The article below was written primarily by the Tourism Industry Association of BC.

 The BC Tourism Industry Conference was held February 27 to March 1st in Vancouver with over 500 delegates in attendance. The conference provides a forum for tourism businesses and stakeholders from around British Columbia to come together to learn from experts and each other about the key issues, challenges and best practices in the industry.

 The engaging workshops provided several key takeaways:

• Regardless of whether it’s sport, meetings, economic or social development, building partnerships with the public and private sector delivers incremental results over what any organization can do on their own;
• There are plenty of opportunities for cannabis tourism but government is playing catch up with things like insurance, travel and ways you can experience it;
• From a sustainability perspective, communities need to change their vocabulary to responsible, respectful and resourceful tourism;
• A barrier to a person with a disability is a barrier to making a profit;
• Brand trust takes years to build by delivering on promises and only a moment to lose to failing on that promise;
• Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne suggested that all BC mayors should attend the conference to learn about current industry issues and to connect with operators. She suggested an "adopt a mayor" sponsorship category, similar to the student program;

B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare was on hand to introduce the Province’s new ‘Strategic Tourism Framework’, an undertaking by the Ministry that was a year in the making. The framework sets the stage for how Government will help grow and support BC’s visitor economy through three primary pillars, as well as through Destination British Columbia.

The gala awards dinner recognized tourism organizations and individuals for their achievements over the past year. TIAC was very proud to co-sponsor the BC Destination Marketing Organization Association Professional Excellence Award, which was given to Tourism Kelowna for their world-class efforts.

Congratulations to our friends at The Tourism Industry Association of British Columbia (TIABC) for organizing a great event. We look forward to next year’s conference, March 4 to 6 in Victoria. Find out more.