Message from President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett |
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BCHA President & CEO Ingrid Jarrett, delivers an update on capacity restrictions in BC along with the significant advocacy wins and updates from Ottawa today.
Once again we thank Susie Grynol and her team at the Hotel Association of Canada for their tireless advocacy working which made today's announcement possible. We also thank everyone who added their voice in this critical advocacy initiative.
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Changes to COVID-19
Emergency Support Programs
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Press Release | Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses Applaud Employment Support Programs |
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The Coalition of Hardest Hit Businesses is praising the new targeted support measures for businesses that are still facing significant pandemic-related challenges, including the Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program and the Hardest-Hit Business Recovery Program, that were announced by the Trudeau government earlier today. We also applaud the announcement on the new international vaccine passport. These new initiatives will help support our hard-hit sector through the winter period, prioritizing job creation and a strong recovery of the travel economy.
“The federal government had Canadians’ backs throughout the pandemic,” said Beth Potter, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). “Today, the government delivered on its election promise to provide the tourism, hotel, and events businesses the help they need to survive, and to continue to maintain the highest levels of employment possible.”
“The tourism industry is the hardest hit industry. Even as the economy reopens, business and international travel will take time to recover,” said Susie Grynol, President and CEO of the Hotel Association of Canada (HAC). “The new programs announced today will help our members stay alive through a difficult winter until our expected recovery in the spring.”
The tourism, hotel, and events sectors are unique:
- Most global tourists visit Canada only in the summer. This international summer season was missed due to border restrictions;
- We have entered the off-season where domestic travel slows and Canadians travel south;
- Mass gathering restrictions mean that large events – festivals, conferences, live music – are prevented from operating;
- Key messages from government that “now is not the time to travel” are still in effect;
- Work from home has resulted in limited business travel.
Without continued support, many tourism, hotel and event businesses would have closed permanently, making temporary job losses permanent. This would have had a significant negative impact not only on the tourism industry, but Canada’s broader economic recovery overall. This announcement gives our industry hope as we work hard to achieve full recovery from the effects of the pandemic
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Canada to Move Forward with Standardized Proof of Vaccination for Travel |
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Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that a standardized Canadian COVID-19 proof of vaccination is now available to residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and Yukon, with other provinces to follow suit. The Prime Minister also noted that Canada is working with partners internationally to ensure the proof of vaccination is recognized and accepted abroad to facilitate international travel.
The standardized proof of vaccination is issued by provinces and territories to individuals who are vaccinated and registered with their provincial or territorial health authority, and can also be used with ArriveCAN, the mobile app and website for travellers to submit mandatory information when arriving in Canada from other countries. While the government is said to have considered other options like a federal proof of vaccination system, it was determined this would have “limited value” since provinces and territories administer vaccines and are the custodians of relevant data.
Residents from provinces not yet issuing the standardized proof of vaccination can use their existing provincial documentation but the government notes it is up to foreign governments to determine whether to accept it. Those vaccinated outside Canada can check with their home province or territory to see if they can register their vaccine record to get a Canadian proof of vaccine.
Effective October 30, 2021, travellers departing from Canadian airports, and travellers on VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer trains, will be required to be fully vaccinated to travel. To allow travellers time to become fully vaccinated, there will be a short transition period where they will be able to travel if they show a valid COVID-19 molecular test within 72 hours of travel as an alternative to providing proof of full vaccination. If travellers have not already started the vaccination process, or do not start soon, they risk not qualifying for travel as of November 30, 2021. According to media reports, changes are coming soon to the global health travel advisories to a destination-based approach, so Canadians can better prepare travel plans.
Key Links
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go2HR Launches New BSafe Proof of Vaccination Module |
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BSAFE™, an online COVID-19 health and safety training program developed specifically for the BC tourism and hospitality industry, has been updated!
BSAFE is designed to ensure foundational health and safety knowledge for BC’s tourism and hospitality businesses to keep everyone — workers, guests and communities — safe as we continue to move through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Course details:
- Free for BC tourism and hospitality employers and employees
- Created by go2HR in partnership with tourism and hospitality stakeholders and the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sports
- Asynchronous, online training course, 90-minutes in length
What You’ll Learn:
BSAFE is comprised of 6 modules that cover a variety of topics to give you a foundational understanding of COVID-19 health and safety protocols as well as tips on handling non-compliance.
