2024 Event Recap

Photo Credit: Isabelle Call

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Featured Speaker Event Presentations

Beverly Evans, Karen Eden, and Laurie Walters – Growing Ideas One Idea at a Time

Beverly, Karen, and Laurie from Community Futures Cariboo Chilcotin presented on supporting entrepreneurs to grow and sustain businesses in rural and remote communities within the region. They presented on the following topics: business loans, self employment programs, business plan consultation, succession planning, and more.

2024 Community Futures Presentation

Ingrid Jarrett –  British Columbia Hotel Association Industry Update

Ingrid from the British Columbia Hotel Association provided an industry update to attendees. There are 6 key priorities based on the industries voice: short-term rentals; access to housing; the Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT); cost of doing business; training and upskilling; and people and careers.

2024 BC Hotel Association Industry Update

Beat Steiner & Jimmy Lulua –  First Nations Engagement

Beat from Bella Coola Heli Sports will be speaking on his 25 year journey as a business owner in Bella Coola, including opportunities for building a deeper and more meaningful relationship with the local Indigenous communities and how supporting local communities supports your business.

2024 Bella Coola Heli Presentation

Rodney Payne – Sustainability as a Driver of Profit 

Natural disasters, housing crises, cost of living challenges, and workforce shortages leave our industry facing an uphill battle. It feels tone-deaf to begin talking about sustainability, but Rodney Payne will challenge us to flip that logic on its head. He will show how sustainability, combined with creative business strategy, might be the very thing that can make our economy more resilient, reduce seasonality, help to reduce labor force pressure, and make our destination more competitive and resilient. With inspiring examples from around the world, this presentation will leave us to consider how a focus on yield and profit might be the right approach for our region.

2024 Destination Think Presentation

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Maya Lange – An Introduction to BC Iconics 

Maya is the Vice-President of Global Marketing for Destination British Columbia (DBC). In her role, Maya and her team lead the marketing efforts in 12 domestic and international markets via the Super, Natural British Columbia® brand. Maya spoke on the following topics: Iconics updates of The Rainforest to Rockies and The Great Wilderness Iconics; highlights of the brand strategies for the two new Iconics for the region; launch of all the Iconics brands; and discuss ways in which communities and businesses can build alignment with these new Iconics.

2024 Destination BC Presentation

Walt Judas – Tourism Industry Association of BC 24/25 Advocacy Priorities

Walt is the CEO of Tourism Industry Association of BC. Although, he could not physically attend the Tourism Summit, he provided his presentation on the issues that continue to impact BC’s visitor economy, and how TIABC and its members/partners are working to address both challenges and opportunities.

2024 TIABC Advocacy Presentation

Award Winners

Best Tourism Marketing Initiative

This award recognizes a person, business or organization for a marketing initiative, campaign or experience within the past three (3) years that successfully increased business and enhanced the tourism industry in the region. This award is seeking someone who has thought outside the box, keeps up with or leads modern marketing strategies and is enhancing the region’s tourism reputation.

Winner: South Point Resort – Their unique marketing initiatives have put the South Cariboo back on the wedding map and earned them the title of the Best Wedding Venue in the South Cariboo and have led to sold out bookings for 2024 and 2025. Not only has South Point Resort invested in new infrastructure and marketing, they also take a whole community approach to growing tourism and offer Wedding Parties access to local suppliers for catering, hair & makeup, florists, tent rentals and more. With no intention of slowing down on marketing efforts, South Point Resort is bringing Cariboo lakeside weddings back into ‘Vogue’.

Tourism’s Future Award

The Tourism Futures Award recognizes a person or business new to the industry with no more than five (5) years in business. We are seeking someone who has developed or purchased a tourism business in the region, is engaged in the industry and tourism community, shown bravery, innovation or leadership and is willing to responsibly push boundaries.

Winner: Siobhan Uy at Bralorne Mines Motel – In just over a year of owning the motel, Siobhan has transformed the 90s-styled pink motel into a modern getaway with upgrades and layout changes throughout and is deeply connected to the community. An avid mountain biker and long-time visitor of the Bridge River Valley, Siobhan’s passion led her to purchase the Bralorne Mines Motel and engage as an active volunteer. The operation is wowing visitors and Siobhan’s willingness to step up for her community is commendable.

