As we transition through fall, the Tourism Kelowna Business Development team has been actively promoting Kelowna as a top-tier destination for business, sports, and major events. From elevating an incentive program to connecting with key planners across North America, our team’s efforts are geared toward raising the city’s appeal and establishing long-term partnerships. Here’s a look at some of our recent highlights.
Canadian Country Music Awards Site Visit
Having been announced as the host of the 2025 Canadian Country Music Awards, our team was eager to attend the 2024 event hosted in Edmonton along with various representatives from the City of Kelowna. This was a unique opportunity to meet with the Edmonton host committee, City of Edmonton, and Explore Edmonton to discuss their experiences and for our team to attend the full event to understand the full potential and opportunities we’ll have in Kelowna.
A Financial Incentive Program with a Local Flair
Understanding the positive impact business events can have on our community, we were excited to welcome a unique incentive program to Kelowna this fall. Many clients are looking for sustainable and meaningful corporate gifting options, so Kassidy Cote, Tourism Kelowna's Retail Coordinator, and several Community and Visitor Engagement team members collaborated with local artists and vendors to provide a unique, custom gifting experience for the incentive program attendees. These local touches not only support Kelowna’s economy and creative community but offer a memorable keepsake for event participants, reflecting the region’s rich artistic heritage and commitment to sustainability.
IMEX America – Making a Memorable First Impression
Tourism Kelowna attended IMEX America for the first time this year and returned with exciting prospects! During the event, Team Kelowna (made up of Nicolle Gomez de Sousa from Tourism Kelowna and Dana Haudenschild from 50th Parallel Estate) connected with 26 event planners, discussing the possibilities for hosting meetings, conferences, and events in Kelowna. This successful outreach resulted in four immediate requests for proposals (RFPs) and opened the door to several other potential programs we hope to bid on soon. It was an incredible opportunity to introduce the distinctive offerings of Kelowna to a wider audience, while establishing our place within the Destination Canada umbrella. We’re eager to see how these connections unfold.
Venue Series in Montreal and Toronto
Our next stop was the Venue Series events in Montreal and Toronto, where we continued building relationships and showcasing the versatility and appeal of Kelowna’s event spaces. The Venue Series provided a platform to meet with planners seeking fresh and exciting destinations. Across the two days, Tourism Kelowna participated in 45 impactful meetings with influential figures from sectors like telecommunications, finance, pharmaceuticals, and professional services. Many planners, who regularly design executive retreats and incentive trips for major organizations, were drawn to Kelowna’s accessibility and its harmonious blend of sophisticated venues and breathtaking natural landscapes. Attendees also appreciated our tailored approach, from boutique law firms seeking intimate retreats to national organizations exploring off-the-beaten-path settings.
Whitecaps Soccer Match – Vancouver Client Event
In Vancouver, we hosted an exclusive client event at a Whitecaps soccer match tailored to business event planners. We had the pleasure of spending an evening with 15 clients and four partners, giving them a taste of the camaraderie, excitement, and unforgettable experiences that Kelowna-based events can offer. This event was also a great chance to foster relationships in a relaxed setting, strengthening our network with key players in the industry.
Ottawa Senators Hockey Game – Sport Event Client Event
As part of our focus on sports tourism, we hosted clients along with two partners, at an Ottawa Senators hockey game in our nation’s capital and home to the largest concentration of national sport organizations (NSO’s) in the country. The event allowed us to meet with 11 new clients and provide a firsthand look at the value Kelowna can provide a variety of sporting events from national youth sporting events to international major sporting events. It was another excellent opportunity to build relationships with key decision-makers in the hopes of establishing a robust pipeline of future sporting competitions.
Toronto Sales Mission – Sport Event Client Meetings
To maximize our reach while traveling to further destinations, following the event in Ottawa, Sara Correa Haslehurst, Sports and Major Events lead visited the Toronto area to have meetings with various clients including Tennis Canada, Special Olympics Canada, and Sport Hosting Experience. These meetings are instrumental in building the relationships required to be awarded a future bidding opportunity.
Innovate Canada – A Showcase of Canada’s Ag Expertise
Tourism Kelowna partnered with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission to participate in Innovate Canada, a Destination Canada Signature Event, focussing on Canada’s robust agriculture sector. Executives from global agriculture associations and corporations, along with other destinations specializing in agriculture and industry experts from each destination came together over the week to explore Canada’s agricultural expertise. During the 1-on-1 meetings, we discussed how Kelowna’s strengths could support future business events within this sector. This experience underscored how Kelowna’s agriculture and food landscape is not just a backdrop but a potential asset to elevate event experiences and foster long-term economic development partnerships.
Looking Ahead
As we wrap up the fall season, we’re inspired by the connections we’ve made and the enthusiasm we’ve encountered from partners, planners, and clients. We look forward to seeing many of these new partnerships evolve and are excited to continue representing Kelowna as a vibrant, sustainable, and innovative destination for business and sporting events. To get involved with similar initiatives next year, be sure to check out our 2025 Meeting and Conference program. Thank you for being part of this journey with us!
