January 25, 2024

From January 29 to Feb 4, our CRM shows three meetings on the books, and two additional trade shows at the Vancouver Convention Centre: 

• TABOO: The Everything to do With Sex Show, Feb 2 – 4. 
• The Wellness Show, Feb 3 – 4. 

The forecast for next week notes an increase in air bookings from all markets, along with a decrease in hotel bookings compared to the current week. 

DESTINATION VANCOUVER NEWS

Recording & Presentation Deck : Meetings, Conventions & Events 2024 Market Plans

Thank you to everyone who attended the Meetings, Conventions & Events presentation on Jan. 23 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Our M&C team shared this year’s market plans for Canada, the US, and target international markets, as well as for Destination Events. We also discussed our plans to position Vancouver as the leading destination for meetings, conventions, and events.

For those members who couldn’t attend the session, you can view the recording of the session in two parts. The presentation deck is available here.

This information is also available through the Member Extranet: select Member Webinars & Events from the drop-down menu under Partner Bulletins.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Canada has been named the Safest Place to Travel in 2024 by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection. We’ve moved up from sixth spot on last year’s rankings.

The company noted that "cold weather and low population density make for safe travels." Canada also ranked as No. 1 for safety in transportation, lack of violent crime, and health measures, and as the safest place for women and those in the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities.

Berkshire Hathaway’s 2024 rankings are based on measures from the organization’s State of Travel Insurance research, which considers the surveyed responses of visitors, data from the Global Peace Index, the US State Department’s travel safety ratings, and the GeoSure Global scores of the major cities in each country. See the complete rankings.

BUSINESS RESOURCES & ADVOCACY

BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative Launches: Supporting a Climate-Ready Tourism Sector 

 The BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative launched a new initiative this week to help BC’s tourism industry face the impacts of climate change.

The BCTCRI is comprised of four project streams that will invest in:

1. Practical climate adaptation and sustainability planning for tourism businesses.
2. Micro-grants to help with implementation of climate adaptation and sustainability plans.
3. Development of a data framework to enable better insight-driven decisions.
4. New province-wide learning and training opportunities.

Applications are open now for the first two projects:

Project One: Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for BC Tourism Businesses

• Offers free, tailored support to tourism businesses looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations. An experienced program advisor and supporting experts will work with tourism businesses to develop a sustainability and climate adaptation road map and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency.

Project Two : Micro-Grant Program to Support Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Plan Implementation

• Provides micro-grant funding of up to $15,000 for tourism businesses that are ready to build on their sustainability or climate adaptation plan to implement a project or obtain sustainability certification.

Project Three: Sustainability and Climate Adaptation Data Framework and Project Four: Community Destination Stewardship Initiative will launch later this year.

What's On: Stories from Inside Vancouver

One Amazing Winter Day in Vancouver

From beach walks to ski slopes with breaks for incredible food, sightseeing, and art, you can experience Vancouver’s nature, adventure, and culture all in one amazing winter day.

Get Ready for JFL Vancouver's Comedy Festival Lineup

Just For Laughs (JFL) Vancouver is just around the corner as the eighth annual live comedy festival has been busy announcing additional comedians and shows ahead of its scheduled program from February 15 to 24. Stages at multiple venues across the city will be taken over by star-powered comedians from around the country and world for ten hilarious days of live stand-up, podcast tapings, improv shows, and sketch performances.

A Beginner's Guide to Exploring the Snow in Vancouver 

Vancouver’s ocean-influenced climate is mild, even in winter. But you can experience snow without leaving the city by taking a trip to the North Shore Mountains to go snowshoeing or sledding.

Assemble for Fan Expo Vancouver on Family Day Weekend

Fandom takes centre stage over the upcoming Family Day long weekend when Fan Expo Vancouver (FXV) returns to welcome thousands of pop culture junkies to the Vancouver Convention Centre for the city’s very own comic-con from February 18-20.

BUSINESS EVENTS & IN-MARKET EVENTS

micebook EXPO 2024
January 29-30 |Convene, London UK

micebook EXPO is the flagship annual event to connect with UK and European event planners, offering education with powerful content and meaningful connections with exhibitors. This will be Destination Vancouver’s second time exhibiting at this event.
Destination Vancouver lead: Lois Wallis (our in-market UK rep)

CSAE Tête-à-Tête
February 7, 2024 | Ottawa-Gatineau

Association and not-for-profit leaders, meeting and event planners, and government procurers from across the country attend this event. Destination Vancouver is a sponsor. We will also be participating in Ottawa Meet Week, a lineup of meeting and association industry events hosted that week. Visit ottawameetweek.ca.
Destination Vancouver leads: Michael Drake and Michelle Taylor

Mexico Sales Mission & Client Event
February 6-8, 2024 | Mexico City

Destination Vancouver’s M&C, Travel Trade and PR teams will host a client event in partnership with Air Canada, along with sales meetings with key corporate accounts.
Destination Vancouver leads: Krista Alcazar, Ana Vazquez and Luke Snyder

AMCI Annual Meeting
February 14 – 16, 2024 | Las Vegas

This Annual Meeting is AMCI's premier in-person business event to connect members, partners, and industry leaders. The event is designed to provide opportunities to learn, share, and grow association management companies. Vancouver is an annual partner of AMCI.
Destination Vancouver lead: Jackie Kavcak

Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME)
February 19-21, 2024 | Melbourne, Australia

The leading trade event for the meetings and event industry in the Asia Pacific region. AIME is where industry decision makers connect, create and do business. Bringing together international and local event planners and connect them with the best destinations, venues and event suppliers from around the world.
Destination Vancouver lead: Luke Snyder

New York Society of Association Executives (NYSAE) Meet New York &
Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) New York Chapter
February 26-28, 2024 | New York

NYSAE Meet NY is the largest tradeshow event of the year for the New York association community attracting attendees from New York and across the northeast. The event includes education, tradeshow and networking. The Vancouver team also attend the PCMA New York Chapter’s education day. Sales calls to key accounts will also take place this week.
Destination Vancouver lead: Dave Gazley

CESSE CEO Annual Meeting
February 25-28, 2024 | Savannah, GA

Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives' annual meeting of 60-70 CESSE CEO’s, many of whose organizations are past, current or future clients. Vancouver is an annual partner with CESSE. This is a Destination Canada-led initiative.
Destination Vancouver lead: Jackie Kavcak

MPI Toronto Awards Gala
March 7, 2024 | Toronto

Meeting Professionals International. Awards gala celebrating MPI Toronto Chapter’s meeting professionals and industry community. Destination Vancouver is sponsoring the Mentor of the Year Award and will attend the event. Destination Vancouver is inviting members to join by reserving a table for themselves and their clients.
Destination Vancouver lead: Luke Snyder