?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).
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
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.
ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake Invests Over $1 Million to Strengthen the Southern Interior Economy
June 8, 2026 – Communities across British Columbia’s Southern Interior are set to benefit from a new round of investment through the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior. On June 5, 2026, ETSI-BC approved $1,011,000 in funding for 33 projects, representing a combined project value of $3 million. The funded initiatives will help communities diversify their local economies, support innovation, and respond to regional opportunities
Helping Shape the Future of ETSI-BC Support in the Southern Interior
May 11, 2026 – ETSI-BC is inviting partners from across the Southern Interior to participate in a series of virtual focus groups as part of an Impact Assessment that will inform its next three-year Strategic Plan, covering the period from April 1, 2027 to March 31, 2030.
Similkameen Economic Vitality Plan Drives Growth and Resilience
Keremeos, one of the fastest growing rural communities in British Columbia, has evolved from its agricultural heritage to a business hub at the heart of the Similkameen region with a robust tourist sector and vast potential to develop new business opportunities. In 2024, the Similkameen Country Development Association initiated a comprehensive Economic Vitality Initiative to better address the pressing needs of local businesses. Collaboration by many stakeholders along with funding support from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) drove the plan to completion, and the strategies it contains are now being implemented.
Ktunaxa Business Showcase Links Indigenous Businesses to Procurement Opportunities
The Ktunaxa Business Showcase, led by the Ktunaxa Nation Council (KNC), is expanding, improving and helping members secure new business contracts in southeastern BC. The success of the most recent 2025 Showcase event reflects strategic changes to the program’s timeline and format, and was supported by funding from the Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC).
Strong Demand for ETSI-BC Spring Funding Intake
April 15, 2026 – The Economic Trust of the Southern Interior (ETSI-BC) closed its 2026 Spring Funding Intake, with a strong response from communities and organizations across the region. The intake closed on April 9, 2026, with 48 applications requesting nearly $1.7 million in funding, representing a combined project value of almost $4 million.
2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review
March 30, 2026 – We are pleased to present the findings and recommendations of the 2026 ETSI-BC Legislative Review Committee. The Committee reviewed the Act that governs ETSI-BC and the proposed changes that the Province has put forward this year. A Legislative Review is conducted every 5 years by an independent committee. This year in particular, their report has several important recommendations of relevance to First Nations and local governments in the Southern Interior, and to the Province.