847 or eseaborn@wusc.ca 

→ WATCH HIRES VIDEO

Thank you to all who joined us for the 2023 BCHA Summit! We're looking for feedback to make next year's conference an even better event. Please complete by Friday, May 12!

→ VENDOR SURVEY

→ DELEGATE SURVEY

BC has unveiled its Future Ready Action Plan aimed at addressing skills shortages, improving post-secondary education, and breaking down barriers to employment. The plan features five pillars, including reskilling people for in-demand jobs, ensuring newcomers find jobs in their trained field, and creating a more affordable and accessible post-secondary education system. The plan includes several new initiatives such as the addition of 3,000 tech-relevant post-secondary spaces, an increase in student loan maximums, and the creation of a student grant for short-term programs. The province will also launch a $30M Workplace Innovation Fund to support businesses in meeting labour challenges.

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The Province of British Columbia is helping communities prepare for potential flooding as conditions evolve. With hot weather, snowmelt, and heavy rain expected, individuals in affected areas should plan ahead for personal safety. The Province has deployed sandbags and watershed experts, while the River Forecast Centre monitors conditions. Local governments and First Nations have the most up-to-date information. Learn how to prepare with the PreparedBC’s Flood Preparedness Guide.

→ LEARN MORE

According to the FBI, 90% of cybersecurity breaches in 2022 started with email phishing. Cybersecurity expert Kyle Hanslovian notes that successful email breaches are rare when multi-factor authentication is properly implemented. As a BCHA member, you can request a complimentary STRATEGIC HOTEL IT & CYBERSECURITY ROADMAP from IT Partners, valued at $1800. Learn more about preventing phishing attempts using the link below.

→ LEARN MORE

Learn about the risks of greenwashing and greenhushing and how they can harm your organization's reputation and bottom line. BCHA Partners GreenStep Solutions contributed this article to TIAC, offering practical advice on finding the right balance in communicating your sustainability story through the Green & Golden Rule. Discover free online resources like the GreenStep Sustainable Tourism Score assessment and the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge to help you generate sustainability ideas and avoid greenwashing. Take action towards a more sustainable future today.

→ READ THE ARTICLE

TIABC, go2hr, and Destination BC are conducting a survey on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) efforts of tourism and hospitality businesses in BC. This survey supports the industry's learning journey towards authentic representation and creating safe, accessible, and inclusive tourism experiences.

→ TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY

Introducing Wyrk: a new BCHA member and Vancouver-based app that connects hotels with an on-demand workforce, including housekeepers, front desk staff, banquet servers, bussers, bartenders, and more. Wyrk streamlines the process for on-demand workers, reduces staffing costs, and improves communication between hotels and their on-call staff. With Wyrk, hotels can easily manage their fluctuating staffing needs while providing more work opportunities for their existing employees. Say goodbye to staffing shortages and hello to a smarter, more efficient workforce solution. BCHA members receive a 10% reduction in the Wyrk fee. Contact Ryan Lee, Outreach Specialist/Solution Advisor, at r.lee@wyrk.io or 604-259-3219 to get started.

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Hytera Canada offers two-way radios for hotels, designed to enhance communication and increase operational efficiency. With a wide range of models available, with advanced features such as GPS tracking and text messaging, Hytera Canada can provide solutions tailored to the specific needs of any hotel. Overall, Hytera Canada's two-way radios can help hotels to provide superior service to their guests and streamline their operations.

→ VISIT HYTERA CANADA TODAY

Held during the Summit Spring Fling, the BCHA team and Board of Directors proudly recognized the achievements of our industry with the BCHA Awards of Excellence. A total of seven awards were presented, including Hotelier of the Year and Hotel of the Year. We applaud all nominees for their contributions in making hotels in British Columbia such phenomenal places to work, visit, and enjoy.



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Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) has announced the winner of its annual Miracle Award for outstanding leadership and achievement in developing and supporting the Greater Victoria visitor economy. This year, John Wilson, President and CEO of The Wilson’s Group of Companies has been selected as the recipient. DGV praised John for his passionate leadership and commitment to supporting sustainable tourism growth in the community and beyond. Congratulations to John Wilson for this well-deserved recognition.