In This Issue:

• BCLCA Staff and President Say Farewell to Anne Philley Who is Retiring After 22 Years Working for Members
• Association News Bytes September 27 2024
• 2024 Election Tool Kit prepared by the Tourism Industry Association of BC
• Camper's Code Blog Series "Control Your Pets"
• BCLCA Ideas Forum November 4 - 6 at Manning Park Resort - Mix with your Peers!
• NBCTA Update| Great Northern Circle Route Signage Program
• Final Call for BCLCA Board Nominations - Deadline October 5, 2024

BCLCA Staff/Contractors and President Say Farewell to Anne Philley Who is Retiring After 22 Years Working for Members

From Left: Joss Penny Executive Director, Fiona Wray Bookkeeper, Michael Chang Webmaster, Patricia Cashin Communications Consultant, Anne Philley Member Services, Jaimie Oswald Videographer, Darlene Oswald Social Media Manager, Jamie Cox BCLCA President

ASSOCIATION NEWS BYTES SEPTEMBER 27 2024

Check out BCLCA's schedule of events and activities. Stay up-to-date with industry happenings and participate in the webinars and forums.

Advocacy & Marketing News

The BC Provincial Election is scheduled to take place October 19, 2024, and the industry has worked collaboratively with Tourism Industry Association of BC on a 2024 Provincial Election Toolkit. See article below.

The BCLCA board on September 26th met with Alison McKay, VP Destination Management at Destination BC to discuss Iconics Destination BC’s new approach to branding and supporting the development of compelling Iconic routes and places, and how it can benefit our sector and your organization – Destination BC will be hosting a workshop on November 6 at the Ideas Forum to gather input from the membership. Members will share their thoughts and ideas on how we can work together to implement the Iconic brands through marketing and destination development.

Joss Penny, Executive Director presented at the Sector (Sep 18) and DMO Coop (Sep 26) sessions hosted by Destination BC and spoke about the work and marketing tactics the Association administers on behalf of the Camping and RVing BC Coalition – see campingrvbc.com.

Joss Penny, Executive Director presented at the RV Dealers Association of BC AGM on September 11 and gave a snapshot of the health of campgrounds and RV parks in BC. 

Education Services

Registration is open for the BCLCA Ideas Forum November 4 – 6, 2024 at Manning Park Resort – download the registration form HERE. For the detailed agenda, please visit https://bclca.com/ideas-forum-agenda-2024/

CampEx 2024: Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario hosted by the Canadian Camping and RV Association takes place November 17-20, 2024. This is the first face-to-face national convention for the campground industry in more than a decade. For more information visit https://cohce.ca/

Supplier News & Special Offers

The Firecircle, Mike Macleod and Deneen Allen attended the BCLCA board meeting on September 26^th to discuss their 5x5 Method™ to enhance the business techniques of entrepreneurs to maximize profits/opportunities. Mike will be coming to the Ideas Forum so don’t miss the opportunity to connect. - https://www.thefirecircle.ca/a/2147960087/gZstHpw2

Reminder - Superior Propane has provided BCLCA members with the following rates valid until May 31, 2026. The rates are: Under 10,000 litres 0.5929 and Over 10,000 litres 0.5629. To sign-up for the program contact the BCLCA office at office@bclca.com

Announcements

Membership Payments: Thank you to the members who have promptly paid their dues invoices for 2024/25. The decals and appreciation letters have been mailed. Please proudly display the BCLCA decal.

Retirement: After 22 years of service to the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association the voice of the office Anne Philley has retired.

Super Camping / Select Lodging Guide sales began in September for the 2025/26 publication. Anne has agreed to carry on the sales as a contractor when she returns from vacation in early December. To reach Anne please email scbc@bclca.com.

BCLCA President Jamie Cox presents Anne Philley with retirement gift.

Have a great trip to Australia Anne and see you December 2nd.

2024 ELECTION TOOLKIT PREPARED BY THE TOURISM INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF BC

With the provincial election campaign underway the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC) has released its Election Toolkit. As you know, the BCLCA is a member of TIABC and Jamie Cox, President sits on their board and has been part of the election toolkit review.

The toolkit provides a wealth of resources to better inform you of the current political landscape, what the implications for tourism may be, and how to engage with politicians and candidates.

The election toolkit also addresses the value of tourism to British Columbia and informs us on what the tourism and hospitality priorities are, breaking it down into seven key areas of importance.

• Tourism as a Business Sector
• Transportation
• Workforce
• Investment
• Policy & Regulation
• Education
• Housing

The comprehensive toolkit expands on these areas by providing recommended questions to ask candidates, for example:

“What is your party position on a more timely and efficient dispute resolution process at the Residential Tenancy Branch to expedite reviews vis-à-vis licence to occupy disputes related to campgrounds, campers, motor homes, and travel trailers?”