- Module 1 Understanding the Legal Context for COVID-19
- Module 2 Keep Yourself and Others Safe
- Module 3 Keeping Records
- Module 4 Communicating Effectively with Your Team and Guests
- Module 5 Responding to Challenging Interactions (scenarios)
- Module 6 BC Proof of Vaccination Protocols
Organizations and individuals are able to sign up to take part in the BSAFE training. You can join the over 400 organizations who are already registered and working on becoming BSAFE Trained businesses. Upon full completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of achievement. Employers who have 75% of their workforce successfully complete the training course, will be recognized with a “BSAFE Trained” certificate. They can use this certificate in different ways to demonstrate their commitment to providing a safe environment for guests and workers, thereby increasing consumer confidence. go2HR will provide a communications toolkit for BSAFE Trained business to easily assist them in promoting this new designation.
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Reminder | Capacity Restrictions Lifted for Gatherings & Events in Some Areas of BC |
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Earlier this week, Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer announced that capacity limits on some events and gatherings will be lifted in B.C. allowing full capacity for gatherings like concerts, sports events, weddings and parties.
Updates and changes:
- Indoor sporting venues, concerts, theatres, dance and symphony events will be able to operate at full capacity.
- Indoor organized gatherings like weddings, funerals, conferences, and parties will be able to operate at full capacity.
- Individuals will no longer have to remain seated at restaurants and bars.
Important items to note:
- The lifted measures will come into effect on October 25th.
- Proof of vaccination will continue to be required at the above events, gatherings, and socail situations.
- The provincial mask mandate continues to remain in place, requiring individuals to where a mask when indoors
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Face Coverings: expires October 31, 2021
- Region-specific capacity limits will continue in Eastern Fraser Health, Interior Health and Northern Health areas and include:
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Interior Health: Gatherings and Events (no expiry date)
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Northern Health: Gatherings and Events (no expiry date)
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Fraser Health: Gatherings and Events (no expiry date)
For more information about current restrictions, you can also visit these government websites:
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ICYMI | New Rules to Protect Young Workers Now In Effect - Hotel Operations Considered "Light Work" |
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As of October 15, 2021, new rules are in effect for young workers in BC. Changes to Employment Standards have raised the general working age in BC from 12 to 16 and defined the types of jobs appropriate for those under 16.
For full details click here and see below for quick links. Our sector relies heavily on youth to fill seasonal positions, and can continue to do so in a safe manner.
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Sign up for our GoGreen program today and get your FREE energy analysis! |
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Tourism businesses can download the President Group’s "Make it Count: Measuring for Disability Inclusion in Your Workplace", a practical guide for employers seeking to measure the rate of disability in their businesses.
The guide draws on real-world experiences of BC employers to explore common barriers, lessons learned, and innovative solutions.
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Resource | Explore Propel Student Placement Program Today |
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Funded by the Government of Canada through the Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers registered Canadian businesses, startups and not-for-profits related to the tourism and hospitality sector a wage subsidy of up to 75 per cent of a qualifying student’s wages, to a maximum of $7,500. Students enrolled at a recognized post-secondary institution can apply for a paid position to fulfil the co-op or internship component of their program. The position being covered must be a work-integrated learning opportunity for a post-secondary student but can be accessed by businesses that cover all facets of the visitor economy: accommodations, food and beverage services, culinary, recreation, entertainment, culture, events, transportation, travel services, and more.
Eligibility
Businesses: Registered Canadian businesses, startups and not-for-profits organizations related to the tourism and hospitality sector.
Students: Any student working in the tourism and hospitality industry, but does not necessarily need to be studying tourism or hospitality.
