COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

• The government has announced changes to several federal support programs - details forthcoming:
  • The Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) has been extended to December 31, 2020
  • Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) extended until June 2021
  • Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) is being changed to provide rent support directly to tenants instead of through commercial landlords. The program will flow through the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).
    • Rent and mortgage support up to 65% will be made available for hard-hit businesses through June 2021.
    • The maximum amount will be available to those experiencing income decreases of 70% or more.

BC Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant

The Small and Medium-Sized Business Recovery Grant program will invest up to $300 million in targeted financial support for some of the hardest-hit businesses in BC that employ between two and 149 BC residents and have experienced declines in revenue since March 10, 2020.
Grants of $10,000 to $30,000 are available. An additional $5,000 to $10,000 grant is available to eligible tourism-related businesses that have been hit especially hard by COVID-19.
The program runs until March 31, 2021, or until the funds are fully allocated, whichever comes first.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

Reminder: Share Your Winter Product Inventory

We are actively collecting information about the available Vancouver Winter Product Inventory to be able to effectively market the destination to potential visitors.  For the purposes of this program, Winter is described as the period between November 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021. Please complete the following form to update us on your winter operation status.

MEMBER OFFERS

BCHF Lottery: Our Beautiful Backyard

The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is pleased to announce that tickets for its online lottery went on sale yesterday until midnight on November 1st. Draw date November 2nd, 2020. Prizes for the “Our Beautiful Backyard” Lottery include first-class food, drink, and accommodations in Whistler, Greater Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Okanagan.

Tickets are available in the following packages:
• 1 for $5
• 3 for $10
• 8 for $20
• 25 for $50

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP)

Of interest to Members who are not for profits.

Do you have a planned infrastructure project that was waiting for funding, is already scoped and “shovel-ready” and would benefit your community by meeting the following requirements? 

• be for construction, development, economic investment, or cultural heritage works including renewal, rehabilitation, expansion or material enhancement of a community public project;
• be community/and or visitor-oriented, open for use to the public and not limited to a private membership;
• not be currently underway and funding may not be used for project costs that have already been incurred;
• stipulate a construction start date of no later than December 31, 2021;

Then check out the Community Economic Recovery Infrastructure Program (CERIP) 

To be eligible you must be a not for profit as outlined below: 

A Not for Profit organization that is:

• An organization incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation or society formed under an Act of Canada or the Province of BC and in good standing under the relevant Act;
• A company incorporated in BC must be in good standing with the B.C. Registrar of Companies.
• Operating primarily for community benefit, and a provider of programs that benefit the community and not solely its members’ interest.
• Delivering programs that fall within one of the CERIP streams (outlined in this document);
• Voluntary and has a broadly-based voting membership involved in the management and control of the organization and its programs;
• Engaging volunteers in the operation of the organization and/or program(s);
• With aboard whose members do not receive remuneration or other financial benefits for their services while acting in their capacity as board members.  

If you think you have a project that is scoped and shovel ready and looking for funds. Let us know and we can help you identify if it might be a good fit. Contact: Gwendal Castellan, Manager, Sustainable Destination Development 

TOURISM VANCOUVER WORKSHOPS & EVENTS

Tourism Vancouver's 117th Annual General Meeting

Registration is open!  Tourism Vancouver's Board of Directors invites you to join them for our 117th Annual General Meeting on October 29th. This hybrid limited-live/virtual event will be hosted at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver. Invitations to Voting Member contacts as well as our general membership audience have been distributed. Note that due to the current Provincial Health Order banning mass gatherings of more than 50 people, invites are non-transferable and only Voting Member contacts will be eligible to attend in person. If you did not receive your email invitation for the AGM, please contact Nastassja in Membership for assistance.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

GVBOT ECONOMIC RECOVERY SERIES: TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY IN A TIME OF COVID-19

The economic rebound of British Columbia hinges on the recovery of critical economic sectors such as tourism and hospitality. Tourism Vancouver’s CEO, Royce Chwin joins a panel hosted by the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade to discuss the short- and long-term measures, programs and priorities that will help tourism-reliant businesses survive today and transform our region for the future. Monday, November 2 at 12PM.

2020 VIRTUAL TIAC TOURISM CONGRESS

Join TIAC for two days of thought-provoking content, insights and ideas to help rebuild the visitor economy and navigate the new tourism landscape. Held on November 17^th and 18^th.

Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement

PlanetIMEX, October edition
October 12-16, 2020 | Virtual
Virtual learning and networking experience from the IMEX Group.  Dive into a world of wonder, community and connections. Friday, October 16, 09:00 - 10:20 AM EST - BestCities will be leading the session ‘Around the World in 80 Minutes’.  Michelle Taylor will be presenting on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

MPI Chicago - Trivia Night
October 27, 2020, 6:30pm-8:30pm CDT | Virtual
Join us for the MPI CAC Virtual Trivia Night: Halloween Edition via Zoom. We'll be hosting this event with multiple rounds of trivia, a break out of participants into various teams, with fun themed rounds, entertainment and silent auction! Costumes are highly encouraged and we will be crowning a winner at the end of the night! Lacy Hawley will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

ConferenceDirect - Annual Partner Hybrid Meeting
Oct 26-29, 2020 | Hybrid
The Annual Partner Meeting connects CD’s valued Partners with their Associates in one convenient event. Partners attending will meet with over 200 qualified ConferenceDirect Associates under one roof. 
Tourism Vancouver is a sponsor.  Jackie Kavcak will be attending virtually on behalf of Tourism Vancouver. 

SITE Canada – Education Day
October 28, 2020, 11:00am-5:00pm EDT | Virtual
Education Day: The Comeback Journey, promises to be an engaging and instructive gathering of your peers. Education Day will expand our thinking, prowess, and ingenuity with an agenda chock full of ace keynote speakers serving up fresh takes on relevant topics; Dialogue Dens offering small group connections; guided wellness activity, ‘snackable’ insights to ponder; and inspiring stories from those out there bringing the moxie in a time where fearlessness wins the day.
Tourism Vancouver is a title sponsor in partnership with the VHDA. Michael Drake will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

PCMA Capital Chapter - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Not Just a Talking Point!
October 29, 2020, 1:00pm-5:00pm EDT | Virtual 
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Not Just a Talking Point!, will offer a thought-provoking session on unconscious bias, a hands-on workshop to develop the skills and language you need to mitigate biases, showcase a meaningful conversation around race, and more.
Tourism Vancouver is a program sponsor.  Jackie Kavcak will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

MPI Ottawa - Prix Prestige Awards Gala 2020
October 29, 2020, 5:00pm-6:30pm EDT | Virtual
The MPI Ottawa Prix Prestige Awards are designed to recognize excellence in active chapter members for their commitment, service and involvement in the chapter or industry and community at large.  MPI Ottawa’s Prix Prestige Awards reflect the best of the best in the meetings industry and are awarded each year under the following categories: Planner of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Student of the Year, and Rising Star. There are also two special categories bestowed at the discretion of the President: Honourary Member, and the President’s Award.
Michelle Taylor, Tourism Vancouver, will be presenting the Planner of the Year award.