Message from BCHA Chair, Bryan Pilbeam |
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Good afternoon accommodation community,
Two years ago today, our industry was on the precipice of a crisis.
BC had only just declared a public health emergency. We had no idea what was in store for us and the devastation that would lie ahead. At this time two years ago, many of you were facing challenging decisions and asking difficult questions we never imagined we'd be asking ourselves.
Am I going to be able to keep my staff employed?
Will I have to close my business?
How will I get through this?
When we reflect on how we felt in those early days of the pandemic, it highlights how truly monumental it is that we have come this far. On March 11, we wrapped the second annual BC Tourism and Hospitality Conference in Richmond, presented by the British Columbia Hotel Association and the Tourism Industry Association of BC.
This event marked the return of our industry as we came together for the first time after two years of restrictions on gatherings and events. The energy and excitement was palpable, and frankly, it was emotional to be with one another once again.
This conference was all about looking forward, kickstarting our comeback, and finally closing the chapter on COVID-19. And as we celebrated the removal of our mask mandate, it felt as though we were truly marking the beginning of a new era ahead.
Over the course of the conference and the Rev Up! pre-conference hotel track, it became clear that while the pandemic delivered unimaginable devastation, it also presented opportunity – opportunity to learn, opportunity to grow, and opportunity to build back better.
Quite simply, this is an obligation required by each of us.
While the questions have changed, we must continue reflecting and self-examining as we did in the early days of the pandemic.
How can I grow?
How can I support others in our industry?
How can I be better?
Finally, I want to share an important reminder that we desperately need everyone's voice to support our advocacy efforts. Ahead of the federal budget being announced, we are at a critical juncture and must ensure that the needs of our industry are communicated loud and clear. I urge you to meet with your MP, send a letter, and encourage everyone in your network to do the same. Please click here for a complete toolkit or see details below.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Bryan Pilbeam
Chair, British Columbia Hotel Association
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Today's update includes:
- General Updates
- go2HR Launches Important New Training Program | Safer Spaces
- Access Wage Support for Summer Student Placements | Tourism HR Canada
- Jobs Added, Unemployment Falls, but Labour Shortage Remains
- Sign Up for Destination BC's Tourism Digital Academy
- Canada Digital Adoption Program
- DBC Research & Insights
- Take the Gender Equity Audit! | WORTH Association
- GoGreen Tip of the Week!
- HAC REMINDER | Your Action Is of CRITICAL Importance
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Explore the BC Employer Training Grant (ETG)
- Sign Up! | Capilano University Hiring Fair
- BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) Golf Tournaments Return with New Addition!
- News - See more below!
- BCHA Inn the News
- Tourism businesses say it will take years to recover from COVID-19 restrictions
- Hot Off the Press
- BC | Canada News
- World News
- Industry Trends
- Tipping Our Hat to Industry!
- Melynda Loder Named Dual Director, Sales & Marketing of JW Marriott Parq Vancouver & the DOUGLAS, Autograph Collection Hotel
- Mark Your Calendars - see below!
- Comment Card | Thoughts and Comments from Our Industry
- Last Laugh | A Little Something to Make Our Members Smile
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go2HR Launches Important New Training Program | Safer Spaces |
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go2HR has launched the first online training course, as part of their Safer Spaces initiative to raise awareness about and help prevent sexual harassment in the workplace.
- Safer Spaces: Creating Sexual Harassment Free Workplaces in BC’s Tourism and Hospitality Industry is a free online course that supports employers and supervisors in creating workplaces that are free from sexual harassment.
- Safer Spaces was designed by a team of experts convened by go2HR. The project team is united by a commitment to reduce the stigma around workplace sexual harassment and a desire to champion the topic as an integral element of workplace education and training.
- Grounded in storytelling, the course opens with a scenario at a tourism business where a new manager faces a potential disclosure of sexual harassment involving a worker. Participants learn, along with the characters, how to respond to the situation appropriately and how to implement important measures to help prevent sexual harassment in the future.
