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Tourism Events Program

Farmers market in the Cowichan Valley

Vancouver Island | Graeme Owsianski

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British Columbia Tourism Events Program

Tourism is one of the world’s most competitive industries, and a vital component of a strong, sustainable economy in British Columbia. Recognizing the importance of this industry, the Tourism Events Program (TEP) was created to help events increase the volume of visitors to British Columbia, broaden global recognition of the province, and build our reputation as an internationally renowned destination. By providing supplemental funding for marketing, promotional, advertising, and broadcast activities, TEP helps events gain exposure and have a greater impact on the province.

Important to note to applicants: Please review all the information on this page before filling out the application form. This will help in submitting the strongest application possible.

Chef cooking and grilling at the Richmond Night Market in Richmond, BC

Richmond | Kezia Nathe

Program Requirements

All applicants are required to demonstrate how the event meets the following criteria:

Mandatory:

  1. The event must take place in BC.
  2. The event must be confirmed (i.e. funding for an event bid is not eligible).
  3. The event should be able to demonstrate financial viability (i.e. majority of operational funding is confirmed).
  4. The event must be a tourism event (i.e. the event is a draw for tourists, and is not primarily community focused).
  5. The event must be a sporting competition, arts or cultural celebration, or festival.
  6. Organizers must be able to apply for at least the full minimum amount of TEP funding ($10,000) for eligible activities.
  7. Each event requires a separate application form and must be submitted during the appropriate intake window.

Desirable:

Given the volume of requests and limited funding, the following criteria are also considered:

  1. International and national profile: The event raises awareness, nationally and internationally, of British Columbia’s tourism brands by having provincial, national and/or international broadcasting or other media reach;
  2. Tourism value: The event motivates Canadians and people from around the world to travel to British Columbia by drawing a large number of out-of-town visitors in relation to the size of the host community;
  3. Economic impact: The event offers significant economic impact relative to the size of the host community(ies);
  4. Regional benefits: The event generates tourism and economic benefits for the surrounding region beyond the host community, takes place in multiple communities, and/ or takes place in a rural or remote community.

Events That Are Not Eligible

Events may not be primarily commercial or academic in nature (e.g. consumer shows, symposia, conventions, meetings and conferences, seminars and clinics, educational competitions, etc.); however, ancillary events/festivals created to coincide with these examples may be eligible. Attractions, shows, tours or projects held over an extended period of time are also not eligible for funding.

Use of Funds

Funding provided through the TEP must be used to broaden the reach and impact of the event through marketing and communications, which may include: broadcasts, promotional materials, social media, advertisements etc. See FAQs for examples of eligible and ineligible activities.

Funding Limits

Funding limits are determined based on the size of the event budget.  The event budget is considered the sum of total operating costs/expenses related to the event, and should not include the expenses that would be covered with TEP funding. The operating costs described must be for the event itself and not the operating expenses of the applicant organization.

These limits are the maximum amount an event can apply for; however, the applicant must ensure the funding amount requested is appropriate for the event (generally considered to be 10% of the overall budget or less). Funding may only be applied to activities deemed eligible for TEP funds. The minimum funding request is $10,000 for all events.

Applicants may apply within the following limits:

Small Event Event Budget up to $500,000 $10,000 to $35,000
Mid-Sized Event Event Budget up to $1.5 million up to $100,000
Large Event Event Budget  of $1.5 million or greater up to $175,000
Very Large Event Event Budget  of $2.5 million or greater up to $250,000

Note: Events are eligible for funding for a maximum of three years and must reapply each year. An event that has reached the three year maximum may reapply after a one year waiting period. Exceptions to the waiting period may be considered.

Applying for the Tourism Events Program

The application window is now CLOSED, and will reopen March 21, 2020 for events taking place between November 1, 2020, and October 31, 2021.

TO APPLY: All applications must be submitted when the application window is open, and must use the posted application form provided during each specific intake period. Applications not using this form will not be considered.

The application form for the next intake will be available for download as of March 1, 2020. Please ensure your event falls within the eligible event window before applying (see table below).

TIMELINES: All submissions will be reviewed once the application window is closed. The estimated decision time is at least three to four months after the window has closed. All applicants will be contacted once funding decisions are made.

The TEP is a competitive program that is customarily over-subscribed. It is possible that not all applicants will be successful in receive funding, in part or in full.

Future application intakes and corresponding eligible event windows are as follows:

Application Intake Eligible Event Window
March 1, 2020 – April 30, 2020 November 1, 2020 – October 31, 2021
September 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020 May 1, 2021 – April 20, 2022
March 1, 2021 – April 30, 2021 November 1, 2021 – October 21, 2022

All program policies and materials are subject to change. For those are interested in applying in a future application window, please check our website closer to the application window opening for any program updates.

Information for Successful Applicants:

Successful applicants will have the following responsibilities:

  • The legal entity that submitted the application will enter into a contract with the Province of British Columbia, outlining use of funds and reporting requirements. Recipients are required to have a signed contract and completed insurance documentation in place prior to the start of the event.
  • Funding recipients will be required to acknowledge Provincial support.
  • Funding recipients must ensure a coordinated and effective use of program funds.
  • Funding recipients are required to obtain any trail, road, civic or other permits required prior to funds being issued. This is solely the responsibility of the applicant.
  • Funding recipients will have to provide a final event report using the template provided in the contract document.

See FAQs for more information.

