Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning

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Project One of the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative (BCTCRI)–Facilitated Sustainable Tourism and Climate Adaptation Planning for Tourism Businesses provides free, tailored support to tourism businesses looking to incorporate environmental sustainability or climate adaptation measures into their operations. An experienced program advisor and supporting experts will work with tourism businesses to develop a sustainability and climate adaptation road map and perform detailed assessments to identify the most impactful, customized measures for climate resiliency.

APPLY NOW WHILE SPOTS LAST!

They are accepting 150 businesses into the program during this intake period on a first come, first served basis

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Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture Application Window

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The Extreme Weather Preparedness for Agriculture (EWP) Program invites farm and ranch businesses to apply for a new provincial cost-share funding opportunity that aims to increase farm-level climate resilience to extreme weather events.

Funding for the first intake is available under four streams:

Applications will be accepted through the IAF Client Portal starting on January 23, 2024, on an ongoing basis until funds are fully committed. Project start date is April 1, 2024. All projects must be completed by or before March 14, 2025.

LEARN MORE AND APPLY

Program Goal

To increase the resilience of BC agriculture operations by providing cost-share reimbursements to farm or agriculture businesses to address risks related to wildfire, flooding, and extreme heat.

Program Objective

  • To reduce farmers’ direct costs for infrastructure required after extreme weather events (flood, wildfire, heat wave)
  • To restore ecosystems and water quality as a co-benefits

 

Eligible Activities Categories Cost-Share Ratio Funding Limits
Wildfire Preparedness 

Note: Required FireSmart Critical Infrastructure Assessment 100% cost-share, activity cap of $2,000

 40% $50,000
Flood Preparedness 40% $50,000
Extreme Heat Preparedness 40% $50,000
Innovation Projects 40% $50,000

Tourism Digital Academy

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The Tourism Digital Academy is a free, eight-week digital marketing program for BC tourism businesses that want to build their knowledge and skills in digital marketing to an intermediate level. From setting goals to building a better understanding of SEO, website usability, content, email marketing, and analytics, the program instills confidence and knowledge so participants can put their plans into action. The next winter intake starts January 23 and runs until March 13, with a live session taking place weekly. There are still spaces available, so register today!

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Calgary Stampede Wine Competition Deadline

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NEW ALBERTA OPPORTUNITY

Calgary Stampede Cellar Showdown International Wine Competition

The Calgary Stampede is excited to announce a brand-new event for 2024 – the Stampede Cellar Showdown. This international wine competition will highlight beverage production and showcase the best-of-the best in Canadian and international wine, as part of the Stampede’s commitment to agriculture and the Agri-Food industry. 

Important Dates:

Final Entry Deadline: February 5, 2024

Competition Dates: February 23 – 25, 2024

LEARN MORE

LDB Promotions Deadlines

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Deadlines and themes for FY25 P7 October, P8 November, P9 December

All applications are to be submitted electronically on or before deadline as follows:

*Please note: Typically, thematic applications are for multiple agents

Themes for October, November, and December

For October through to December, priorities are top selling brands that necessitate holding power and can be refreshed monthly with new activations across October/November/December. In addition, BCL will be focused on the below categories/themes:

  • October: Fall/seasonal flavours, Thanksgiving
  • November/December: Cream liqueurs, Single Malts, Sparkling Wine (December)

Reminder that Q2 & Q3 advance pricing submissions are due March 8th, 2024.

Should you have any further questions, please email promotions@bcliquorstores.com

Southern Interior Horticultural Show

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The Southern Interior Horticultural Show is a new B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food delivered project in partnership with the tree fruit and grape industries to provide producers the opportunity to get the latest information on research, innovation, and farming practices from some of the industry’s most knowledgeable experts.

REGISTER NOW

 

View the detailed program here.

Tickets = $25 tax and services

REGISTER NOW

 

Industry partners include: B.C. Cherry Assoc., B.C. Fruit Growers’ Assoc., B.C. Grapegrowers’ Assoc., B.C. Wine Grape Council, Wine Growers British Columbia, Sustainable Winegrowing B.C., OKSIR, Summerland Varieties Corp., New Tree Fruit Varieties Development Council, and Okanagan Horticultural Advisors’ Group.

Funding for the conference is provided in part by the governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.

Canada House UK – Registration Deadline

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As in past years, the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) of Global Affairs Canada is organizing and hosting the annual table top tasting at Canada House in London in collaboration with Wine Growers British Columbia (WGBC), Wine Growers Nova Scotia (WGNS) and the Wine Marketing Association of Ontario (WMAO).  Based on winery feedback from last year’s tasting, and an in-market assessment, we will revert to a one day format this year. The walk around tasting (with masterclasses and a feature table) will be held on Tuesday May 14, 2024, with an industry briefing and huddle the late afternoon of May 13 to discuss the market and plans going forward. There will also be an industry (self-pay) dinner the evening of May 14. We hope that you will be able to join us for all of the above.