Safer Spaces is a three-year initiative developed by go2HR, with support from Justice Canada, to raise awareness about and help prevent sexual harassment in tourism and hospitality workplaces.
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Access Wage Support for Summer Student Placements | Tourism HR Canada |
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Jobs Added, Unemployment Falls, but Labour Shortage Remains |
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Tourism HR Canada has released its monthly Canadian Tourism Snapshot.
While declines in the size of the overall tourism labour force persist, tourism employees continued to return to work and find available employment opportunities this past month.
Seasonally unadjusted data released for February 2022 shows that, at 1,856,800 workers, Canada’s tourism labour force still falls short of the 2,152,000 workers that made up the industry pre-pandemic this same month in 2020.
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Sign Up for Destination BC's
Tourism Digital Academy
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Canada Digital Adoption Program |
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Earlier this month, the Government of Canada launched the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), which will provide $4 billion over four years to support up to 160,000 small and medium-sized businesses in launching or improving their online presence. Eligible businesses can apply to access one of two streams:
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Grow Your Business Online: Provides micro-grants of up to $2,400 to put towards e-commerce opportunities/technology.
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Boost Your Business Technology: Provides grants of up to $15,000 to cover up to 90% of the eligible costs of hiring a digital advisor.
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45% of BC Residents Planning Overnight Trip in BC Over Next 2-3 Months
- Destination BC’s latest Resident Perception report shows that 45% of BC residents plan to do an overnight trip in BC within the next 2-3 months, up +10 points from a month ago.
- READ MORE
Google Search Interest in Flights to Canada Reaches Pre-Pandemic Levels
- Destination BC’s latest Research Roundup reports that international Google search interest in flights to Canada is comparable to pre-pandemic levels.
- READ MORE
Tourism Industry Dashboard: Year in Review
- Full 2021 data is now available on our Tourism Industry Dashboard, which includes key tourism statistics such as international visitor arrivals data, provincial room revenue, commercial restaurant receipts, provincial and regional occupancy rates and average daily room rates, and more.
- READ MORE
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Take the Gender Equity Audit! | WORTH Association |
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On November 17th, 2021, WORTH Association brought 50 industry professionals together at Vancouver Lookout for a solutions-oriented workshop. CapU students, The Sociable Scientist, and WORTH Board of Directors led participants through a series of discussions on inclusion, rewards, advancement, retention, flexibility and fair treatment.
In the first study of its kind in BC, they worked to determine how we we can collectively ensure more women take a seat at the table. From these findings, they compiled recommendations and best practices to support the empowerment of women in our industry.
We strongly encourage organizations to perform this self-audit to understand their current involvement in retaining and developing women of recreation, tourism and hospitality. Sign up today to become a member of WORTH!
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HAC REMINDER | Your Action Is
of CRITICAL Importance
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If our industry wants to secure more financial support, we need to fight for it TODAY.
If you have not yet contacted your Member of Parliament, please do it today. We need to remind the Government that our industry needs support to build back. HAC has developed a Roadmap to Recovery and our proposals are in front of key decision-makers today.
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Explore the BC Employer Training Grant (ETG) |
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The B.C. Employer Training Grant program (ETG) supports skills training to address provincial labour market needs. The program is delivered by the Province of British Columbia and is funded by the Government of Canada through the Workforce Development Agreement (WDA).
The goal of the ETG is to help British Columbians access the skills training needed to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market while encouraging employer involvement in the training of their employees.
Employers are eligible to receive up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 – March 31). Reimbursement amounts vary between 60% and 100% depending on the training stream. If approved, employers are to pay for all costs in full and, after training has started, submit a reimbursement claim.
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Sign Up! | Capilano University Hiring Fair |
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Are you looking to hire for co-op and full-time positions? If so, plan to join us at Capilano University's Celebratory event that is a cross between a job fair and a networking event.
When: Tuesday, March 29 from 3:00 - 5:30 pm
Where: Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, North Vancouver
Who: Open to all CapU students; by registration I see the majorities are Tourism students and Business students
How: Each employer will be given a high table (bring two reps) to network with students and faculty. Finger food and drink tickets are included.
