Regional tourism stakeholders, industry representatives and community leaders gathered in Quesnel to participate in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association’s (CCCTA) recent annual general meeting.
Saturday morning was packed full of educational presentations and workshops.
100 Mile House photographer Chris Harris covered “The Power of Photographic Narratives – How to use photography to tell your story and brand your tourism product.”
Expedia’s Jeminah Hu discussed how current trends and new programs at Expedia can grow tourism for stakeholders of the CCCTA.
Go2HR Society CEO Arlene Keis announced a collaborative and unique job-sharing pilot project with the CCCTA that is aimed at helping tourism businesses’ find employees in an ever increasing competitive market.
Afternoon sessions included Jody Wall’s “Google My Business – Taking ownership of your brand on Google” to ensure CCCTA members are found and that the information is accurate.
Destination British Columbia’s Kathleen Lorentsen and Mary Elliott presented an insightful workshop on how to align tourism business imagery with the province’s new “Wild Within” brand.
Saturday night’s CCCTA 2015 Tourism Industry Awards were presented at the gala dinner, following the Tourism Industry Association of BC CEO Walt Judas’ keynote address.
The new CCCTA Board of Directors for 2016 was also announced.
“I am honored to lead our dynamic and dedicated board of directors, says CCCTA chair Pat Corbett from Corbett Resort Management Ltd.
“The hours, passion and expertise that these individuals donate to the organization are invaluable as we strive to move the region to the next level of international tourism marketing and development.”
2016 board of directors: chair Pat Corbett, Corbett Resort Management Ltd.; vice-chair Andre Kuerbis, AFK Consulting; secretary/treasurer James Douglas, Barkerville Historic Town; Ernest Hall, Creekside Studio Gallery; Leonard Ellis, Bella Coola Grizzly Tours; Miriam Schilling, Xatśūll Heritage Village; Anton Forster, Danfor Developments; Mike Retasket, Aboriginal Affects Consulting; and
Scott Elliot, City of Quesnel councillor.
Sunday morning sessions included Dean McKinley, economic development director for Northern Development Initiative Trust, and Destination BC’s manager of marketing co-op programs Kim Hood Dean lead with teaming up to provide a grant writing workshop that was aimed at helping stakeholders successfully apply for project funding through Destination BC’s new co-op marketing partnership program.
Jody Wall delivered a hands-on session that focused on maximizing participants Google business listing and improving their Google ranking.
Clinton will host the 2016 CCCTA Tourism Summit, Oct. 26-28, 2016.
2015 Tourism Awards
Annually the region recognizes top tourism leaders during an industry awards segment.
This year’s impressive list of winners includes:
• Outside of the Box Award, Fort Berens Winery for its Winemaker’s Bootcamp;
• Best Tourism Marketing Initiative, Barkerville Brewing Company for its unique partnership marketing the “Mucho Oro” campaign with the royal BC Museum and Barkerville Historic Town; and
• Digital Marketing Excellence, Fort Berens Winery for its substantial digital marketing effort to improve its website’s effectiveness, as well as implementing new engaging best practices across multiple social media channels.
