COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

• Businesses can now apply for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy program through the CRA. Organizations who have seen a drop in revenue due to COVID-19 may be eligible for a subsidy to cover part of their commercial rent or property expenses, starting on September 27, 2020, until June 2021.
  Qualifying organizations can apply for the subsidy without the need to claim the assistance through their landlords. For more information and instructions on how to apply, visit the Government of Canada’s website.

• Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry has extended her order that suspends all events and social gatherings to reduce COVID-19 transmission. The order is in effect from November 19, 2020 at midnight to December 7, 2020 at midnight.

  • Mask requirements in public indoor settings: Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced yesterday that the mandate is now part of the Emergency Program Act and those who are found in violation can be fined $230. Masks are now required to be worn by all British Columbians, 12 years and older.

• For full details on the current province-wide restrictions, visit the Government of British Columbia’s website.

• The federal government’s Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy program (CEWS) has been extended to June 2021. The current subsidy rate of up to 65% of eligible wages will remain until December 19, 2020. 
  Until June 2021, a base subsidy of employee wages is available to all eligible employers that are experiencing a decline in revenue, with the subsidy amount varying depending on the scale of revenue decline. A top-up subsidy of up to an additional 25% is available for those employers that have been most adversely affected by COVID-19.

•  The US-Canada border closure has been extended to December 21, 2020

TOURISM VANCOUVER NEWS

Tourism Vancouver Holiday Campaign Update

Last week, Dr. Bonnie Henry announced an extension to her order on province-wide restrictions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 across communities. We recognize that this has impacted many members and their ability to operate. The order is in effect until December 7th, though it is possible and likely that we may see these measures extended again.

Our team has been staying close to government briefings and taking into account the current environment where case numbers are continuing to increase, we have made the difficult decision to pause the development of our holiday campaign until there is more clarity from the Provincial Health Office around the current restrictions being lifted. 
In keeping with our Business Sprint approach presented at our AGM last month, we are conscious of the need to be nimble within the current COVID-19 landscape. Our marketing promotional elements and activations for the holiday campaign have been kept deliberately flexible to ensure we can apply campaign strategies to other time blocks. We will re-assess all plans as restriction details become clearer in the first week of December. If the current PHO restrictions are not lifted on December 7th, our team will most likely shift all holiday plans and investments into Q1 2021 in support of our member businesses, and other winter or seasonal offers and opportunities.

We recognize the sizable investments and work that has been done by our industry to not only be safe but to create seasonal experiences that add to the vibrancy of our destination. Tourism Vancouver will continue to support and promote your holiday and festive activities through all of our owned channels and other means, as much as possible, and in accordance with PHO orders. 

2021 Membership Dues Update

At Tourism Vancouver’s 117th Annual General Meeting, Royce Chwin, President and CEO of the organization, acknowledged the extreme strain that COVID-19 has brought on the industry and announced that membership fees for all existing paid members would be extended to the end of 2021 at no extra charge. An official confirmation letter will be sent to members next week with more details.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

Apply Now! WTTC Safe Travels Stamp

Currently, Tourism Vancouver has registered 63 businesses who have signed on to the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp. 
This is a tremendous response in the first couple weeks of the launch of the program in Vancouver. We encourage tourism businesses who now have the stamp to speak to other partners in their supply-chain ecosystem who are customer facing to sign on for the stamp.
If your business is in one of the following categories, please click on the link below for additional details on how you too can register!
• Hospitality (hotels and restaurants)
• Outdoor shopping and retail
• Aviation
• Airports
• Tour Operators
• Convention Centres, Meeting, Events, and organizers
• Attractions
• Short Term Rentals
• Car Rentals
• Insurance
• Adventure Tourism

MEMBER ACCOLADES

Venue West - 50 years of Planning with Purpose!

Venue West Conference Services was originally founded as Venue West Vancouver by four brave women as a small catering and service business in 1969. In 1970, they decided to focus on organizing meetings for local associations.

Venue West has managed about 1,000 conferences and events in over 30 countries around the world. It is one of only five companies in Canada, and less than 150 in the world, certified by IAPCO to manage an international congress.

Congratulations to Venue West this milestone, and carrying on the legacy of four female pioneers in the Vancouver Meetings and Conventions industry!

