We are pleased to provide you with updates from our team, including an overview of some key initiatives that took place during the first quarter of 2024. The year is off to a good start, with several industry indicators pacing ahead year-over-year. We will continue monitoring indicators, research, and trends to support our work and decision-making.
Establishing Kelowna and the Central Okanagan as a Four-Season Travel Destination
- Launched our domestic spring advertising campaign, targeting BC, Alberta, and Ontario.
- Held 1:1 meetings with 20 international media to promote stories about Kelowna and area at International Media Marketplace in New York.
- Partnered with Destination Canada to attend the Professional Convention Management Association's (PCMA) Convening Leaders conference in San Diego.
- Showcased Kelowna at Ottawa Meet Week and at the Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference, which so far has resulted in 7 firm leads for meetings and conferences' business.
- Met face-to-face with 17 national sports organizations and event organizers at the 2024 Sport Event Congress to discuss specific hosting opportunities.
- Hosted Canadian Premier League to tour Kelowna, which contributed to the organization launching its "On Tour" Series in Kelowna on June 16, 2024.
- Attended familiarization tours to SilverStar Mountain Resort and through the Cultural District to educate the team on seasonal offerings and increase dispersion through the region.
Advancing Women in Agriculture Conference 2024. Pictured left to right: Nicolle Gomez de Sousa, Tourism Kelowna; Kati Day-Holland, Day's Century Growers; Erin Day, Day's Century Growers; Binny Boparai-Gill, Farming Karma; Sascha Lesack, COEDC
Fostering Sustainable Growth of the Destination
- Completed and released our most recent visitor intercept survey and economic impact report, which found that tourism in and around Kelowna is now a $2.4B industry.
- Attended the 2024 Montana's Brier in preparation for hosting the 2025 event in Kelowna.
- Connected with residents at the YLW Travel Show and the Kelowna Wellness Fair to promote winter and spring attractions and offerings.
- Attended a session hosted by go2HR— the largest tourism and hospitality-specific job board in the province—to hear updates on their services, which we in turn communicated to our members to assist them with their HR needs.
Kelowna delegation at the 2024 Montana's Brier. Pictured (clockwise from far left): Doug Nicholas, City of Kelowna; Chris Lewis, Tourism Kelowna; Chris Babcock, City of Kelowna; Nikki Robinson, Tourism Kelowna; Sara Correa Haslehurst, Tourism Kelowna
Ensuring Organizational Excellence
- Selected as a finalist for the Community Contribution & Impact Award at the BC Tourism Industry Awards and the Master Marketer Award at the Wine Growers of BC Industry Recognition Awards.
- Welcomed Sasha Taylor and Vanessa Osborne to our Community & Visitor Engagement team and Business Development team, respectively.
- Hired seven new Community Specialists to provide service at the Kelowna Visitor Centre, District of Lake Country Mobile Visitor Centre, and other mobile visitor services initiatives.
- Delivered a clean annual audit report of all financial statements, risk management, and balance and controls.
Finalists in the inaugural "Master Marketer" category at Wine Growers of BC Industry Recognition Awards. Pictured (left to right): Lisanne Ballantyne, Tourism Kelowna; Annika Betts & Tanja Martell, Gone West Wine Club; Kayla Bordingnon, uncorkBC; and Kimberly Hundertmark, Okanagan Wine Festivals Society.
Engaging Partners and External Stakeholders to Grow the Visitor Economy
- Introduced additional sector-specific marketing programs to further support the tourism industry.
- Attended the BC Tourism Industry Conference and the virtual Destination BC Visitor Centre Network Conference.
- Partnered with the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association (BCRFA) on Dine Around 2024, which saw more than 50 local restaurants provide feature set-menus for just over 3 weeks.
Photo credit: Shawn Talbot Photography
To learn more about our team's strategic priorities and key initiatives, contact:
- President & CEO, Lisanne Ballantyne
- Director of Business Development, Nikki Robinson
- Director of Destination Development, Chris Lewis
- Director of Finance, Lauren Lander
- Director of Marketing and Communications, Chris Shauf
