TIABC Presents Municipal Elections 2026 | Make Tourism’s Voice Heard

TIABC members are invited to a special webinar focused on strengthening tourism advocacy ahead of the 2026 municipal elections.

Hosted by TIABC CEO Amber Papou and featuring Mark Jiles, President & CEO of Bluestone Government Relations, the session will provide practical guidance on using TIABC’s Municipal Election Toolkit, engaging effectively with candidates, and communicating the value of tourism within local communities.

Date: Wednesday, September 9

Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm - Virtual

Join us to learn how you can help ensure tourism priorities are part of the municipal election conversation across British Columbia.

DBC | Updated Regional Profiles Available

Destination BC (DBC) has released updated Regional Tourism Profiles, featuring the latest economic indicators and 2024 regional tourism data from BC Stats.

Covering all six tourism regions; Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, Kootenay Rockies, Northern BC, Thompson Okanagan, Vancouver Island, and Vancouver, Coast & Mountains, the profiles provide valuable insights into tourism’s contribution to local economies.

The updated data is designed to support tourism businesses, destination organizations, Indigenous tourism partners, local governments, and industry stakeholders with planning, investment, destination development, and informed decision-making. Explore the updated Regional Tourism Profiles in the link below.

Tourism HR Canada and CTA Partner to Strengthen Culinary Tourism Workforce

Tourism HR Canada and the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen workforce planning, research, and professional development across Canada’s culinary and agritourism sectors.

The partnership combines Tourism HR Canada’s labour market and workforce expertise with CTA’s leadership in culinary and agritourism development. Together, the organizations will collaborate on labour market data and research, engage businesses to identify workforce needs, and help advance national priorities focused on attracting, training, and retaining a resilient tourism workforce.

Read the official announcement HERE.

Raise a Glass for Summerland | Support #SummerlandStrong

British Columbians looking for a way to support Summerland can do so by choosing and enjoying wines produced by the community’s local wineries.

TIABC is supporting the efforts of Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC), the BC Restaurant & Foodservices Association (BCRFA), the Alliance of Beverage Licensees (ABLE), and Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive Association to encourage restaurants, retailers, and wine lovers across the province to put a spotlight on Summerland wines.

Restaurants and retailers are encouraged to feature Summerland wines, create special displays, recommend local producers, and share what they’re pouring using #SummerlandStrong.

Whether ordering a bottle at a neighbourhood restaurant, discovering a Summerland wine at a local retailer, or sharing a favourite producer with friends, it’s a simple way for British Columbians to support Summerland’s wine community. Learn more HERE.

Know Before You Go | Helping Visitors Travel Safely and Confidently

Tourism operators can play an important role in helping visitors travel safely and confidently by incorporating “Know Before You Go” information into their communications.

A Reminder: Destination BC provides resources and guidance that businesses can share through websites, social media, pre-arrival messaging, and guest communications. These tools help connect travellers with trusted, up-to-date information on road and travel conditions, emergency alerts, weather-related impacts, and responsible travel practices.

By sharing reliable information before and during a visitor’s trip, tourism businesses can help guests make informed decisions, adjust their plans when necessary, and enjoy a safer and more positive travel experience in British Columbia.

Canadian Tourism Award Nominations

Close September 4

After a busy summer, take a moment to recognize the dedication, innovation, and excellence that make Canada’s tourism industry shine.

Nominations are now open for the Canadian Tourism Awards, with categories celebrating achievements across the sector. From Business or Event of the Year to Culinary Experience, Indigenous Tourism, and more. Nominate your organization or recognize a deserving industry colleague by September 4.

Learn more and nominate HERE.

In Memoriam | Randy Williams

TIABC was saddened to learn of the passing of Randy Williams, a respected leader whose career in Canada’s tourism and hospitality sector spanned several decades.

Throughout his career, Randy held senior leadership positions with prominent tourism organizations across the country, including serving as President and CEO of Tourism Calgary from 2009 to 2013. Prior to that, he spent eight years as President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), where he represented and advocated for Canada’s tourism sector at the national level.

Randy’s leadership and contributions left a lasting mark on Canada’s visitor economy and on the many colleagues and industry partners who had the privilege of working alongside him.

TIABC extends our sincere condolences to Randy’s family, friends, former colleagues, and the many people throughout the tourism community who were fortunate to know and work with him.

AI Adoption in Tourism | Building Habits That Hold

Your team came back from the AI workshop energized. Two weeks later, everyone was back in the same documents, doing the same work the same way. The tools are still paid for. Nobody opens them. Sound familiar?

In this piece, Peter Pilarski breaks down why a single session won't change a habit, and what makes AI stick inside a tourism organization: work real enough to transfer, an owner for the adoption, and a governance layer that tells staff what they're allowed to do. He walks through what that looked like at Tourism Ch'illiwack (30% faster content creation, 30% fewer manual marketing tasks) and Community Futures BC (50% less time on administrative documentation across 34 offices), plus the one thing every organization should do before booking any AI training at all.

Bluestone Government Relations



Bluestone Government Relations is a full-service Government Relations and Public Affairs firm, providing clients with advice on matters dealing with political lobbying, marketing-to-government campaigns, strategic corporate communications support, government procurement and bid opportunity positioning.

Learn more about Bluestone Government Relations HERE.

