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July 8, 2009
In this issue:
We've got Money!
Planning for next year and beyond
Another Successful RTLF
Upcoming Marketing Opportunities
2010 Tourism & Hospitality Survey
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Customer Satisfaction Survey 2009
Stop Credit Card Company Gouging Now!
Want Cash? A Safe Workplace Pays Off
Who is Kayla Seib?
Babies, babies, everywhere!
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We’ve
got money!
Yes, it’s true, and we need your ideas
to spend it. Of course there are catches! These are Tourism
Partners program funds, so
we need you to invest with us.
You’re telling us that business could be better
(maybe a big understatement for many of you!), and we’re
looking for input on what tactics might work to bring customers
to your door
this summer and fall. What would you like to do now that you
don’t
have enough money for that you would be willing to invest with
other businesses and work with us to make it happen?. Put your
own groups together if you like, and bring your consolidated
ideas
to us.
Which markets are likely to bring the most immediate results?
Can your sector outperform others? Are there opportunities that
no-one else in BC is thinking about? Have your colleagues in other
parts of Canada found a way to boost their business?
Will you help us by measuring the success of tactics, and share
your learning?
These challenging times do give us lots of
questions that we don’t
have answers for, so let’s share our thoughts and do something
to make a difference and yet not waste scarce financial resources.
Call Kevan at 604-638-6930 or Andrea at 604-484-5366,
or by e-mail to kevan@vcmbc.com or andrea@vcmbc.com.
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Planning
for next year and beyond
Our minds are already working on what happens after
the Olympics are over as we begin the planning process for
our next fiscal year, from April 1, 2010 – March 31, 2011,
and for several years after that. How can we best capitalize on
the
attention to our region that we have enjoyed during the Olympics?
Where do we see the highest possible return on investment?
Over the next couple of months, we will be speaking
with our business and community partners to listen to your
ideas on what tactics in which markets should be included in our
marketing
plan. It’s more than just marketing, though, as the region
continues to evolve from a pure regional destination marketing
organization into a regional destination management organization.
Activities such as presentations to Mayors & Councils
help to keep tourism in the minds of the politicians as they decide
on support for their community organizations and their economic
development work. Meeting with developers to provide our thoughts
on their plans help to evolve their projects. We’re often
asked to comment on other issues such as the highway maintenance
program in our region.
So, this global view of our region needs to be built
into a business plan that includes, but expands beyond, destination
marketing. This is our task for the next couple of months, leading
to a full review by our newly-elected Board of Directors in October.
Please send your thoughts, recommendations,
constructive criticism on current activities and anything
else that is on your mind that could help this planning process
to
kevan@vcmbc.com.
Listening to you has made our region strong
over the years, and will continue to do so in the future, so,
please, take a few minutes to send an e-mail.
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Another
Successful RTLF
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains would
like to thank all of our Tourism Partners who came out to make
the 2009 Regional Tourism
Leaders Forum at Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina in Pender
Harbour a huge success. We’d also like to extend a special
thank you to the staff at Painted Boat for the warm welcome and
for providing first class service and mouthwatering meals (I’m
still thinking about the grapes & goat cheese canapés!).
Much was learned about social media marketing, the
2010 Tourism Consortium and ways to implement sustainable practices
in a business
savvy manner. Enjoy this sampling of photos and visit the VCM
flickr gallery for more!
Leah Nyhus, The Historic Lund Hotel
and Irene Sturzenegger, Go West Campers
The spectacular view at Painted Boat
Resort Spa & Marina
Randy Loor, Hyak Wilderness Adventures (outgoing Chair)
and Mike
Cafferky, Vancouver Trolley Company (incoming Chair)
If you have any questions about the RTLF or about
Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
in general please contact Kevan Ridgway at 604-638-6930 (kevan@vcmbc.com).