BUSINESS RESOURCES

BC Restoring Confidence Program: App & Local Business Poster 

The Restoring Confidence App is part of the B.C. government’s Stronger BC for Everyone, Economic Recovery Plan and was developed jointly by the Ministries of Jobs, Economic Development and Competitiveness; Health; and Citizens’ Services.
Thrive Health (who build the COVID-symptoms app) and FreshWorks Studios are contracted to build the tool. 
The Restoring Confidence App is core to connecting consumers and operators in a mutual understanding and rebuilding customer relationships in the COVID-19 period.
 All businesses can apply to be part of the program for free. Having your Local Business Poster in the window serves as a uniform symbol for customers that you your business has committed to creating and sharing your COVID-19 Safety Plan.

How does it work?
Businesses must: 
• Provide basic business and contact information (multiple locations possible within the same application); 
• Upload an up-to-date COVID-19 safety plan (PDF preferred); 
• Agree to core statements that summarize the core principals required by the PHO to tackle the pandemic. 
• Download the system generated custom Local Business Poster, with a QR code 
• Print the poster on a standard printer on 8.5 x 11 paper. 
• Post the custom poster in an easy-to-see location in their business, like a front window.

Promote your participation:
• Take a photo of our Local Business Poster on display – including a team member in the photo is even better.
• Share on your social media with us (Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/Linkedin) be sure to tag @myvancouver and your local BIA, sector association and municipality. 

Start Me Up BC Campaign

St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon is set to kick off the Start Me Up BC campaign in 2021, which will allow everyone across BC to save lives from sudden cardiac arrest.

To support the campaign launch at Crescent Beach, St. John Ambulance will be joined by special guests and speakers, including municipal, provincial and federal government members, sudden cardiac arrest survivors, and even two special Olympic athletes!

The campaign is centred around bystander accessibility to automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In the event of sudden cardiac arrest, CPR paired with an AED can increase the chance of survival upwards of 75%.

These lifesaving devices are crucial to protect those residing in BC, as well as those visiting from other provinces and countries. The tourism industry is an incredible value here in BC, with thousands of must-see spots across the province, many of those being in Vancouver. In 2019, there were over six million international visitors, which is six million extra people that at any given moment could be at risk of a cardiac health emergency.

“Nearly 80% of sudden cardiac arrests occur in public places or at home. The bystander’s ability to access an AED within minutes is absolutely crucial,” said Ken Leggatt, interim CEO of St. John Ambulance BC & Yukon. “Whether it’s a tourist hot spot, a hotel, a national park, a beach, or a downtown core, an AED should always be within close reach. That’s what Start Me Up BC is all about.”

Read the full details here. For questions and enquiries, contact campaign lead, Leanne Strachan, Strategic Partnerships & Business Development:

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Destination Canada

Business Events Industry Webinar
November 27th | 11am PST | Webinar Passcode: 950995
Join Gloria Loree, Senior Vice President, Marketing Strategy & Chief Marketing Officer and Chantal Sturk-Nadeau, Executive Director, Business Events where they will provide an update on Destination Canada’s corporate strategic direction and an update on Business Events planning for 2021. Time for discussion will be allotted as we want to hear from Team Canada partners. read this document prior to the webinar.

Meetings & Conventions - A Fresh Perspective on Engagement

MPI Toronto - Virtual Holiday Gala Variety Show
December 1, 2020 | 5pm – 7pm EST | Virtual
This year, experience all the righteous fun of the MPI Toronto Holiday Gala Variety Show from the comfort of your own homes. Join us virtually on December 1st for some groovy music, stellar entertainment acts and classic 70’s themed fun!  MPI Toronto is proud to be supporting the Breakfast with Santa Foundation once again. This foundation works within the community to provide nutritional solutions and life skills programming to children in need. 
Tourism Vancouver is a program sponsor.  Michael Drake and Michelle Taylor will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver. 

Association Forum – Honors Gala
December 14, 2020 | 4pm – 6pm CST | Virtual
Association Forum’s 2020 Honors Awards program will provide accolades and recognition to three outstanding association professionals and at least one supplier partner member of Association Forum for their outstanding achievements in advancing the association management profession. DJ and virtual dance party before and after awards! 
Lacy Hawley and Jackie Kavcak will be attending virtually on behalf of Tourism Vancouver. 

Association Forum – Holiday Showcase
December 15 & 16, 2020 | Day 1: 12pm – 5pm CST ; Day 2: 8am – 3pm CST | Virtual
For the last 32 years, Holiday Showcase has been a celebration of the Chicagoland association community. In a year like no other, Holiday Showcase remains the best way to connect association communities from across the country. In a brand-new, two-day virtual experience, we have designed a program to help you make 2021 a success.  
Lacy Hawley will be attending and running a virtual tradeshow booth on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.