CONFERENCES & SPECIAL EVENTS

BC Hospitality Foundation | 11th Annual Victoria Golf Tournament

This year marks a major milestone. It is the 11th Annual Victoria Golf Tournament and the 20th Anniversary of the BC Hospitality Foundation. For two decades, the Foundation has supported hospitality workers across BC. This special event helps ensure that support continues for years to come.

Date: August 26, 2027

Location: Cordova Bay Golf Course, Victoria

Learn more and purchase tickets HERE.

UBCM Convention

Registration is now open for the 2026 UBCM Convention.

Dates: September 14-18

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Vancouver

Register before July 31 for early bird pricing. Registration includes access to all Convention sessions. Additional fees apply for lunches, the agricultural tour, and the banquet.

Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

Save the Date | Wine Capital Weekend 2026

Wine Capital Weekend returns, welcoming visitors and locals alike to three days of wine, craft beverages, live music, food, and community celebration in Canada’s Wine Capital.

Dates: September 18 - 20 | Oliver

From the energy of the Kick-Off Party to the excitement of Cask & Keg and the iconic Festival of the Grape, the weekend showcases the very best of the South Okanagan during peak harvest season. Note: Early bird pricing is still available! Purchase tickets HERE.

BC Rivers Day | September 27

The 46th annual BC Rivers Day is happening on Sunday, September 27. Whether your group is planning a shoreline cleanup, guided paddle, restoration project, interpretive walk, community celebration, or educational event, you are encouraged to share your event with the wider BC Rivers Day and recreation community.

Learn more and register your event with the Outdoor Recreation Council of BC HERE.

Mountain Biking BC To Deliver Industry Roundtables

Join Mountain Biking BC this fall for their industry regional roundtables! Mountain Biking BC is bringing together tourism and mountain bike sector partners this fall through two collaborative MTB Industry Roundtables. These roundtables are designed to align regional priorities, strengthen partnerships, and help shape the future of mountain biking in British Columbia. These working sessions will focus on practical discussion, networking, and provincial initiatives that support trail development, tourism, and the mountain bike sector.

Kootenay MTB Industry Roundtable

Dates: October 1–2, 2026 | Nelson, BC

Hosted by Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism and the Nelson Cycling Club. REGISTER HERE.

Vancouver Coast & Mountains MTB Industry Roundtable

Dates: October 18–20, 2026 | Powell River, BC

Hosted by Sunshine Coast Tourism and the qathet Regional Cycling Association. REGISTER HERE.

TOTA AGM and Summit - "Confluence & Conscience: Investing in a Sustainable Future"

Mark your calendars! The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) AGM & Summit will soon bring together tourism leaders, partners, and stakeholders from across the region to connect, share ideas, and explore opportunities shaping the future of tourism.

Dates: October 7 - 8, 2026

Location: Coast Kamloops Hotel

Inspired by Kamloops’ geography, this year’s Summit explores the intersection of economic investment, community-driven sustainability, and Indigenous tourism collaboration.

Registration is now open. Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

VCM Industry Forum

The next VCM Industry Forum will be held on Oct. 15 in North Vancouver. 

Connect with tourism partners from across the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains (VCM) tourism region for a day of learning, discussion, and relationship-building. Together, we'll discuss opportunities to strengthen partnerships and create positive impacts for communities and businesses.

Registration now open! REGISTER HERE.

2026 Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Summit & AGM

The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism is excited to host the 2026 Tourism Summit & AGM.

The event will welcome delegates from across the region and all areas of BC's tourism industry to connect, network, gain knowledge, and support the tourism industry and economy. Designed to educate, provide networking opportunities, inspire new ideas, and recognize outstanding industry leaders in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast, the Summit offers valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and celebration.

Dates: October 19–21, 2026

Locations: P’egp’ig’lha Community Centre (Summit & AGM) and Royal Canadian Legion Branch #66 (Awards Gala), Lillooet

Learn more and REGISTER HERE

2026 Northern BC Tourism Summit

Join tourism professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders for the 2026 Northern BC Tourism Summit. Connect through keynote speakers, hands-on workshops, and panels focused on the future of tourism in our region.

Dates: October 20 - 22

Location: Coast Prince George Hotel, Prince George

Gain fresh insights, spark new partnerships, and help shape a thriving visitor economy in northern BC. 

Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

2026 Vancouver Island Stewardship Summit

Final Call for the EARLY BIRD Rate

The 2026 Vancouver Island Stewardship Summit, presented by FortisBC, will bring First Nations, tourism business owners, staff members, community leaders, and residents together for a 1.5 day event in Ucluelet, BC.

The 2026 program will focus on the efforts of stewardship through destination management and collaboration. Speakers will provide tangible, inspiring presentations for attendees. The full day event will also include a State of the Region presentation from 4TVI.

October 22 - Evening Kickoff, hosted by Tourism Ucluelet, Community Partner.

October 23 - Stewardship Summit Day, presented by FortisBC.

For additional Summit details, visit HERE.

Final call for $199 EARLY BIRD rate; available until July 31.

The Kootenay Tourism Summit

This 2-day event is the largest gathering of tourism professionals in the Kootenay Rockies region and provides awesome opportunities for networking, professional development and peer learning. There are so many incredible things happening in the tourism world in the Kootenays and they are excited to showcase them with you.

Date: October 27 - 28

Location: Best Western Plus Fernie Mountain Lodge

Learn more and REGISTER HERE.

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.

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.

Save The Date | 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. 

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.

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.