Applications Now Open for Canada Summer

Jobs 2027

The Government of Canada has opened employer applications for the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) 2027 program, with a deadline of December 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Eligible employers include not-for-profit organizations, public sector employers, and private businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees. Funding covers up to 50% of the applicable minimum wage for public and private sector employers, and up to 100% of minimum wage plus mandatory employment-related costs for not-for-profit organizations.

The 2027 program will prioritize employment opportunities for youth aged 15 to 30 in the following areas:

• Construction
• Environmental and climate-related activities
• Developing digital skills or gaining exposure to artificial intelligence
• Not-for-profit organizations supporting underserved and equity-deserving communities

Tourism businesses and organizations are encouraged to explore this funding opportunity to support summer employment and workforce development.

Learn more and APPLY HERE.

Spirit of Hospitality Lottery Closes Soon!

The Spirit of Hospitality Lottery is back for its 8th year, and TIABC is joining in celebrating the BC Hospitality Foundation’s 20th anniversary with 20 prizes for 20 years, including three early bird draws.

Running through November 4, this year’s lottery features more than $35,000 in prizes, including luxury getaways, a Rocky Mountaineer rail tour, golf experiences and more. Every ticket purchased helps support the Foundation’s important work across British Columbia.

BC Pavilion Corporation Receives National Recognition | Employer Impact Champion Awards

TIABC extends its congratulations to member BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo) on being named one of eight recipients of Tourism HR Canada's Employer Impact Champion Awards, presented at the Belong Forward Leadership Forum. The awards recognize tourism employers and organizations demonstrating leadership in advancing disability inclusion and creating more accessible and welcoming workplaces.

As operator of the Vancouver Convention Centre and BC Place Stadium, PavCo has demonstrated its commitment to accessibility through inclusive hiring initiatives, staff training, and enhanced guest services at major events, including the Taylor Swift concerts and Invictus Games. TIABC congratulates PavCo on this well-deserved recognition and its continued efforts to advance accessibility and inclusion within British Columbia's tourism industry.

Learn more HERE.

Prince of Whales Contributes $55,000 to Killer Whale Research

Prince of Whales Whale and Marine Wildlife Adventures has contributed $55,000 to support the Center for Whale Research and its ongoing study of endangered Southern Resident killer whales in the Salish Sea. Celebrating 50 years of research, the Center maintains the longest-running dataset on the population’s behaviour, health, and social dynamics.

Through its Conservation Fund, Prince of Whales directs a portion of every tour sale toward marine conservation, research, and education. This latest contribution will support the research vessel Mike 1, enabling continued fieldwork and collection of vital data to help protect killer whales in British Columbia’s waters.

Learn more about the Center for Whale Research HERE.

How One Ski Resort Built an AI Task Force That Sticks

Many tourism businesses have a few people quietly using AI and others who aren’t sure how they feel about it. This spring, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort in Wyoming set up an AI task force to close that gap. The CEO sits on it, and the other seats go to one front-line representative from each department.

Those representatives act as AI champions. They learn the tools, prove the time savings on their own work and then teach their coworkers. One of them, Dane Swanson, used to spend about an hour turning a weekly report into an executive summary, and he built a workflow that now does it in 10 to 20 seconds. His habit is easy to copy. When he’s about three minutes into a tedious task, he stops to ask whether AI could help. A person still checks every output before it goes anywhere.

The same pattern works for a small business. In a two-person tour company, the owner is the leader at the table, the most curious person on the team is the champion, and the first project is one repetitive task, timed before and after.

Read the full post or watch the episode in the following link.

Tourism Sun Peaks

Tourism Sun Peaks is the official destination marketing and management organization (DMO) for Sun Peaks, in the Thompson Okanagan region.

The organization operates as the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Association, a not-for-profit representing approximately 1,500 members, including accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retailers, and homeowners. 

Learn more about Tourism Sun Peaks HERE.

