Since 2021, the Township of Spallumcheen has been exploring the development of a regional Agri-Hub to strengthen local food distribution and support agricultural growth. With support from ETSI-BC, the Township is developing a phased business plan to help build a resilient and profitable agricultural sector for the future.
Columbia Valley’s Special Events Strategy Builds a Year-Round Destination
The Columbia Valley region hosts dozens of special events every year that enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors. From business meetings and conferences to vintage car shows, food festivals, baseball championships and concerts, diverse events take place across the region in the communities of Fairmont, Windermere, Invermere, Panorama and Radium Hot Springs.
Further developing the special events business is the focus of Columbia Valley Events, Growth, Preparedness & Strategy project, initiated by the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC). The strategy will draw more visitors to the region in the off seasons, build on the success of current events, and identify opportunities to attract new events.
“The pandemic prevented several regular events from happening, and we were concerned some wouldn’t return. We were also challenged by increased costs to hold events, a decline in travel, and the need to stay competitive as the event location of choice,” says Pete Bourke, Executive Director of the CVCC. “When COVID subsided and the sector started to come back, it was a good time to look at our event-related assets and develop fresh marketing strategies and tools.”
The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported creation of the Columbia Valley Events Growth, Preparedness & Strategy to build capacity within the tourism sector. The CVCC, Kootenay Rockies Tourism, Tourism Radium, Travel Columbia Valley, and Community Futures East Kootenays also supported the plan.
Centralized Approach and One Stop Information
Initially, the project included hiring a full-time Events Coordinator as part of a centralized approach to growing the sector. “As we looked at what a full-time position would require, we realized greater capacity could be achieved through extra efforts by the CVCC and other tourism stakeholders in the Valley,” says Bourke.
A key component of the strategy is the new TravelColumbiaValley.ca website, which is a one-stop shop for information on accommodation, restaurants, outdoor adventures, arts and culture, shopping, and other unique Columbia Valley experiences.
An event planning toolkit was also created to make it easier for event organizers to choose the Columbia Valley. Once the new website is fully built out, the tool kit will be integrated into the site and have its own webpage as well. A fresh photo collection has been created and will be continuously updated to enhance advertising to the established conference and retreat market.
Signature Events Combine with Value-Added Experiences
The CVCC also assisted nine signature events through an experience development program hosted by Destination BC and Travel Columbia Valley. Working with consulting firm Veneto Collaboratory, each business developed a story about what they offer to ensure a consistent and repeatable experience. “These experiences are integrated into event booking procedures, so if someone registers to run in a local race, for example, they have the option to add on a paint night or drumming experience,” explains Bourke.
Six events returned to the Valley in 2023 as the strategy rolled out. Among them is the Rocky Mountain Rally which marked its 50th anniversary in the area after a three-year absence. The Rally generated approximately $84,000 into the regional economy in the form of accommodation, food, and other spending by participating teams. “We’re already planning on coming back next year and beyond,” says Rocky Mountain Rally Chair, Keith Morrison.
Other returning events are the Nipika Loppet cross-country ski race, Invermere Snowflake Festival, Valley Appreciation Day, the Columbia Valley Classics Show and Shine, and Canal Days. New events attracted include the Radium Street Party, Radium Wildlife Festival, and the U14 Baseball provincial championships.
“Much of the success of this project is due to the high degree of collaboration among stakeholders to create a strong foundation to attract and retain great events,” says Laurel Douglas, CEO of ETSI-BC. “As the momentum continues, the Columbia Valley will become a primary event destination.”
More News & Stories
New Tourism Strategy Transforms Grand Forks from a Highway Stop to a Destination
The Southern Interior community of Grand Forks has completed a major rebuild and relaunch of its original tourism strategy, shifting the community from being a quick stopping point on Highway 3 to a tourism destination. With support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), the strategy served to develop new tourism assets attracting more visitors and generating increased revenue for local businesses.
Sicamous Tourism Strategy Builds a Path for Sustainable Growth
From houseboating to sledding, hiking, biking, and birding, Sicamous is the tourism hub of the Shuswap region. While summer visitors fill Sicamous with activity, off-season visitations drop sharply, prompting the community to pursue a more diversified and sustainable year-round tourism future. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) supported the District of Sicamous Development Corporation in revitalizing the community’s tourism sector with a dynamic, five-year tourism strategy to 2030.
Forestry Strategy Positions ?aq’am First Nation for New Opportunities
Increased timber harvest allocations for BC’s First Nations are opening the door to new business opportunities for enterprising First Nations communities such as ?aq’am in the East Kootenays. With funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC), ?aq’am developed a forestry business scan, a strategy to build capacity for projects made possible by the expanded forest tenure. The scan is guiding ?aq’am to increase its role in forestry as it pursues a resilient and sustainable future.
ETSI-BC Welcomes Krista Mallory as Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager
July 29, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC)) is pleased to announce that Krista Mallory will be joining the organization as its new Regional Project and Strategic Initiatives Manager effective October 1, 2026.
Wayfinding in Barriere for Economic Resilience and Growth
When a major fire destroyed the Tolko sawmill in the North Thompson region near Barriere in 2003, residents and stakeholders rallied to rebuild and redefine the community’s economic future. As the community has evolved, so have the systems that help residents and visitors navigate in and around Barriere, including a multi-phase Wayfinding Strategy launched in 2024. The project, supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is aimed at boosting visitor traffic and attracting more business investment, ensuring a strong and resilient future.
Five-Year Plan Strengthens ?aq’am Community Enterprises
?aq’am Community Enterprises (ACE) is the economic development arm of the ?aq’am First Nation, the largest member of Ktunaxa Nation. Known for its progressive business development goals, ACE undertook a comprehensive review of its strategic priorities. The result is a dynamic new five-year strategic plan that will guide more efficient, tactical, and resilient delivery of ACE’s programs and services. The project was supported by the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Thompson-Okanagan Launches New Economic Development Practitioners Network
After a year of work connecting economic development practitioners across the Thompson-Okanagan, the region’s first Economic Development Practitioners Network (EDPN) is now in place. Modelled after the Kootenay Boundary EDPN created in 2014, the Thompson Okanagan EDPN includes community and municipal and First Nations economic development practitioners, Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures and other stakeholders. The group came together for the first time on April 8, 2026, where they learned, shared ideas and information, and further planned future activities. The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is committed to supporting both the Kootenay Boundary and Thompson-Okanagan networks of economic development practitioners.
2027-30 Strategic Planning and DAAP 4.39 Updates
June 25, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is grateful for the input from partners, funding recipients, committee members and other regional stakeholders who have taken the time to help inform our next three-year Strategic Plan for 2027-30. We are also pleased to provide an update on the status of the DAAP 4.39 action item.
ETSI-BC Fall 2026 Funding Intake: Up to $1M Available for Projects
June 18, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) is pleased to announce that its next Funding Intake will launch on Tuesday, September 1, 2026 and close on Thursday, October 1, 2026.