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Upcoming
Marketing Opportunities
The following are some of the marketing opportunities current
being offered by Vancouver, Coast & Mountains. For questions about
marketing opportunities please contact Andrea Schmidt, Regional
Marketing Specialist (604-484-5366 or andrea@vcmbc.com
WestWorld
BC Campaign: WestWorld BC is
the largest circulation magazine in Western Canada and offers
a great variety
of local, regional and international travel features.
VCM Rate: From $1,832
BC Magazine
Campaign: Take advantage of BC Magazine's Fall 2009
issue which highlights scenic drives, First Nations culture, outdoor
adventure and the upcoming Olympic Games.
VCM Rate: From $1,850
Black Press
Campaign: Showcase your business in 6 community newspapers
in the Victoria region over a period of 5 weeks – a total
of 30 ad appearances! Also includes an online campaign on all corresponding
community newspaper sites.
VCM Rate: $675
G.R.A.S.P: This opportunity with Canwest Global allows you to
showcase your business as a sustainable tourism leader demonstrating
sound environmental practices. Through television commercials,
photographs, Simon Sees video and b-roll, your business will definitely
demand attention.
VCM Rate: $6,240
Brochure Distribution
Program: For $0.50 each, your brochure (up
to 4” x 10”) is included in VCM consumer inquiry mailings.
This
campaign includes one year of brochure mailings anywhere in the
world and
quarterly
geographical
market reports of where your brochures are going PLUS we do all
the work! It doesn't get much better than that!
VCM Rate: Starts at $0.50 / brochure
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2010 Tourism & Hospitality
Staffing Survey
The countdown to the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games is on. With
less than 8 months to go, it is important that businesses in
the Tourism and Hospitality industry are prepared for the challenges
that this opportunity will bring. Although labour shortages have
abated, the 2010 games will present their own unique staffing
challenges.
The demand for temporary workers immediately prior to and during
the games is expected to be high.
As you know, VANOC, corporate sponsors and contractors alone will
need more than 35,000 workers and volunteers. Most of these people
are expected to be recruited locally.
Whistler will experience a spike in business during the Olympics.
It is anticipated that Whistler businesses will experience volumes
that are 20% higher than a busy Christmas season. Other areas that
are close to an Olympic venue will also experience a significant
short term spike in business during this time period. On the other
hand businesses that are not near a venue may see a decline in
business.
We are aware that some businesses are expecting to adjust their
operations to 24/7 to take advantage of this opportunity and/or
to adjust to the change in business conditions during the Olympics
(delivery schedules, venue peak periods etc.). However, it is important
to gauge just how prepared our industry is from a staffing perspective
for the Olympics
go2 has prepared a brief survey that has three objectives;
- Ensure
that businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry in
the Lower Mainland and Howe Sound areas have thought about the
potential impact the Olympics and Paralympic games may have
on
their staffing requirements immediately prior to and during
the games;
- Assess the demand for workers in our industry
during the games, and
- Assess their level of preparedness
The survey closes July 20, 2009 and go2 would appreciate your
feedback! It should take less than 10 minutes to complete and individuals
completing the survey will be entered into a draw for a limited
edition Olympic Silver Coin.
Take
the 2010 Tourism & Hospitality Staffing Survey.
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Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
Customer Satisfaction Survey 2009
The BC Ministry of Transportation and
Infrastructure is conducting a survey regarding the services that
it provides. Your participation
is voluntary but your input would be much appreciated. Your responses
will be kept confidential.
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/survey/css_survey.aspx
The survey will take approximately 10 minutes.
If you have any questions about this survey, please contact Deborah
Miller, A/Senior Manager, Business Services at (250) 387-7592,
or email at Deborah.Miller@gov.bc.ca.
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Stop
Credit Card Company Gouging Now!
The British Columbian Restaurant and Food Services Association
and the StopStickingItToUs Coalition have appealed in front of
the Senate and House of Commons to bring an end to the gouging
of merchants by credit card companies, the banks that issue their
cards and the acquirers/processors.
