Richard Porges Named to Business in Vancouver’s BC500

Destination BC is proud to announce that President and CEO Richard Porges has once again been named to Business in Vancouver’s BC500, earning a place in the Tourism and Hospitality category for 2026. This marks Richard’s second consecutive year on the prestigious list, following his inclusion in the 2025 edition.

Now in its fifth year, BC500 recognizes 500 influential leaders from across British Columbia who have demonstrated significant professional achievement, industry leadership, and contributions to their communities. Leaders are selected through an extensive research process led by Business in Vancouver’s editorial team.

Richard’s recognition reflects Destination BC’s continued work to strengthen BC’s visitor economy and advance tourism as a key driver of economic growth across the province.

Over the past year, Destination BC launched its new 2026–2028 Corporate Strategy, Focused Growth, Lasting Impact, providing a clear roadmap for growing tourism year-round and increasing the benefits tourism delivers to people and communities throughout British Columbia. The organization also continued to advance the Invest in Iconics Strategy, introducing new destination brands designed to support tourism growth across seasons and regions while strengthening BC’s competitiveness in global markets.

Destination BC has also played a key role in helping the province prepare to maximize the opportunities presented by FIFA World Cup 2026™. Throughout the year, the organization advanced travel trade engagement, developed and promoted the BC Tourism FC Playbook, launched the global Beautiful Seats campaign, and collaborated with partners on FIFA-related activations, planning, and destination readiness initiatives.

In partnership with the Province of British Columbia and tourism industry stakeholders, Destination BC supported a number of high-profile initiatives designed to showcase BC on the world stage. This included supporting BC Business House activities that highlighted the province’s tourism experiences alongside broader economic development opportunities while helping position British Columbia as a destination of choice for visitors, investors, and business leaders.

Destination BC also supported the Province’s trade and market diversification efforts through engagement activities in China aligned with Premier David Eby’s trade mission. As part of the Province’s Look West strategy, these efforts helped strengthen tourism relationships with one of British Columbia’s key international markets, promote new travel opportunities and experiences, encourage greater air connectivity, and position BC as a destination of choice for visitors, business leaders, and investors.

Richard joins a distinguished group of tourism and hospitality professionals recognized in this year’s BC500, including Paula Amos of Indigenous Tourism BC, Michael Ballingall of Big White Ski Resort, Royce Chwin of Destination Vancouver, Rehana Din of BC Pavilion Corporation (PavCo), Paul Hawes of the BC Hotel Association, Amber Papou of the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC), Ian Tostenson of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, and Marsha Walden of Destination Canada. Together, these leaders reflect the strength, innovation, and impact of British Columbia’s tourism and hospitality sector.

Under Richard’s leadership, Destination BC continues to work closely with Indigenous Tourism BC, regional and community tourism organizations, industry partners, and government to grow tourism throughout the province. Over the past year, the organization advanced climate resiliency initiatives, expanded industry learning and training opportunities, enhanced research and data resources, and supported the long-term growth, sustainability, and resilience of BC’s tourism industry.

From Destination BC staff and the Board of Directors, please join us in congratulating Richard on this well-deserved recognition and on being named to Business in Vancouver’s BC500 for the second year in a row.

Learn more about the BC500: https://www.biv.com/news/economy-law-politics/biv-launches-fifth-edition-of-bc500-12492590