Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

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Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association Regional Destination Management Organization (RDMO) for Thompson Okanagan, BC, Canada. Learn more at https://TOTABC.org/about

The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), is a not-for-profit society governed by the BC Societies Act. TOTA is governed by an elected Board of Directors who represent business and community tourism interests throughout the Thompson Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada. TOTA works closely with Destination BC, the BC Ministry of Tourism, Art, Culture, and Sport, and the other Regional Destination Management Organizations (RDMO) of the BC Tourism Secretariat (BCRTS).

Summit Closing Keynote: Opening Our Doors to the PastDiscover how a local society took a well-known attraction and trans...
10/07/2026

Summit Closing Keynote: Opening Our Doors to the Past

Discover how a local society took a well-known attraction and transformed it into a world-class visitor experience - and what happens when we get back to the basics of great tourism: creating something authentic, engaging, memorable, and worth talking about.

Featuring Hugh Culver, Chair of Friends of the South Slopes

Opening Doors to Advocacy, Preparedness and the Future of TourismTourism is one of British Columbia’s economic powerhous...
10/07/2026

Opening Doors to Advocacy, Preparedness and the Future of Tourism

Tourism is one of British Columbia’s economic powerhouses, but is its importance fully reflected in the policies, systems and decisions that shape our sector? Using the analogy of a door, TIABC CEO Amber Papou explores where tourism currently stands, why the door is open but only ajar, and what it will take to open it fully.

Through economic comparisons, real-world examples and lessons from emergency management, Amber will examine how tourism can move from being consulted after decisions begin taking shape to being part of the conversation from the start. The session will explore the role of advocacy, collaboration and a consistent industry voice, and why opening the door will require all of us to knock.

Featuring Amber Papou, CEO - Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC)

At the 2026 TOTA AGM & Summit, our breakout sessions will bring together industry perspectives on branding, sustainabili...
10/06/2026

At the 2026 TOTA AGM & Summit, our breakout sessions will bring together industry perspectives on branding, sustainability, visitor research, and travel trade and media.

10:00 AM | Breakout Rooms 1

Session A | Our Doors Are Open to the Iconics: Connecting Local Experience to BC’s Bigger Tourism Story
Learn how to leverage Destination BC’s research-backed brand strategies and new tools to create content that inspires responsible travellers, both internationally and domestically.
Fiona Tso, Senior Social Media Specialist, Destination BC
Jessica Huxtable, Senior Specialist, Brand & Creative, Destination BC

Session B | Opening Our Doors to Sustainability
Explore the climate challenges facing our region and the actions tourism can take to be part of the solution, including programs like the TOTA Biosphere Program.
Eve Layman, TOTA

Session C | Our Doors Are Open to Opportunity: Using Research to Understand Changing Visitor Patterns
Discover how research can help us better understand changing visitor behaviour and what it means for our industry.
Amy Kneller, Symphony Tourism Services

11:00 AM | Breakout Rooms 2

Session D | Our Doors Are Open to Travel Trade & Media: Value of Working with These Guests
Learn how travel trade and media partnerships can expand your reach to qualified travellers, build credibility and awareness for BC, and strengthen your connections with key markets. The session will also look at the growing role of AI and LLMs in how travellers discover and choose destinations.
Monica Leeck, Manager, Market Development, Asia/Pacific & Mexico

Session B | Opening Our Doors to Sustainability
Continue the conversation around climate action, regional challenges and practical ways tourism can contribute to the solution.
Eve Layman, TOTA

Session C | Our Doors Are Open to Opportunity: Using Research to Understand Changing Visitor Patterns
Take a closer look at visitor research and the changing patterns shaping tourism today.
Amy, Symphony Tourism Services

Join us in Kamloops on October 7 & 8 for conversations, connections and new ideas for the future of tourism in the Thompson Okanagan.

Open Doors Built with Purpose - From Community Roots to Global InvestmentLearn from Brett Soberg how a family built a bu...
10/06/2026

Open Doors Built with Purpose - From Community Roots to Global Investment

Learn from Brett Soberg how a family built a business from strong advocacy, passion, and love for wildlife and the outdoors and turned it into a highly regarded and successful tourism company that is recognized internationally.

Featuring Brett Soberg Co-Founder, General Manager, and Captain

Open Door to Possibility: Attracting Investment, Building the FutureTo ensure destinations across Canada are able to con...
10/06/2026

Open Door to Possibility: Attracting Investment, Building the Future

To ensure destinations across Canada are able to continue inviting visitors to new and existing businesses and destinations, investment will be crucial. Learn about Destination Canada’s strategy for attracting and maintaining investors, the efforts they are already making, and how you can get involved.

Speaking: Jennifer Horsnell, Senior Director, Destination Development at Destination Canada and Erik Fisher, CEO of Tourism Kamloops

Opening Doors to Stronger Communities: The Value of TourismTourism brings communities an economic and social opportunity...
10/06/2026

Opening Doors to Stronger Communities: The Value of Tourism

Tourism brings communities an economic and social opportunity that many don’t understand and the efforts of a DMO are not always recognized. With the proper research and continuous communication of said research and examples of the impact that tourism has on a community, its residents, and businesses, we can share that value and in turn create unexpected champions of tourism that will help you make a larger impact in your community and destinations.

Moderated by Bev DeSantis, Consultant, Tourism & Destination Strategist

Panelists:
- Elizabeth Clark, Fractional CMO and founder of Canopy Collective
- Christina Pilarski, CEO and co-founder of CIPR Communications
- Bill Sarai is a City of Kamloops Councillor
- Jenna Robins, Founder and CEO of Trilogy Solutions and Tourism Marketing Coordinator at Salmon Arm Tourism
- Amy Kneller, Operations Manager at Symphony Tourism Services

Our Doors Are Open During a Crisis: A Continuous Communication StrategyAs wildfires become more frequent and severe in t...
10/06/2026

Our Doors Are Open During a Crisis: A Continuous Communication Strategy

As wildfires become more frequent and severe in the Thompson Okanagan and around the world, our communication and response efforts must also adjust. This year the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) responded to a crisis with a livestream hosted by Erick Thompson, the Senior Manager of Communications and Engagement, and other members of the Regional Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The team shared real-time information and updates as the status of the Bald Range Wildfire changed. Erick and several other members of the EOC were also under an evacuation order.

Learn about the response this effort received, and the lessons learned by the information section at the Regional EOC.
Featuring Erick Thompson, Senior Manager of Communications and Engagement at the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen

We’re excited to be heading to Kamloops for the 2026 TOTA AGM & Summit, and we’re thrilled to have Tourism Kamloops as o...
10/02/2026

We’re excited to be heading to Kamloops for the 2026 TOTA AGM & Summit, and we’re thrilled to have Tourism Kamloops as our Destination Sponsor!

Thank you for welcoming our tourism community and helping us celebrate all that Kamloops brings to the Thompson Okanagan. We can’t wait to gather in Kamloops on October 7 & 8!

Register Today: https://hubs.ly/Q04z4Cz70

We are pleased to recognize our Contributing Sponsors for their support of the 2026 TOTA AGM & Summit.Thank you to Kamlo...
10/02/2026

We are pleased to recognize our Contributing Sponsors for their support of the 2026 TOTA AGM & Summit.

Thank you to Kamloops Airport, ETSI-BC, Rocky Mountaineer, New Horizon Productions and go2HR for supporting our tourism industry in coming together at the TOTA Summit.

Register Today: https://hubs.ly/Q04z35r_0

Address

2280D Leckie Road
Kelowna, BC
V1X6G6

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+12508605999

Website

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