Employer Sign-up: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/295470278557 (Tourism & Hospitality employers are given a 50% discounted rate as they have a school of Tourism Management and want to help Tourism students get jobs before summer!)
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Share Feedback on BC Pandemic Response Submit by April 20, 2022 |
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The Province is launching an independent review and public consultation on government’s operational response to the COVID-19 pandemic to better inform preparations and responses to future emergencies and ensure British Columbians are protected.
Until April 20, people in British Columbia can provide written feedback about how they, or their business/organization, have been affected by government’s operational measures and communication throughout the pandemic.
A report with a comprehensive summary of the findings is expected by fall.
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The BCHF is excited to announce the launch of our new Okanagan tournament.
The inaugural Okanagan tournament kicks off the golf season in May followed by legacy tournaments in Vancouver and Victoria this summer. Registration is now open for all three tournaments.
Annual Golf Tournaments are important fundraising events for the foundation. Funds raised help hospitality workers across BC each year that are in a financial crisis due to a medical condition.
BCHF Tournaments attract over 130 golfers in each city and are known to be a fun-filled networking event for owners, managers, and suppliers. These events are a great opportunity for team building initiatives and to celebrate your partners and suppliers.
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Inaugural Golf Tournament
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Vancouver Golf Tournament
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Industry News & Quick Links |
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BCHA INN THE NEWS
HOT OFF THE PRESS
BC & CANADA
WORLD NEWS
INDUSTRY TRENDS
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Tipping Our Hat to Industry
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Dan Bain Named Executive Chef of Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort
Celebrated chef Dan Bain has been named the Executive Chef of Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort! Having played a significant role in the success of the property's culinary portfolio, this news comes as no surprise!
"In all [his] positions, Dan has cared about food, his team and cuisine. Dan is a passionate and creative leader, with a clear focus on delivering amazing experiences for our guests. Throughout his career he has showcased his fantastic knowledge, dedication, commitment and passion to the kitchen and hotel team. We are looking forward to his continued contributions to his incredible team and our guests."
Congratulations Dan!
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May 8, 2022 – May 11, 2022
IMPACT is a collaborative national dialogue on innovation. The dream to create a legacy for sustainable and regenerative tourism in Canada is stronger than ever, and your voices are needed.
Join in on a national conversation on sustainable tourism, as delegates and speakers explore and compare models for tourism recovery. Hear from some of the most creative and innovative experts in the business and address our new reality of higher expectations, for and of visitors.
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2022 Annual BC Economic Summit
Date: April 3rd 1:30 PM to April 5th 2:30 PM
The British Columbia Economic Development Association (BCEDA) is presenting its 2022 Annual BC Economic Summit in a virtual format with the theme of Reconciliation and Resiliency - A Future for BC. This is an opportunity to highlight success stories, lessons learned, share cutting-edge ideas, and engage your colleagues at the premier event for economic development practitioners in British Columbia.
Click here to learn more and to register.
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Canadian Hotel Investment Conference
Date:April 5-6, 2022
Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel
REGISTRATION TO OPEN IN FEBRUARY
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Mar 29, 2022 | 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM
Host: GreenStep Sustainable Tourism
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Mar 29, 2022 | 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Host: Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association & Indigenous Tourism BC
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Register Now! Vancouver Island Tourism Conference 2022
April 12 - 14, 2022
Tourism stakeholders in the Vancouver Island region are invited to attend the in-person return of the annual Vancouver Island Tourism Conference, powered by Tourism Vancouver Island. It will be held April 12-14, 2022 in Victoria, B.C. at the Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. This year’s conference will focus on Mindful Travel: The health of our environment; The health of our industry; The health of our people. The early bird rate is $375 until February 11th (Regular rate is $475 until March 28th). Learn more and register here.
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Comment Card | Click on Image for More |
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Westin Bayshore
Celebrates Career Fair
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Peak Pride Returns at Big White |
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Join Canadian Resort &
Travel Association
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Scam Alert | Please Do Not Engage |
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