- Full or part-time work-integrated learning
- A minimum of 20 hours a week; minimum of 4 weeks
- Not funded by other federal grants
- With a tourism/hospitality employer and/or related to a tourism/hospitality job function
- Students cannot be replacing a displaced worker or filling a role left vacant due to a labour dispute
Benefits
Benefits of the program ensure that students gain paid hands-on learning and mentoring in their field of study. Employers acquire much-needed early talent to help with the recovery of the industry, as well as assistance with wages after an 18-month stretch of little or no income. Post-secondary institutions complement their programming by connecting students and the workplace.
Get Started
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Don't Miss Out | Tickets for Charity Online 50/50 Raffle on Sale Now! |
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The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that tickets for its online 50/50 raffle are now on sale. The raffle will start with a $1000 jackpot and will increase with every ticket purchased above and beyond until sales close on November 15, 2021. The initiative is a fundraiser for the BCHF, which is the only charity of its kind in Canada, with a mission of supporting hospitality and tourism workers in need.
Tickets for the raffle will be
- 5 for $10
- 20 for $20
- 150 for $40
Tickets may be purchased online HERE, and the page shows updated jackpot as tickets are purchased.
The winning name will be drawn at noon on November 16th and will be posted on the BCHF website and social media shortly thereafter, pending notification to the winner. Please support our hospitality and tourism sector by purchasing tickets and by spreading the word about the raffle among your friends, family, and colleagues!
Funds raised by the event will be used by the BCHF to support hospitality industry workers facing financial crisis due to a serious health condition experienced by themselves or a family member. The registered charity also administers a scholarship program that fosters the development of the next generation of hospitality industry workers and leaders.
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BCHA Live Industry Update | New
Locations Announced in Okanagan & Victoria - Sign Up Today!
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#HaveYourSay
Take Part in Important Survey's Today
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As BC’s private liquor industry association, ABLE BC wrks to collect data for their 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. ABLE is conducting their third annual LRS Benchmark Survey and
need your feedback.
To ensure they can offer you valuable insights, we kindly ask that if you own and/or operate an LRS, you complete the survey here.
Deadline to complete survey: October 27th.
Results will be shared with members and in the Quarterly Pour. Preliminary results will be presented at the BC Liquor Conference on October 25, 2021.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: info@ablebc.ca
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In May 2021, amendments to the Employment Standards Act laid the groundwork for establishing minimum standards for permanent paid sick leave. Following the public engagement process, paid sick leave will be established through regulation and come into effect on January 1, 2022.
British Columbians are now invited to have their say on three proposed options for permanent paid sick leave shaped by their responses to the first phase of consultation.
The options paper has been posted on government’s engagement site and is available for comment until October 25. Three options have been developed that cover the minimum number of days: three, five and 10 days of paid sick leave.
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The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Provincial & Territorial Tourism Industry Association (PTTIA), that includes TIABC, have formed a task force on the issue of rising insurance premiums in the tourism industry.
We are continuing to hear from operators concerned with commercial insurance access, premium increase and limited liability coverage. Insurance is a fundamental element in the industry’s ability to build back stronger post pandemic.
To help with advocacy work on this issue, please complete this survey by September 24th. We also request that you share the survey link with members and stakeholders to ensure as robust a response as possible. Thank you for your time and input.
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Results from the survey will:
- Identify evolving trends – and roadblocks
- Brief government on the business climate in preparation for the 2022 budget
- Inform our advocacy efforts
All BCMindReader members who complete the survey will be entered to win one of three $250 VISA Gift Cards!
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ICYMI | BCHA, go2HR, WorkBC Best Practices in Hiring Webinar |
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Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for our Best Practices in Hiring Webinar in partnership with go2HR and WorkBC!
It was a highly engaged session that outlined practical tips for recruitment and retention along with the WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program, where up to 50% of your new hire's wage can be reimbursed.
Watch the Webinar Today!
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Save the Date! | BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference, March 8-11, 2022
Mark your calendars! The 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Conference officially has a date. Taking place in Prince George, March 8-11, 2022, the conference will be an informative multi-day conference aimed at supporting growth and celebrating industry.
Stay tuned for further updates coming soon!
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Rapid Testing Info Session: Register Today
Rapid testing has long been seen as a possible tool to help employers manage COVID-19 in the workplace. However, until recently, these tests were not widely available and employers were unsure how to implement.