Their coalition has been successful in getting the government's
attention on this important issue and now your personal participation
is vital to pressuring government to act! MPs and Senators need
to know just how important this issue is for you and your business.
It only takes a moment to have your voice heard and make a difference
Go to: http://stopstickingittous.com/take-action and follow three
quick and easy steps to send a letter and/or postcard to your MP.
There is sometimes an air of resignation about rising fees and
charges from banks, processors and credit card companies. It is
as though there are so many of them that there's no way for merchants
to fight back. Well there is a way to fight back and by taking
action today, you'll be doing your part.
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Want Cash? A Safe Workplace
Pays Off'
go2 has launched a new Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)
division, in partnership with WorkSafeBC, to provide health and
safety programs to BC tourism and hospitality employers. Currently
WorkSafeBC offers rebate cheques of up to 15 per cent on the annual
industry base rate for employers who implement effective Health
and Safety and Return to Work programs. These financial incentives
are available through the Certificate of Recognition program (COR)
that go2 will soon be administered through this new division.
This newest go2 offering is a win from both a human resources
and financial perspective. Injury prevention and re-employing injured
workers keeps staff rosters healthy and productive. Annual rebate
cheques for COR certified employers help the bottom line each year,
with additional long term savings to be gained as injuries are
reduced and the duration of claims shortened. Over time, fewer
accidents industry-wide will help lower the industry base rate.
Employers are invited to contact Robert Clark at 604-633-9787
ext 238 to learn how to earn a COR certificate or to participate
on an industry committee to help develop the program. An OH&S
section is currently being developed on go2’s website providing
employers and employees with 24/7 access to resources, from generic
health and safety programs and best practices to a database of
courses available to prepare for the COR.
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Who is Kayla Seib?
Kayla Seib joined the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Marketing team last month and thus far, she is a woman of many
colours (and shoes!). She admits whole-hearted to being a shopaholic,
often bragging about her thrifty wardrobe finds from Winners and
clearance sales. Like her eclectic collection of shoes, Kayla brings
a plethora of knowledge and skills to the VCM office.
As a recent BCIT graduate of the Marketing
Management (Tourism) Program, Kayla’s education extends beyond
what she learned in the classroom. Her tourism experience includes
a practicum with
SportsMark and Best of Both Golf & Ski where she gained skills
in marketing, advertising and event coordination. As VCM’s
Marketing Project Coordinator, Kayla will focus on cooperative
marketing project planning. Kayla’s savvy shopping skills
mean she understands the importance of making a deal and in her
new role she is committed to the implementation of creative and
valuable marketing opportunities for the region and its tourism
partners.
When Kayla isn’t sale shopping for new threads, she enjoys
dining out with friends at the many restaurants in the region,
spending time with her family in her home town of Langley, and
visiting her family’s cabin in the interior of BC. Kayla
is excited to be a part of the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains
Marketing team and is looking forward to meeting and working with
all of VCM’s partners.
Kayla can be reached at 604-638-6931
or by email at kayla@vcmbc.com.
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Babies,
babies, everywhere!
 The VCM stork is working overtime this week! We are thrilled
to announce that Jane Stark, VCM’s
Community Marketing Specialist and her husband Mike
welcomed little Elizabeth
Paige Stark to the world in the wee hours of Monday, July 6.
Mommy, Daddy and Elizabeth are doing wonderfully and we congratulate
them
on the newest addition to the family!
We are equally thrilled to announce that Darlene Tandon, Graphic
Designer with the now closed West 2nd Design, and her husband Amit
welcomed little Ravi Tandon in the early morning of Wednesday,
July 8. Ravi and his tired parents are doing well and we wish them
much happiness, and sleep! (Unfortunately we don't have a picture
of Ravi yet ... he's too new!)
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Your feedback is most
welcome on any subject – please e-mail kevan@vcmbc.com. |
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