Photo Credit: Thompson Okanagan/Sun Peaks Resort

CONFERENCES & SPECIAL EVENTS

Register Today | Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference

You are invited to attend a historic gathering! Save the Date for Canada’s National in-person Campground owners convention - the 2026 Canadian Outdoor Hospitality Conference.

Dates: November 1 - 4, 2026

Location: Sheraton Vancouver Airport Hotel

CampEx brings together more than 50 exhibitors, hands‑on workshops, and energetic keynote speakers, making it a prime place to explore new ideas, tools, and best practices for running a successful campground. Owners from across Canada are welcome — whether you’ve been in the industry for years or are attending for the first time.

Don’t miss out. Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

ITBC Annual General Meeting and Indigenous Tourism Gathering

This Indigenous Tourism Gathering is a milestone that belongs to everyone. ITBC welcomes all members to join in and to set a new direction for the next 30 years.

Dates: November 4 - November 6, 2026

Location: Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, Downtown Vancouver

This event is for Indigenous tourism operators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Two days and two nights of cultural connection, real conversation, and bold ideas. 

PNWER Infrastructure, Trade and Tourism Forum

The Forum will bring together over 150 legislators, policymakers, and private sector members from throughout Canada and the U.S. to develop a collaborative approach to modernizing infrastructure that moves people and goods across our region more efficiently. The event will also feature a debriefing session on the outcomes and lessons learned from the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Dates: November 12 - 13, 2026

Location: Sandman Signature Vancouver Airport Hotel, Richmond

Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Event

Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

2026 Tourism Congress

The Tourism Congress is Canada’s leading and only national-level event bringing together all sectors of the industry. The 2026 Tourism Congress is all about ACCESS: Unlocking Canada’s Tourism Advantage.

Dates: November 17 - 19, 2026

Location: Fredericton, NB

Early bird registration is now open! Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

Yes Shef Vancouver 2026

Canada’s Premier Celebration of Women in Food and Beverage

Mark your calendars, the countdown to Yes Shef Vancouver 2026 starts now.

Date: November 18

Location: Fairmont Pacific Rim, Vancouver

This unforgettable evening of incredible food will bring together top culinary talent for a celebration of flavour, mentorship, and leadership. 

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference | "A Decade of Impact - From Vision to Practice"

The 10th anniversary of the IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference is taking place in beautiful Victoria, BC.

Dates: January 24 - 27, 2027

Location: Victoria Conference Centre

Register now to reserve your pass to a transformative dialogue around sustainability and regenerative tourism in Canada, and around the globe. Leaning into the topics of human connection to place, biodiversity, resilience, and driving action, 2027's conference aims to build on a decade of progress to shape the future ahead.

Early bird registration is now open! Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

VCM Industry Forum

The Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) Industry Forum is scheduled for:

Date: Tuesday, January 19, 2027

Time: 8:45 am - 5:00 pm

Location: Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier, North Vancouver

Updated details to the Forum will be distributed in advance.

BCHA 2027 Summit

The British Columbia Hotel Association invites you to the 2027 BCHA Summit.

Dates: May 10–11, 2027

Location: Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel

Under the theme, Resilience: Leading Through Change, BC’s hospitality community will come together for two days of timely insights, valuable connections and celebration.

Early bird registration is now open! Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

Taste of Place Summit Coming to Kelowna in 2027

The Taste of Place Summit is heading to Kelowna, bringing together tourism and economic development leaders, marketers, producers and changemakers from across Canada and beyond to explore the future of culinary and agritourism.

Dates: May 17–18, 2027

Hosted by the Culinary Tourism Alliance in partnership with the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, the two-day summit will showcase the region’s culinary and agritourism experiences while providing opportunities to exchange ideas, build connections and explore strategies for creating authentic tastes of place.

Learn more HERE.

Learn More | The READI™ Program

The READI™ program is designed to support the growth and resilience of Canada’s tourism industry. Whether you’re an independent business or an organization looking to support your members, READI™ gives tourism operators practical tools, training, and support to handle challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.

Participants can choose from various designation categories based on their organizational focus and goals. 

Learn more about the READI™ program HERE.