Safe Screen B.C. has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) to help businesses across the province access rapid antigen tests and set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for asymptomatic employees, in support of B.C.’s Rapid Point of Care Testing Strategy.
Safe Screen B.C. provides businesses with the toolkits, resources and guidance to help set up onsite rapid COVID-19 workplace screening programs for employees and staff only.
At this time, Safe Screen B.C. will not be able to support companies looking to conduct screening for clients, customers, patients, visitors and family members
Safe Screen B.C. is offering info sessions to employers through this week. Please register to find out more about rapid testing in the workplace.
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You’re invited to the 2021 TIAC Tourism Congress at the Westin Ottawa on November 30 to December 1 –
in-person & online
The pandemic has changed everything. But it’s also given us the opportunity to work together, adopt new ways of doing business, and reimagine what tourism looks like post-COVID-19. Come join the Tourism Industry Association of Canada at the 2021 Tourism Congress.
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Reimagining the Future of Tourism: Rebuild, Reframe, and Rethink
November 3 & 4, 2021
We invite you to come together as a tourism community to learn from everything we've been through and think differently about how we can co-create a vibrant and resilient tourism industry in B.C. This 2-day virtual event will have thought provoking workshops and panels, opportunities to learn from tourism leaders from around the globe, and time to network with industry colleagues.
The BCRTS Tourism Summit 2021 is open to all tourism stakeholders and GSTC members at no cost.
The BCRTS is a collaboration between the following five regional destination management organizations in B.C.: Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association, Kootenay Rockies Tourism Association, Northern BC Tourism Association, and Tourism Vancouver Island.
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Seat At The Table
How do we retain and develop women of recreation, tourism and hospitality in the worst labour crisis the industry has ever seen?
WORTH Association is inviting industry professionals to attend "Seat at the Table".
Date: Wednesday, November 17th from 9-11:30am (PT)
Attendees will create dialogue, gain broader perspectives and collaborate to develop creative solutions to challenges women face in the industry. The plan is to find answers from the community & for the community, and present these findings to key stakeholders to generate industry-wide attention and action. Researchers from Capilano University and The Sociable Scientist will be facilitating the session at the Vancouver Lookout. As an entirely volunteer-driven organization, WORTH is looking for sponsors to ensure this event is a success.
Click here to learn more about WORTH and the "Seat at the Table" opportunities
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Info Session on Propel: A new wage subsidy
Need help bringing on new staff? Hiring students is a great way to build your team for short-term needs and to build a talent pipeline for the long term! And now you can access a wage subsidy of up to $7,500 through Propel, a brand new Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)!
Propel is offered through Tourism HR Canada, a Canadian organization with a mandate aimed at building a world-leading tourism workforce. Propel is specifically designed to support the tourism and hospitality sector.
Learn more about how your organization can take advantage of this federally funded wage subsidy program and how to bring on students from hospitality and tourism management, culinary arts, and other programs from across the province at this info session on Monday, November 15th at 2:00pm (Pacific).
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Announcing 2021 BC Liquor Conference Seminars
Hosted by ABLE BC, this year’s conference will take place online and in-person on Monday, October 25, 2021. A portion of the tickets are available to attend in person at Soundhouse Studios in Vancouver. The remaining are available for virtual attendance.
Note: ABLE BC will be asking for proof of vaccination from all in-person guests.
No matter where you are in the province, tune in and get the liquor industry data, trends, and policy updates you can’t get anywhere else.
2021 BC Liquor Conference Seminars
This year’s conference schedule includes:
· Industry Welcome and Update by ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard
· LCRB Update
· LDB Update
· Retail Trends and Consumer Insights with Arterra, Labatt, and Spirits Canada
· Preventing Bullying and Harassment in the Workplace with WorkSafeBC
· How to win in the bar and restaurant business with David Hopkins, The 15 Group
· Liquor Liability with Lorne Folick, Dolden Wallace Folick
· Panel discussion with ABLE BC, BCHA, and TIABC on what’s next for BC’s tourism and hospitality industries
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
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Thank you to the Federal Government for your support!
