Taking place from October 20-22, 2025, in Kelowna, BC, this first-of-its-kind event for BC is part of a pilot project aimed at furthering growth opportunities for tourism businesses. This event is geared toward BC tourism businesses with limited experience engaging with the travel trade or participating in large-scale trade shows. It will provide tailored export training that speaks to topics such as what the travel trade are seeking, travel motivators from key markets, and how to navigate a trade show floor. Once that training is complete, we will facilitate direct connections between participating BC tourism operators and travel trade specialists from key global markets through a live travel trade marketplace activation – allowing participants to put what they’ve learned into practice.
Destination BC is excited to introduce the BC Accelerator Program: an educational market development program designed to help export-ready tourism businesses across British Columbia learn how to work with the travel trade. We recognize that tourism businesses engaging in this training are at various stages of their travel trade journey, and we aim to create a welcoming, educational environment for all participants. Participation is currently by invitation only, due to anticipated high demand and limited space (non-transferable).
Who Attends the BC Accelerator Program
The BC Accelerator Program is rooted in education, specifically for tourism businesses that are Market Ready, and are interested and willing to work with travel trade to get to the Export-Ready level. It brings together important players in the tourism industry, creating a vibrant network for growth and collaboration. The event will include representation from:
- Regional and City DMOs: We partner closely with the six Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (RDMOs) and a selection of City DMOs. This collaboration ensures that we represent a wide range of interests and perspectives in the tourism sector.
- Buyers: You’ll meet key operators from Destination BC’s primary markets, including Germany, Mexico, China, Australia, the UK, and Canada. These buyers are looking for unique experiences and opportunities to connect with sellers.
- Sellers: This includes accommodation providers, transportation services, and experiential tourism operators in British Columbia who are eager to enhance their knowledge and skills in the travel trade. Our Regional DMOs will assist in identifying and recommending select sellers to participate in the program.
- Regional and City DMOs: We partner closely with the six Regional Destination Marketing Organizations (RDMOs) and a selection of City DMOs. This collaboration ensures that we represent a wide range of interests and perspectives in the tourism sector.
- Buyers: You’ll meet key operators from Destination BC’s primary markets, including Germany, Mexico, China, Australia, the UK, and Canada. These buyers are looking for unique experiences and opportunities to connect with sellers.
- Sellers: This includes accommodation providers, transportation services, and experiential tourism operators in British Columbia who are eager to enhance their knowledge and skills in the travel trade. Our Regional DMOs will assist in identifying and recommending select sellers to participate in the program.
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