Bracewell Alpine Wilderness Adventures and Wilderness Trails Accepting the Generational Award on the Bracewell Family’s behalf. Photo Credit: Isabelle Call.

Generational Award

The Generational Award recognizes individuals or groups within the industry who have made significant contributions to the advancement and development of tourism in the region. These recipients demonstrate a multi-generational commitment, with two or more generations actively involved or owning businesses within the regional tourism sector. They have effectively collaborated, maintained a presence, and have the goal to pass the business to future generations.

Winner: The Bracewell Family – The Bracewell tourism legacy began in 1918 when KB Moore began ranching at the Circle X in Tatlayoko. In 1940, Gerry moved to Circle X to work for KB and later married Alf Bracewell. Gerry went on to be the first female Guide Outfitter in BC, Gerry & Alf took over operations at Circle X when KB passed, were instrumental in building Hwy 20 and served on the CCC board among many others over the years. Their sons Kevan & Alex built Bracewell Alpine wilderness Adventures and in 1990 added a second guide business to the operations. Today, Alex, along with his son Aaron, Aaron’s girlfriend Annalena and their team continue to run Bracewell Alpine Wilderness Adventures. Kevan, his family and amazing team continue to operate Wilderness Trails in the Bridge River Valley and Alex’s daughter Bobi owns and operates Wyld Whisper Trail Rides in Williams Lake. The Bracewell family has a legacy of contributing to tourism and continue to develop the next generation of passionate story tellers and entrepreneurs.

Good Neighbour Award

The Good Neighbor Award recognizes a person, business or organization who drives positive collaboration, promotes being a better neighbor through action and is positively engaged in their local community/area. Seeking those who go above and beyond to positively impact responsible tourism development in the local community or the broader tourism industry.

Winner: Small Ship Tour Operators Association – The seven Canadian-owned and operated, small-ship expedition travel companies that make up the association specialize in providing nature-based travel experiences for small groups are pioneers in ecotourism while partnering across the region on everything from removing marine debris from the beaches of the Great Bear Rainforest to protocol agreements or MOUs with Indigenous nations. Shared values on sustainability, conservation and respect unite these operators into a collaboration rather than competition, where they collectively dedicate resources to improve coastal ecosystems, communities and support each other’s businesses. The Great Bear Marine Debris removal project is one example where they have successfully removed over 360 tonnes of plastic and waste from the Central Coast shorelines.

Innovation in Tourism

Innovation in Tourism recognizes a person, business or organization who introduced an innovative new tourism business concept or experience to the tourism industry within the past five (5) years that achieved success for the innovator and supports the broader tourism industry. Nominations may include business, sustainability, technology or other innovations that advance the regional tourism industry.

Winner: Tutti Gravel Inn – Running the first gravel bike hotel in BC and Canada, owners Kelly and Erin have created a place for people to stay while enjoying the picturesque and challenging gravel roads that surround Clinton. From cozy accommodations to connections with locals to learn the best current conditions, providing drop off and/or pick up service for visitors, creating annual events and forging new partnerships, Tutti Gravel Inn has created a new energy and excitement that is growing local revenues.

Anton “Tony” Forster being presented the President’s Award by the CCCT’s Board of Directors. Photo Credit: Isabelle Call.

President’s Award

The President’s Award recognizes an individual whose cumulative efforts have enhanced the awareness and quality of tourism experiences in the region and provided significant support to the responsible development of the tourism industry.

Winner: Anton “Tony” Forster – One of the longest serving board members in Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism history, Tony was a solid rock and a backbone of the board for decades. Tony respectfully guided the organization and new board members with his experience and knowledge, particularly in all governance questions. Beyond running his own tourism businesses, he was a long-term and well-respected accommodation inspector under the Hello BC approved accommodation program and an amazing, dedicated, knowledgeable guy! Tony leaves a legacy of responsible growth and improvement not only for tourism in the region but also with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism organization and team.

Photo Album

Our 2024 Sponsors

The Grizzly Bear:

The Mountain Goat:

The Red Fox:

In Kind:

Please reach out to agm@landwithoutlimits.com or 250-392.2226 if you’re interested in 2024 Sponsorship or have any questions.