The Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Association’s tourism summit coming up in the lakecity this week offers lots of information on how local business owners can promote their interests and the region.
The summit takes place at the Signal Point conference centre Thursday, Dec. 4 to Saturday, Dec. 6 featuring several keynote speakers skilled in tourism development.
In his 20-year career speaker Daniel Edward Craig has worked for a variety of hotels and tourism entities, in positions ranging from director of sales and marketing to vice-president.
As general manager Craig guided the Opus Hotel in Vancouver to being voted one of the World’s Best 100 Hotels by readers of Condé Nast Traveler and launched the first-ever hotel blog, attracting a worldwide following.
Today, as founder of Reknown, Craig is a leading authority in online reputation management in the tourism industry and a frequent speaker at conferences, including TripAdvisor’s Master Classes across North America.
Craig wrote the Online Reputation Management guide on behalf of Destination BC’s Tourism Business Essentials series and will give his presentation at the summit on Friday morning from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
The Tourism Summit starts with registration on Thursday evening at the Signal Point conference centre and a presentation from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. by Marsha Walden and Kathleen Lorentsen on Destination BC’s new Brand and Strategy program followed by a welcome reception featuring Fort Beren’s Wine, Margetts Meats and Monique’s Sweet.
Friday morning, after Craig’s talk, Mike Cober will give a preview on the new Land Without Limits website from 11:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
From 2 to 3 p.m. Friday afternoon Tanya Wong and Tzu-l Chung will give a presentation on Gold Rush! El Dorado BC - a Royal BC Museum Exhibit.
From 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. photographer Chris Harris will talk about his new book British Columbia’s Land Without Limits.
The annual general meeting follows Harris’s presentation after which the CCCTA hosts its annual gala dinner, awards ceremony and auction.
On Saturday morning Peter Harrison from Destination B.C. will host a workshop about Destination BC’s new marketing programs from 8 to 10:30 a.m.
Participants will learn about the new three-year corporate strategy, co-operative marketing plan and revitalized destination brand and programs that Destination BC will focus on to make B.C. the most highly recommended travel destination in North America and increase revenue for industry across the province.
This session includes an opportunity for business owners to provide feedback and input into the future of marketing businesses and communities in rural B.C.
After the morning break Saturday there will be a town hall style “Hearing From You” open mic from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.
After closing remarks the summit wraps up at noon.