CEO’S MESSAGE: AUGUST 2024

Dear Team Richmond,

The days are already getting shorter, with the blink of an eye! It has been another beautiful Summer in Richmond – the city truly comes alive with the energy of the Night Market and activity along Steveston and our many nature trails.

It has been a productive time for the team with some key industry events to highlight.

From July 16-18, we met partners from around the world at the Destinations International Annual Conference in Tampa, Florida. It is clear that long term tourism planning and destination development remains a trending topic in the industry but new notable areas of interest included discussions on the role of AI in trip planning and organizations, as well as the impact of FIFA on host communities and adjacent cities (as Richmond will be in 2026). I will definitely dig into these topics further!

We attended the Canadian Meetings and Events Expo in Toronto on August 13 and 14, showcasing Richmond as a business events destination along with seven of our hotel partners as MICE continues to be a priority for our tourism & hospitality industry.

I was thrilled to take part in a celebration ceremony where the achievement of my Certified Destination Management Executive (CDME) credential was acknowledged. The multi-year professional development program is based on dedication to the highest standards within the destination organization industry and I’m so proud to share this commitment to growth with the exceptional team and destination I get to lead in this role. Thank you!

As we gear up in this last busy push of Summer, I wanted to remind everyone that the Steveston Bike Valet (Gulf of Georgia Cannery) and Discovery Shuttle will continue to run as free services every weekend and on Labour Day until September 8.

Enjoy these sunny last days of August!

Sincerely,

Nancy Small

Tourism Richmond Team Member

Chief Executive Officer