The Coalition of #HardestHit Businesses applauds the new tourism support program, announced by the federal government today, that will help our hard hit industry and ultimately benefit 1.8 million Canadian workers.
Thank you Justin Trudeau, Chrystia Freeland and Melanie Joly for hearing the concerns of Canada’s #HardestHit businesses and taking meaningful action to allow our industry to survive.
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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- Matt Coyne, President of Cantrav;
- Shawn Cheng, Digital Marketing Consultant at DAHLIA+ Agency and Conference Event Planner;
- David Gazley, Vice President, Meeting & Convention Sales and Service for Destination Vancouver;
- Ingrid Jarrett, President & CEO of the BCHA
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The story outlines the bittersweet reality of event capacity restrictions being lifted in parts of BC, highlighting that this will be a long road to recovery for the sector. |
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B.C.’s lifting of capacity limits met with optimism, questions from hospitality sector
BCHA President & CEO, Ingrid Jarrett spoke with Global News surrounding what the lifting capacity restrictions mean for the hotel and tourism sectors.
“Because of the uncertainty we’ve seen an enormous amount of meetings being cancelled across over the fall season, and of course we’re going into the winter which is our lowest-demand time,” Ingrid Jarrett.
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A coalition of Canadian cruise industry businesses are demanding the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Transport Canada engage with the US federal government to develop a plan and approach to handle the cruise ships in Canadian waters and ports. Read more.
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HOT OFF THE PRESS
Canada is launching a standard federal proof of COVID-19 vaccination system, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Thursday. The vaccine passport will show your name, date of birth, and COVID-19 vaccine history — including which doses you got, and when you got them. Read more.
The Liberal government says several existing pandemic support programs for individuals and businesses will end this weekend, while billions of dollars will be spent transitioning to new "targeted measures" leading into the spring. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said in Ottawa today that Canada is in a "new phase" following the darkest days of the pandemic and has recovered 100 per cent of the jobs lost to the crisis. Read more.
Destination BC Helps Washington & California Skiers Discover why “Our Winter is Deeper” in British Columbia On October 13, after nearly two years out of market in line with COVID-19 health orders and recommendations, Destination BC was thrilled to launch its BC ski campaign into Washington and California. Running now through February 18, 2022, the campaign leverages a diverse set of tactics including paid, owned, and earned media, and takes a unique joint marketing approach – an innovative collaboration in which BC ski partners will work together to capture leads, keep travellers engaged, and generate bookings – thereby marketing more efficiently. Read more.
Even as Canada continues rolling back restrictive travel measures designed to curb the spread of COVID-19, upcoming labour disruptions across the border threaten to damage international tourism in Canada, says the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.
The Canadian border opened to fully vaccinated American tourists in August, while the U.S. is opening its land border to fully vaccinated Canadians on Nov. 8. Read more.
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INDUSTRY TRENDS AND NEWS
Every year at HITEC, there’s a new buzzword. We remember the days of “big data”, “PCI” and “blockchain”. If you weren’t talking about them, then you weren’t hanging out with the cool kids. This year’s buzzword didn’t have people running to the store to buy jars of salsa, but instead feverishly getting their electronics orders in ASAP. Read more
How many times have you been stuck in traffic and wished you could somehow be lifted up and transported to your destination in a matter of minutes rather than spending hours on the freeway? The good news is that something potentially game‐changing is approaching along these lines. Driven by fast‐growing interest from startups, aerospace companies and venture capital, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are set to significantly disrupt urban mobility over the next few years. Read more
Data Collection Should Prioritize Quality Over Quantity Read more
I do not know about your experience, but for me growing up in the hotel world, and especially my first decade working in F&B and rooms, the adage, “Look after the guests and the money will look after itself,” was literally beat into my head. But not so fast, now I know the truth and it is this: The money never looks after itself. You, me and everyone else must have a plan and a system to “look after the money.” Read more
Many Pandemic-Borne Trends Here to Stay Read more
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Founder of WORTH Association, Joanna Jagger, shares details on
upcoming "Seate at the Table" session
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Northern BC Tourism Association CEO, Clint Faser comments on film opportunities in BC |
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