The High Commission of Canada in the United Kingdom and TCS will organize and project manage this initiative which is open to all Canadian wineries. We ask that registration forms be submitted no later than February 16, 2024 so that we can have a firm idea of the number winery participants and wines to begin planning for the above events.

Registration Fees:

  • $1000.00 (CAD) per full member winery*
  • $1500.00 (CAD) per non or associate member winery

*with the final amount to be determined once we know the actual number of participating wineries

Registration Includes:

  • One table station. Additional tables for wineries or distributors with multiple wineries or brands or those requiring extra space may be available for an additional registration fee, space permitting.
  • Consolidation and shipment of product samples. GAC will be sending as a diplomatic shipment, with information on drop off points and deadlines sent with your confirmation of registration in late February.

Participating wineries are responsible for staffing their own tables and providing all tasting samples. Note that space is limited and priority will be given to wineries active in the UK market and those who are export ready.

REGISTER NOW

Deadline: February 16, 2024

 

Further information on event details and timing will be provided leading up to the May event. Please note that there will be funding to offset 50% of wineries’ flight costs (economy fares) for this initiative through the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Agri-marketing Program (AMP) funding and Wine Growers Canada will be in touch with participating wineries with further details after your registration is confirmed.

 

Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions about the above initiative or registration details.

Janet Dorozynski – 1 613 222 0242 – janet.dorozynski@international.gc.ca

Decanter Sample Call

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Wine writer and editor Nicole MacKay is seeking Gamay samples for an upcoming article on Decanter.com. The online feature (which will live behind the Decanter paywall) will include an overview of Gamay winemaking in BC and Ontario and consist of scores and tasting notes for up to 15 bottles (still wine only and current vintage).

For instruction and details log in to your member portal account: https://winebc.com/industry/login/

The content on this page is exclusive to Wine Growers British Columbia member wineries. You must be logged in to your member account to reveal the content. Log in here.

Not yet a WGBC member? Consider joining BC’s leading trade association. Learn more about becoming a member here.

Group Onboarding with Sustainable Winegrowing BC

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Be guided through every step of the application.

Bring your laptop and your questions! Program Manager, Ruth King, and one of the SWBC auditors will be there to help you every step of the way.

Where: Okanagan College, Penticton – BCBTAC Sensory Lab, PC 256, 853 Duncan Ave W

When: February 21, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

What to expect:

  • Q&A about SWBC
  • Account set up
  • Assessment completion with guidance
  • Document collection to prep for audit
  • Audit booking

For registration and further info email Ruth at info@sustainablewinegrowingbc.ca or call 250-575-6515

Vancouver International Wine Festival

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The 45th Vancouver International Wine Festival is scheduled to take place February 24-March 3, 2024, featuring Italy as the theme country; the inaugural year was 1979. The board chair is Arv Sooch; executive director is Harry Hertscheg CWE, DipWSET.

The wine world comes to Vancouver for Canada’s premier wine show. The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. In 2023, the festival featured 147 wineries from 17 countries, pouring and discussing their wines at 36 events over eight days.

The heart of the festival is the International Festival Tastings at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where each winery pours 4-5 wines for the public at four International Festival Tastings and for the hospitality industry at two Trade Tastings. The room also features food suppliers and industry exhibitors, including media and suppliers. Included in the price of each ticket is the opportunity to shop at the onsite BC Liquor Store where all wines served at the International Festival Tastings are available for purchase and can be delivered at no charge to any BC Liquor Store.

Additional wines are served at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner and auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing affairs at top Vancouver restaurants and hotels.

BROWSE ALL VAN WINE FEST EVENTS

Sustainable Future of BC Wine Seminar at The Vancouver International Wine Festival Trade Days

March 1, 2024 – 9:30 AM to 11:15 PM

Join an esteemed panel of winemakers and industry experts to taste your way across British Columbia – exploring five of BC’s nine growing regions. Panelists will discuss the complexities of each region and share the sustainable practices BC’s winemakers and grapegrowers are employing in their region to ensure the continued health and vitality of their land and the future of the BC wine industry.

Moderators: Kelcie Jones, Ross Wise MW
Principals: Michael Alexander, Patrick Blandin, Jean-Marc Enixon, Felix Egerer, Michael Kullmann, Alessandro Nel

Sponsored by Wines of British Columbia

Featured wines:

Summerhill Pyramid Winery Cipes Traditional Cuvée 2004, Kelowna
Culmina Family Estate Winery Decora Riesling 2020, Oliver
Unsworth Vineyards Saison Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021, Cowichan Valley
Cannon Estate Winery Fleur Bleue 2021, Fraser Valley
Osoyoos Larose Grand Vin 2020, Osoyoos
Fort Berens Estate Winery Red Gold Reserve 2020, Lillooet

Event details subject to change

Trade events are available only to those in the wine, restaurant and hospitality industries who buy, sell, serve or market wine in their business. Registration is required.

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