COVID-19 UPDATE & GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

• On Monday, November 30th the Federal Government announced its Fall Economic Statement. Key support measures for the tourism industry include:
  • Creation of the Highly Affected Sectors Credit Availability Program (HASCAP). This program will offer eligible businesses loans of up to $1 million, with a 10-year term. The loans will be lent by financial institutions but backed by the federal government.
  • Expanding and extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy The current cap of 65% will be bumped up to 75% of eligible wages until March 13, 2021.
  • Extending the current subsidy rates for the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy to March 13, 2021.
  • Topping up $500 million to the Regional Relief and Recovery Fund delivered through the Regional Development Agencies.
    
    

Tourism Vancouver is proud to be part of the Coalition of the Hardest Hit businesses and adding our voice to advocacy efforts. We are glad to see that the federal government has heard the concerns of our industry and addressed some of them in the Fall Economic Statement with targeted support measures for tourism, hospitality, travel, arts and other hard-hit businesses.

• The federal government has extended travel restrictions for all individuals seeking entry into Canada from a country other than the US, until January 21, 2021.

Business Events Industry Survey

The BC Meetings and Events Industry Working Group has been working hard on your behalf for several months. In our communication plans for the Provincial Health Office, we would like to share data that clearly demonstrates business events under 50 people have taken place this year in a safe and healthy manner following all required protocols. For your reference, click to review the BC Meetings & Event Covid-19 Safe Restart Guidelines.

If you or your company or organization have organized a business event please click on the link below and complete the very brief survey.

TOURISM VANCOUVER NEWS

Karen Soyka Joins Tourism Vancouver as Vice President, Strategy & Business Development

Tourism Vancouver is pleased to welcome Karen Soyka to the Tourism Vancouver team as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development. As part of the organization’s senior leadership team, Karen will be responsible for the rebuild of the organization to deliver on the 2021-22 Business Sprint that will position Vancouver as a leading destination in support of Vancouver’s tourism industry.

Karen will lead Tourism Vancouver’s destination promotion team including business insights, corporate communications, leisure promotions, sales and public relations, and the Visitor Centre.

Karen joins us from Alberta where she has spent 24 years as part of the tourism industry. Her experience includes resort operations, destination development, domestic and international business development and promotion, stakeholder relations, and strategic planning. Throughout her career, Karen has collaborated with domestic and international governments, industry, and the private sector, always with a focus on building strong teams and strategic partnerships globally. Her most recent years saw her as a member of the senior leadership team at Travel Alberta

Karen considers tourism one of the most important industries globally to connect people and build strong economies. In her words, “I’m eager to join the Tourism Vancouver team and be part of the rebuild of this vital industry. 2020 has had a devastating impact on entrepreneurs, businesses, and the millions of people working-in or relying-on tourism. We have much work ahead in continuing to restart tourism, and ensure it returns strong and sustainable for the businesses and residents of Vancouver. A resilient Vancouver is critical for British Columbia’s visitor economy and the future restart of Canada’s tourism industry when conditions allow travel to resume more fully. I look forward to meeting with partners to understand their needs and determine how we can best work together.” 

Karen’s first day at Tourism Vancouver was Monday, November 23rd. Please join us in welcoming her to the Vancouver tourism community!

Event & Festival Forum Recap

Thank you to all of those who attended our first Event and Festival Producer forum on November 17th. It was a great start to many more open forums to discuss the return of Live Events in Vancouver. If you were unable to join us for the session, recordings of segments are available to view here:

• CEO Welcome, Royce Chwin
• Event & Festival Forum

After reviewing the post event survey and hearing from you, we have started to shape our Tourism Vancouver strategy, aimed at supporting your initatives and a safe return to Live Events in Vancouver. More forums for event producers are planned for later this month and early in 2021.

Post Event Slides and Survey summary

BUSINESS RESOURCES

Shout-Out to Local - BC Buy Local Week

This week is BC Buy Local Week - an annual celebration of the unique contributions that B.C. businesses make to our economy. 

To show your love of local, our Social Media team has created this handy Instagram template for you to use to create your story.  Simply tag your favourite local businesses using the "sticker" option, tag us @inside_vancouver and use #BCBUYLOCAL. 

Encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

DVBIA - De-Escalation Training Webinar with Vancouver Coastal Health

December 8 | 2PM - 3PM | Virtual

The DVBIA in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health invites you to a webinar on the topic of de-escalating conflict.  Learn how to identify situations that may require strategic interventions and get tips on how to engage in conversations that can help to de-escalate the situation and diffuse difficult behaviour in a safe and effective way.  Free for DVBIA members.

INDUSTRY EVENTS

Business Events - Destination Canada

Business Events Research Webinar
December 10 | 11AM - 12PM PST | Virtual

This industry webinar will provide an update on the current impact of business events and Canada's Business Events recovery and restart framework. Presentations by Chantz Strong, ED, Research & Analytics, and Angela Trunzo, Market Intelligence Analyst, Business Events.

Meetings & Conventions – A Fresh Perspective on Engagement

PCMA Capital Chapter U-Night
December 03 | 5PM -7PM CST | Virtual

Let your hair down, set up your charcuterie tray and grab your beverage of choice!  Get ready for an exciting evening as we all get together for awards, games, music and fun with your industry peers to honor our volunteers, chapter leaders and outgoing board and committee members. Jackie Kavcak will be attending on Tourism Vancouver’s behalf.

PCMA Canada West - Virtual Cold Drinks, Hot Topics - Holiday Festivities Lunchtime Edition
December 04 | 11AM - 12PM PST | Virtual

Join us for the final 2020 virtual edition of our popular networking series “Cold Drinks, Hot Topics”. This month, it’s an all-out holiday celebration – with themed trivia games, the return of our cocktail competition, and lots of LOLs with familiar faces and new friends. We invite you to get involved – come ready with your holiday-themed spin on hot chocolate, a festive Zoom background, and holiday cheer. Free for active PCMA Canada West members. Non-Members may attend for only $15.00 CAD! Owen Chiu will be attending on behalf of Tourism Vancouver.

Association Forum - Honors Gala
December 14 | 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 | 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’ve 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.

PCMA Capital Chapter - Virtual Lunch & Learn Series

Back tot eh FUture: Forecasting What's Next in our Industry
December 17 | 12PM - 1PM CST | Virtual

In an effort to round out the 2020 industry roller coaster ride, this year’s final Virtual Lunch and Learn as a way to reflect on what we’ve learned and how we foresee 2021 evolving. This session will be an open dialogue about forecasting and budgeting for next year albeit, virtual, hybrid or hopefully in-person events. Jackie Kavcak will be attending on Tourism Vancouver’s behalf.