RTLF a Huge Success

Inspirational Speakers

The series of seminars began with a welcoming address by Mayor Greg Gardner, Mayor of Squamish. He was followed by keynote speaker, Peter Legge of Canada Wide Media, who gave insight into leadership qualities and reminded us to never waste a day.

Sessions continued with Alisa Choi Darcy of Cross-Cultural Strategy, who explained tactics that tourism businesses can implement in order to tap into the growing new immigrant market. Alisa also introduced us to the word "globish", the simplest form of English and a valuable tool for interacting with new Canadians. Attendees to the forum also explored the positives and negatives of Fire Sales and their impact on tourism with an enthusiastic panel including Ian Maw, Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa, Rob Gialloreto, Tourism Victoria, and McKay Wood, Big Bus. The panel was moderated by Rodney Payne, Think Social Media who led the group in a discussion about the pros and cons of using fire sales to to fill seats, rooms and sell tickets.

Other key information sessions included: “Multi-Generational Travel” with freelance travel writer Crai Bower, “Going Green” with Charlie James, Green Tourism Canada, possible corporate savings with “Cloud 101”, Nigel Collett, T4G Limited and “Online Reputation Management” with session expert Daniel Edward Craig.

The forum closed with special guest speaker, Susan Rybar, Assistant Deputy Minister with the Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. Ms. Rybar shared some of the upcoming marketing plans for tourism in the province and strategies as the industry moves forward towards 2020.

Many of the speakers have kindly provided copies of their presentations. Click here to view and download.

Thank you to all of our speakers for ensuring that the 2011 Regional Tourism Leaders Forum was packed with educational and inspirational messages.

Most Valuable Marketing Partner Award

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is pleased to announce that the 2011 Most Valuable Marketing Partner Award was awarded to Tourism Langley, Tourism Abbotsford and Tourism Chilliwack for their creation of the multi-jurisdictional marketing campaign "Handpicked in the Valley - where adventures take route".

While the three communities purposefully work independently on their strategic tourism plans, "Handpicked in the Valley" was developed to be a tailor made approach to meet the attitudes and needs of their visitors. They all agree, by commenting "with our communities continued success of programs such as the Circle Farm Tour, this program focuses on all of the attributes of our communities, while also sharing what we have in common."

The goal of this program is to increase overnight stays by creating more awareness and leveraging in the uniqueness of each community. Additional goals include increasing the target audience, adding more value to the visitor, and overall, creating a larger tourism impact in the region.

Our sincere congratulations to Tourism Langley, Tourism Abbotsford and Tourism Chilliwack!

New Board of Directors & AGM

We are pleased to announce the new Board of Directors, who began their two-year term on June 1 at the 39th Annual General Meeting in Squamish. At the Board's first official meeting, David MacKenzie of Pemberton Valley Lodge was elected to serve as Chair of the Board of Directors.

Representing the Sunshine Coast:

Marlene Cymbalist, Painted Boat Resort Spa & Marina

Eagle Walz, Powell River PAWS (Sunshine Coast Trail)

Linda Williams, Coast Cultural Alliance

Representing Sea to Sky Country:

Kirstin Clausen, Britannia Mine Museum

Ian Lowe, The Crystal Lodge & Suites

David MacKenzie, Pemberton Valley Lodge, Chair

Representing Mighty Fraser Country:

John Aldag, Fort Langley National Historic Site

Joey Beltrano, Coast Chilliwack Hotel

Terry Raymond, Tuckkwiowhum Band

Representing Metro Vancouver:

Murray Atherton, Eaglecliff Hospitality

Pat Carlson, Metropolis at Metrotown

Roland Monteiro, River Rock Resort

Leah Nyhus, Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, North. Vancouver, Vice Chair

Rick Sair, Best Western Uptown, Treasurer

John Stibbard, Capilano Suspension Bridge

Past Chair - Randy Loor, Hyak Wilderness Adventures

Click here to find Annual General Meeting reports from the outgoing Chair, Treasurer and President & CEO.

And the winners of the Amazing Race are ...

Congratulations to Ian Lowe, The Crystal Lodge & Suites, Margaret McCormick, MInistry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation, Kathleen Harvey, MInistry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation and Wendy Magnes, MInistry of Jobs, Tourism & Innovation for their impressive victory in this year's Amazing Race! Six teams competed in an adventure race around Squamish that had competitors scaling rock walls, river rafting, mountain biking and beer tasting. Great fun was had by all and we extend a big thank you to Tourism Squamish and Canadian Outback Adventures for organizing this years event. Our winners received, in addition to the glory of victory, a bottle of Howe Sound Brewing Company's finest ale!