Local, provincial, and national organizations regularly host in-person and virtual events to provide learning and networking opportunities and facilitate discussions on various topics. Here are some upcoming events you can attend in the weeks ahead.
Tourism Kelowna Stewardship Symposium
Join Tourism Kelowna at the Laurel Packinghouse on Wednesday, September 25, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for its inaugural Stewardship Symposium. The day will be filled with insightful discussions regarding sustainability, inclusivity, stewardship, and networking opportunities. Learn from industry experts, share your experiences, and connect with like-minded individuals. Click here to learn more and reserve your spot for our complimentary symposium.
City of Kelowna Cultural Grants Info Sessions 2025
The City of Kelowna is hosting two info sessions to provide local non-profit groups with more information about its Cultural Grants, which are accepting applications until Monday, December 2, 2024 at 3 p.m. PST. The info sessions will take place on September 23 and October 2, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on each day. Click here to register for one of the sessions.
Indigenous Women in Entrepreneurship Workshop
All Nations Trust Company and Indigenous Women Entrepreneurs are hosting a workshop for Indigenous women interested in learning more about entrepreneurship or furthering their journey as entrepreneurs. Attendees can join the workshop on September 26 or September 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Contact April at aprilp@antco.ca or (778) 471-8340 to learn more and to register.
Level Up AI Summit
Now Media Group presents the Level Up AI Summit on September 27, 2024. Attendees can expect to gain cutting-edge knowledge and strategic insights from top industry leaders. The event will feature detailed case studies, interactive sessions, and Q&A segments, providing practical applications and future outlooks in these dynamic fields. Visit the Summit website to learn more and to purchase tickets.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is observed on September 30, offering visitors and residents an opportunity to honour residential school survivors and those who never made it home, along with their families and communities. Since 2013, the day has also been recognized as Orange Shirt Day, honouring the story of Phyllis (Jack) Webstad and all the children harmed by the residential school system.
During the week leading up to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) will host virtual lunch and learns. You can learn more about these sessions and register to attend through the NCTR website.
The BC Chamber of Commerce is also hosting a virtual event, "Embracing Truth: Honouring the National Day for Reconciliation," on September 26, 2024. Click here to learn more and to register.
Sncewips Heritage Museum is hosting a special event to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. x̌spuʔus sckʷul—Works of HeART will honour survivors of residential schools, Indian day schools, and the Sixties Scoop. The event will take place at the museum on September 30, with the opening ceremonies at 11 a.m. Through this art exhibition, Sncewips invites attendees to reflect on the colonial injustices of the past, acknowledge the present, and look toward a future of reconciliation.
Also on September 30, the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, CBC/Radio-Canada, and the Algonquin Nation will unite to produce a 90-minute multilingual commemorative gathering entitled Remembering the Children: National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Links to watch and listen to the broadcast will be posted on the NCTR website.
On National Truth and Reconciliation Day and beyond, we encourage residents and visitors to:
- Read the various reports available from NCTR, including the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
- Visit Sncewips Heritage Museum for a guided or self-guided tour to learn more about syilx culture and heritage.
- Discover the public art in Westbank First Nation, taste Indigenous-inspired flavours at Kekuli Cafe, and support Indigenous businesses in the area.
- Explore the Okanagan Heritage Museum's permanent gallery, which was transformed with guidance and support from the Sncewips Heritage Museum and contains Indigenous artifacts, including a traditional qʷćiʔ (Okanagan winter home).
Worthy Okanagan
This full-day event, hosted by Empower Women Canada on October 1, 2024, will include immersive workshops, interactive discussions, and networking sessions led by industry experts and thought leaders. Learn more and register through the Empower Women Canada website; use the code worthyme to access a discount on tickets.
URBA After Hours: Pizza Wars
Uptown Rutland Business Association's (URBA) next After Hours event will be Pizza Wars, in which Rutland pizzerias compete in a taste-off. The event will take place on October 2 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Interior Savings Credit Union. Both URBA Members and non-members are invited to attend. Click here to get your tickets.
Small Business BC (SBBC) Live Education
Small Business BC (SBBC) regularly hosts live webinars and provides access to on-demand learning. Visit the SBBC website to see what's coming up and to find more information on accessing these and future education webinars, along with other SBBC resources, free of charge, on Destination BC’s website.
Upcoming & Future Tourism Industry Events
- October 29 & 30, 2024 | Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association AGM & Summit
- December 3 - 5, 2024 | 2024 Tourism Congress and Canadian Tourism Awards
- March 5 - 7, 2025 | BC Tourism Industry Conference
Have an upcoming event or webinar that would interest those in the tourism industry? Email us so we can include the information in our next roundup.