Please download the 2024 TIABC Election Toolkit at https://files.constantcontact.com/23050cbb001/76959da4-f661-447d-ad3f-1a4178ca4382.pdf

We hope you will use the toolkit and ask questions of the candidates in your riding. As a reminder election voting day is October 19th.

CAMPER'S CODE BLOG SERIES: "CONTROL YOUR PETS"

The fifth blog in the Camper's Code Blog Series has recently been released, entitled "Control Your Pets".

The blog discusses how camping with your pets (mainly dogs) can be a rewarding experience, offering them the chance to explore new environments and bond with you in nature. However, it also comes with responsibilities. Keeping your pet safe and ensuring they don’t disrupt wildlife or fellow campers is crucial.

The key aspects of the Camper’s Code that relate to pet control are:

• Respecting wildlife – after all, we are in their backyard.
• Respecting staff and signs – know where your furry family member can and can not go. 
• Respect others – your pet is not a fan for everyone, there are people who fear different animals for different reasons.
• Don’t litter, your pet waste needs to be disposed of properly as believe it or not it is still an attractant for wildlife.

Read the blog HERE.

Watch the video HERE.

Editors Note: The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association is the lead agency for the Camping and RVing BC Coalition and oversees the day-to-day Camper’s Code operations. Members are encouraged to share the Camper’s Code nine principles with their guests and invite them to take the pledge to practice camping responsibly.

BCLCA LODGING AND CAMPING IDEAS FORUM NOVEMBER 4-6 AT MANNING PARK RESORT - COME MIX WITH YOUR PEERS

The Forum Agenda includes a variety of presentations and sessions from key partners and speakers, the theme is “Working Together for Our Success” and Jamie Cox, President, in this video invitation explains why you should consider attending.

The cost is only $249 + GST per delegate thanks to the generosity of our sponsors - WorkSafe BC, Signature Risk, Rona, Western Financial Group, First Data and Pathfinder Ventures.

To register yourself and other delegates for the Ideas Forum, download the form https://bclca.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Ideas-Forum-Registration-2024.pdf

Accommodation - provided by member Manning Park Resort who are offering rooms from $114/night plus tax – Call Front Desk 604-668-5922 and quote BCLCA AGM guest.

Check out the full agenda - https://bclca.com/ideas-forum-agenda-2024/

We hope to see you at Manning Park Resort!

NBCTA UPDATE: GREAT NORTHERN CIRCLE ROUTE SIGNAGE PROGRAM

The Northern BC Tourism Association (NBCTA) has reached a major milestone with Phase 1 of their Signage Project. Thanks to provincial funding through the Targeted Regional Tourism Initiatives Fund, and after three years of outreach and working with the Gotta Go Committee, their community partners, interpretive writer, design, fabricators and installation team, pile drivers, and the NBCTA team, they are excited to update that interpretive signs for Sikanni Chief, and Steamboat have been delivered and installed. Installation is slated for Mile 202, Peterson North, and Army Hill later this month.

NBCTA is grateful to all who made this project become a reality and look forward to working with other partners to advance Phase 2 and Phase 3.

Please reach out to April Moi at april@nbctourism.com or Martina Bancroft at martina@nbctourism.com for more information.

FINAL CALL FOR BCLCA BOARD NOMINATIONS – DEADLINE OCTOBER 5, 2024



In accordance with the constitution and bylaws of the BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association we hereby provide the third and final notice of call for nominations for positions on the Board of Directors of the Association.

The Board of BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association is a policy/governance Board and is driven by its Mission, Vision, and Core Operating Values. We are seeking active members that are dedicated to maintaining the future success of the Association. Nominations close on October 5, 2024, at 4:00 pm.

If you are interested in letting your name stand for a two-year term, please contact Joss Penny at jpenny@bclca.com. Information on what is required of a director, the committees, and likely meeting schedule, along with a nomination application form will then be provided.

Applications will be vetted by the Nominating Committee and applicants will be advised if they have been added to the slate of nominees by Monday, October 21, 2024.

Third Notice of BCLCA Annual General Meeting

The BC Lodging and Campgrounds Association Annual General Meeting (AGM) is being held in person on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, from 5:00 pm at Manning Park Resort.

During our Annual General Meeting Members will be asked to formally vote on various motions, including:

• Motion to approve the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting.
• Motion to approve the accountant’s report for the previous fiscal year.
• Motion to approve the upcoming year’s budget presented by the Treasurer.
• Elect board members who serve for a two-year term.
• Motion to allow the board to appoint auditors for the following fiscal year.



Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. Note pre-registration is required.

The AGM is part of the BCLCA Ideas Forum November 4 – 6, 2024 at Manning Park Resort. To register visit https://bclca.com/annual-lodging-camping-ideas-forum/