This spring, Tourism Kelowna’s Business Development team spent time in Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa connecting directly with meeting and event planners, strengthening industry relationships, and continuing to position Kelowna as a destination for conferences, incentives, and group experiences.
Vancouver: Supporting Industry Growth & Client Connections
Grocery & Specialty West trade show booth. Pictured (L-R): Brianne Verveda, COEDC; Sasha Lesack, COEDC; Nicole Martinez, Tourism Kelowna
We began the spring season in Vancouver alongside the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) at Grocery & Specialty Food West, an annual trade show bringing together exhibitors and attendees in the food and grocery retail sector.
Working from within the COEDC booth, as part of Tourism Kelowna's partnership in the award-winning OKGo campaign, the focus was twofold: supporting efforts to attract new business opportunities to the Central Okanagan while also helping local food and beverage producers expand into new markets and retail opportunities. The event created valuable opportunities to better understand industry trends, consumer expectations, and the continued growth of the Okanagan’s culinary sector.
The following evening, we hosted a private client event at Riley’s Fish & Steak in partnership with Venue Series. Held on April 22 — both Earth Day and during National Tourism Week — the event saw us welcome 19 meeting and event planners alongside six of our Meeting Spots partners: 50th Parallel Estate Winery, Coast Capri Hotel, Four Points by Sheraton Kelowna Airport, Mission Hill Family Estate, Ramada by Wyndham Kelowna Hotel & Conference Centre, and Sandhill Wines.
Pictured (L-R): Nicole Martinez, Tourism Kelowna; Julia Garner, Tourism Kelowna; Jackie Legzdins, 50th Parallel Estate Winery; Catherine Fratric, Mission Hill; Maxine DeHart, Ramada Kelowna; Heather Courtney, Sandhill Wines; Sara Fisher, Four Points; Jocelyn Page, Coast Capri
Due to the strong RSVP list, the evening featured a passport-style networking experience where planners connected one-on-one with each partner before enjoying a relaxed evening of food, wine, and conversation. The event concluded with several partner prize giveaways, helping create memorable touchpoints and stronger planner relationships.
Toronto & Ottawa: Building Relationships Through Shared Experiences
Pictured (L-R): Julia Garner, Tourism Kelowna; Ashley Krebs, Eldorado Resort; Catherine Fratric, Mission Hill; Shannon Rivers, Delta Grand; Erin Urquhart, Cantrav; Vanessa Osborne, Tourism Kelowna
Our team continued its spring sales efforts in Toronto with a private client program in partnership with Cantrav, Delta Hotels by Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort, Eldorado Resort, and Mission Hill Family Estate.
The day began with a morning coffee drop-in at The Humble Donkey near Union Station, offering planners a casual opportunity to connect before the workday. Later that afternoon, we hosted a private lunch at Black + Blue Toronto, creating space for focused one-on-one conversations between planners and partners, followed by hosted networking over lunch.
The Toronto activations wrapped with prize giveaways, including a Tourism Kelowna grand prize package featuring:
- A $500 Air Canada gift card
- Golf for two at The Harvest Golf Club
- A Westside Wine Tour for two with Kelowna Concierge
- Two nights’ accommodation with breakfast at Coast Capri Hotel
Across both Toronto activations, our Kelowna contingent connected with more than 20 clients over two days in-market.
On May 6, we also attended MPI Toronto’s Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) event, which brought together the meetings industry to recognize the economic and community impact of business events across Canada. On the same day, back at home, Tourism Kelowna also hosted its own GMID celebration at the Kelowna Visitor Centre, bringing together local industry partners to reflect on the impact of meetings and events within the community.
The sales mission concluded in Ottawa at the first-ever Venue Series Wellness Edition hosted at the Brookstreet Hotel. Designed specifically for meeting and event professionals, the program focused on wellness, education, and connection within the industry.
Venue Series Wellness Edition
Throughout the day, our Business Development Sales Manager, Vanessa Osborne, participated in 30 one-on-one speed networking meetings with corporate, association, and independent planners. The event also included wellness-focused education sessions, networking activities, and discussions around burnout, work-life balance, and the evolving needs of event professionals.
Why These Sales Missions Matter
Each market visit creates valuable opportunities to strengthen relationships, better understand client priorities, and continue positioning Kelowna within Canada’s meetings and events industry. Whether through one-on-one meetings, hosted experiences, or industry events, these programs help keep Kelowna top-of-mind while showcasing the experiences, venues, and partnerships that continue to set the destination apart.
Connect with a member of our Business Development team to learn more about these and other sales-focused initiatives.
