Today's update includes:

  • General Updates
  • ABLE BC | BCGEU Strike Update
  • TOTA Announces Fully Funded Hospitality Professional Program
  • go2HR | Take Survey on Tourism & Hospitality Industry
  • BC Hospitality Foundation Seeking Donations for "Hotels to Help" Online Lottery
  • Kelowna's Municipal & Regional District Tax Successfully Renewed
  • Survey | Talent MATCH Seeking Insight from Hiring Managers
  • Upskill Your Team with BC Employer Training Grant
  • News - See more below!
  • BC | Canada News
  • World News
  • Industry Trends
  • Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
  • Kiera Bourgeault, BCHA Project Coordinator, Embarks on Exciting New Chapter
  • Mark Your Calendars
  • Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
  • Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
ABLE BC | BCGEU Strike Update
Our partners at ABLE BC have their finger on the pulse of the current strike action from the BC General Employees' Union (BCGEU) which began on Monday. In a message to industry, ABLE BC Executive Director said "Like you, we believe this situation is both unfair and irresponsible. This dispute is between the BCGEU and government; it has nothing to do with you, your business, or our industry."

Many of our BCHA members also operate restaurants, bars, or liquor stores, and will be greatly impacted by this strike as well, particularly if you are carriers of "ready to drink" beverages such as Hey Y'alls, Nudes, and other spirit-based beverages. Please see the following links below for more resources from ABLE BC including industry FAQs, signage, and further information. We encourage our members to reach out to mike@bcha.com to advise on how these strikes are impacting your businesses.
TOTA Announces Fully Funded Hospitality Professional Program
Applications are now open for the Hospitality Professional Program, a fully funded virtual program delivered by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) and Okanagan College. This 17-week training program will prepare participants for a variety of positions, including supervisory positions within the hospitality sector in the Thompson Okanagan region.

This is a fantastic opportunity for unemployed, seasonal, casual, and part-time workers living in the Thompson Okanagan region (including Shuswap, Boundary Country, Similkameen, and Gold Country/Nicola Valley) or in Revelstoke. Online Course Dates: October 24, 2022 to May 5, 2023 (Mon - Fri, 9 AM - 4 PM) Apply by September 23, 2022
go2HR | Take Survey on Tourism & Hospitality Industry
go2HR wants to hear from BC's Tourism and Hospitality industry (employers, managers, supervisors and workers) on workplace safety. go2HR will use your input to help improve their programs. Complete the 3 to 5-minute survey for a chance to enter to win one of two $100 visa gift cards (at the end of the survey). If you have any questions, please get in touch with the team at info@go2HR.ca
BC Hospitality Foundation Seeking Donations for "Hotels to Help" Online Lottery
The BC Hospitality Foundation delivers necessary financial aid for individuals in the hospitality sector currently experiencing financial crisis; and after a couple of years "on pause", the Hotels to Help online lottery will be back in October! The last 3 lotteries raised $94,000+ thanks to the amazing prizes donated by hoteliers in our community.
 
The BCHF is currently gathering this year's prizes and looking for donations in kind. We ask that BCHA members consider donating a stay at your property to support. Get started by filling out the form below.
Kelowna's Municipal & Regional District
Tax Successfully Renewed
Working in partnership with the City of Kelowna, Tourism Kelowna is pleased to announce the renewal of Kelowna’s Municipal and Regional District Tax (MRDT) 5-year agreement with the province, providing key destination marketing funding to 2027.

The funding renewal coincides with the renewal of the City’s long-term service agreement with Tourism Kelowna to implement and leverage these funds to market the destination and deliver economic and quality-of-life benefits to the community.
Survey | Talent MATCH Seeking Insight
from Hiring Managers
Do you oversee hiring at your organization? Talent MATCH wants to hear from you! Take their brief survey and you’ll be entered to win one of three $50 gift cards or a donation to the charity of your choice. Talent MATCH programs provide support to museums, arts, tourism, culture, hospitality, and non-profit organizations to learn more about hiring students from post-secondary schools, information on student wage subsidies, and other resources.
 
Please submit survey by August 26th.
Upskill Your Team with BC
Employer Training Grant
The B.C. Employer Training Grant offers skills training support to employers within small, medium, and large businesses. The grant allows employers to receive up to 80% reimbursement of their training fees, resulting in both a financial benefit for employers and skills improvement for workers. Up to $10,000 is supplied per employee and $300,000 per employer annually.
 
We recommend taking advantage of go2HR courses that apply to the B.C. Employer Training Grant that includes:
  • SuperHost® Customer Service Training
  • Foundations of Service Quality™
  • Service For All™: Foundations of Inclusive Service
  • FOODSAFE Level 1 by Distance Education.
Employers can now apply using one application for an entire cohort (i.e. bulk seats). Additionally, there’s no more need to wait: applications are open throughout the year, and employers can apply as often as needed.
Industry News & Quick Links
BC & CANADA

WORLD NEWS

INDUSTRY TRENDS 
Tipping Our Hat to Industry
Kiera Bourgeault, BCHA Project Coordinator Embarks on Exciting New Chapter

Tomorrow marks our phenomenal Project Coordinator, Kiera Bourgeault's last day at the BCHA. Kiera joined the association one year ago as Sustainability Coordinator; in this role, she has been instrumental in helping accommodators across BC achieve their sustainability goals through our GoGreen and EcoFund programs. Always one to raise her hand to support the team, Kiera took on a wealth of responsibilities during her time with us, from project support and member services, to communications and more. Beyond her fabulous work ethic, Kiera has been an exceptional addition to our team and brought many laughs to our office with her quick wit and incredible sense of humour. Pursuing her next chapter, Kiera will be relocating to Victoria where she will attend Business School at UVIC. While we are excited for Kiera to start a new journey she will be sorely missed by our team:
  • "Kiera has been a tremendous advocate of our Go Green Program over the last year and has helped numerous members in starting or continuing their sustainability journey." - Mike Macleod, Director, Member & Business Development
  • "I couldn’t have asked for a better teammate for our sustainability mission. Thank you Kiera for all the help and for the great memories we shared. Good luck in your next chapter!" - Vanda Fragoso, Member Services Coordinator
  • "We will miss Kiera's enthusiasm and dedication to our industry around the office. She has become an integral part of the BCHA family" - Karissa Bourgeault, Project Manager
  • "Kiera, thank you for being the best desk buddy! I enjoyed working with her and wish Kiera all the best in her quest for knowledge. Miss you already!" - Samantha Glennie, Member Services Manager
Mark Your Calendars
BC Hospitality Foundation’s 8th annual Victoria Golf Tournament
August 23, 2022
Managing Remote & Hybrid Workforces: August 23rd Webinar
August 23
Metro Elects: Exploring the Region’s Top Issues and Opportunities
September 8
HAC & CBRE | 2023 Canadian Hotel Outlook
September 12th at 11:00 am (PST)
2022 Western Canadian Lodging Conference
October 24th - 25th, 2022 | Hyatt Regency, Vancouver
Comment Card
Meeting Planner Unite
Air Canada Capping Capacity
"In Conversation" with Beth Potter
The Power of Teaching
Last Laugh