Industry Updates April 2023
CEO Message
My Dad used to remind us each spring ‘In like a lion…out like a lamb’ in reference to windy March days. It seems our spring weather took a slightly longer vacation this year as I tackle spring clean-up projects. The good news that a cool, slow start to spring brings us lower chances for flooding and early season emergencies. This lets all of us prepare for what we all hope is a productive visitor season. With birds singing and babies being born across the region I feel a lighter step and look ahead at the work our team is undertaking on your behalf as we continue to recover from the past few years and plan to collectively do better. I hope that there is a little spring in your step as you look forward and that you will continue to share with our team, new and old, your immediate and long-term needs as we continue to serve you.
CEO Message
A Warm Welcome
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism is pleased to announce the hiring of our first Destination and Experience Managers to increase direct support for our visitor economy partners AND welcome new Team members to our office!
Patricia Gerhardi is returning to the CCCT team as a new Destination and Experience Manager. Patti brings over 25 years experience working in rural British Columbia, supporting local organizations with grant writing, media monitoring and other business support services. With a decade of working in the tourism industry, most recently as a Tourism Resiliency Advisor and a business owner herself, Patti brings a strong skillset to the team.
Soren Christensen is CCCT’s newest Destination and Experience Manager and will be part of the team working directly with operators in rural and Indigenous communities. He brings his experience as a project manager with a restoration company and is used to building productive partnerships. Soren comes to us from the Okanagan, where he’s been working since he graduated with an Economics degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 2019.
Julia Gentsch is CCCT’s new Office Administrator and Executive Assistant and joins us from Anahim Lake. She brings 15 years experience in the travel industry and office administration both in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast and her native Germany. Her passion for travel around the globe, but especially for Canada, nature, and outdoor adventures brought her to Canada in summer 2020. In her career she’s been dedicated to connecting people to exciting experiences and the information they need. Out of the office she enjoys horseback riding, swimming, diving, hiking, photography, and ice skating.
A Fond Farewell
Join the CCCT team in wishing a fond farewell and congratulations to Jolene Lammers as she transitions to the next chapter in her tourism career!
Jolene’s last day with us will be Friday, April 14th – you can drop her a note at jolene@landwithoutlimits.com or call the office 250 392 2226 for farewell wishes and project wrap ups. Following April 14, please send any emails to eco@landwithoutlimits.com as interim contact while we begin a new hiring process.
And now, a note from Jolene:
It has been my pleasure to work with the CCCTA stakeholders and partners over the past 4 years. I enjoyed meeting you all in person on travel guide distribution trips, destination development engagement sessions, meetings, and the AGM’s. Giving support as a Tourism Resiliency Advisor and being the main voice behind the COVID Surveys was some of the most difficult but rewarding work at the CCC. I have enjoyed working on development projects and all the unique learning’s that have come with each one.
My teammates have taught me so much and helped me to grow. They have been some of the hardest working and talented people I know.
This is not goodbye but see you around as I am transitioning to a new place and roll in tourism! Stay tuned!
2 Billion Trees Commitment
If you, your business or organization would like to partner in this cost-share program with Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism by planting a few trees to make up the 50,000 across the region please let us know and reply to amy@landwithoutlimits.com with the number of trees you would be interested in accessing. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/campaign/2-billion-trees.html
Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP) ~ Projects in the CCC
Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program
The Government of B.C. is investing up to $33 million this year to create the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program, which will support projects in communities, First Nations and with non-profits that promote the following:
- Economic diversification
- Resilience
- Clean growth opportunities
- Infrastructure development
Congratulations to the projects funded in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast:
- City of Quensel | Infrastructure Planning to Encourage Development | $500,000.00
- Tŝideldel First Nation | Tŝideldel Gravel and Aggregates | $500,000.00
- Nazko First Nation | Nazko Economic Diversification – Indigenous Tourism Comprehensive Planning | $81,700.00
- Yunesit’in Government | Yunesit’in Economic General Manager | $100,000.00
- Xeni Gwet’in First Nation Government | Nemiah Valley Lodge Meeting Facility | $1,000,000.00
- Williams Lake First Nation | WLFN Craft Cannabis Processing Initiative | $400,450.00
- Tl’etinqox Government | Anaham Flats Agriculture Upgrading Project | $500,000.00
- ?Esdilagh First Nation | Esdilagh Economic Capacity Development | $100,000.00
- Community Futures Development Corporation of Cariboo Chilcotin | Planning a Successful Succession (PASS) | $168,560.00
- Tsilhqotin National Government | Entrepreneurship Coordinator | $100,000.00
- Cariboo Regional District | Anahim Lake Airport Terminal Building Expansion | $530,765.00
- Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation | SXFN Sustainable Wood Products | $496,600.00
- Tŝideldel Limited Partnership | Tsideldel Community Service Centre | $1,000,000.00
- City of Williams Lake | Williams Lake Regional Airport Utility Master Plan | $125,000.00
- Gitga’at First Nation | Marine Emergency Response and Research Facility (MERRF) | $1,000,000.00
Minimum Wage Increase June 1
B.C.’s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise with the general minimum wage increasing from $15.65 to $16.75 an hour. “Having a minimum wage that keeps up with inflation is a key step to prevent the lowest paid workers from…
CCCTA Emergency Management Team
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