Inquiries and applications should be sent to TourismEventsProgram@gov.bc.ca

Funding Recipients

Since TEP launched in September 2015, the Province of British Columbia is pleased to provide support to the following successful TEP applications:

Since TEP launched in September 2015 the Province of British Columbia is pleased to provide support to the following successful TEP applications: 

Funding recipients for 2016
Event Date Location
2016 Men’s World Rugby Sevens March 12-13, 2016 Vancouver
IIHF Ice Hockey Women’s World Championship March 28-April 4, 2016 Kamloops
2016 Women’s World Rugby Sevens April 16-17, 2016 Langford
Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival August 18-21, 2016 Salmon Arm
Americas Masters Games August 26-Sept. 4, 2016 Vancouver
2016 Pacific Links Championships September 19-25, 2016 Langford
Grand Slam of Curling November 8-13, 2016 Cranbrook
2016 World Junior Taekwondo Championships November 16-20, 2016 Burnaby
Funding recipients for 2017
Big White 2017 World Para Snowboard Championships February 1-8, 2017 Big White
Just for Laughs NorthWest February 16-25, 2017 Vancouver
2017 Men’s World Rugby Sevens March 11-12, 2017 Vancouver
2017 Telus Cup April 24-30, 2017 Prince George
Vancouver Marathon May 7, 2017 Vancouver
2017 Women’s World Rugby Sevens May 27-28, 2017 Langford
BC Golf Swing May 29-June 18, 2017 Victoria, Kelowna, Vancouver
BC Bike Race July 5-13, 2017 Cumberland, Powell River, Sechelt, North Vancouver, Squamish, Whistler
Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival July 7-9, 2017 Nanaimo
FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Grand Prix July 20-23, 2017 Richmond
Honda Celebration of Light July 29, August 2, August 5, 2017 Vancouver
Rockin’ River Music Fest August 3-6, 2017 Merritt
Quesnel Skyfest  (*cancelled due to forest fires) August 4-6, 2017 Quesnel
ArtsWells Festival of all Things Art August 4-7, 2017 Wells
World Indigenous Basketball Challenge August 8-12, 2017 Vancouver
25th Annual Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival August 14-21, 2017 Salmon Arm
2017 ITU World Multisport Championships August 18-27, 2017 Penticton
Slow Food Cycle Sunday August 20, 2017 Pemberton
2017 Pacific Links Bear Mountain Championship Sept 11–17, 2017 Langford
7th Karate-do Goju-kai Global Championships Sept 28–Oct 1, 2017 Richmond
2017 GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon October 6 – 8, 2017 Victoria
2017 World Under 17 Hockey Championships November 5–11, 2017 Dawson Creek, Fort St. John
Funding recipients for 2018
2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships January 8–14, 2018 Vancouver (UBC)
Coldsnap – Prince George Winter Music Festival January 26-February 3, 2018 Prince George
2018 Freeride World Tour Kicking Horse February 3–9, 2018 Kicking Horse  and Golden
Big White 2018 Para Snowboard World Cup February 5-8, 2018 Big White
Lunar New Year Festival February 8-26, 2018 Richmond, Vancouver
2018 Just For Laughs (JFL) NorthWest February 27-March 10, 2018 Vancouver
HSBC Canada Men’s Rugby Sevens Series March 10-11, 2018 Vancouver
Juno Ancillary Events March 19-25, 2018 Vancouver
2018 Sport Chek Canadian National Technical Alpine Ski Championships March 21-24, 2018 Red Mountain Resort, Rossland
Snowbombing Canada April 5-9, 2018 Sun Peaks
World Ski & Snowboard Festival April 11-15, 2018 Whistler
BMO Vancouver Marathon May 6, 2018 Vancouver
Northern FanCon May 11-13, 2018 Prince George
HSBC Canada Women’s Rugby Sevens Series May 12-13, 2018 Langford
RBC Cup May 12-20, 2018 Chilliwack
Vancouver Craft Beer Week May 25-June 3, 2018 Vancouver
Mackenzie Tour – BC Golf Swing May 28-July17, 2018 Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna
Golf Canada National Championships Series May 28-August 24, 2018 Chilliwack, Van, Tsawwassen, Duncan, Victoria
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival June 6-September 22, 2018 Vancouver
2018 Tough Mudder Whistler June 16-17, 2018 Whistler
2018 Canada Cup International Wheelchair Rugby Tournament June 12-18, 2018 Richmond
2018 Canadian Gymnaestrada June 27-July 2, 2018 Richmond
International Choral Kathaumixw July 3-7, 2018 Powell River
Big White Invitational Slopestyle 2018 July 6-8, 2018 Big White
2018 Bass Coast Festival July 6–9, 2018 Merritt
Squamish Wind Festival July 26-28, 2018 Squamish
Sooke Fine Arts Show July 27 – August 6, 2018 Sooke
Honda Celebration of Light July 28, August 1, August 4, 2018 Vancouver
ArtsWells Festival of All Things Art August 3 – 6, 2018 Wells (and Barkerville Heritage Site)
Vanderhoof International Airshow August 4, 2018 Vanderhoof Municipal Airport
Vancouver Mural Festival August 6 – 11, 2018 Vancouver
Abbotsford International Airshow August 10 – 12, 2018 Abbotsford
Edge of the World Music Festival August 10 – 12, 2018 Tlell (Haida Gwaii)
2018 International Ornithological Congress and Birding Festival August 19-26, 2018 Vancouver
Vancouver Island Blues Bash September 1-3, 2018 Victoria
Primal Quest Expedition Adventure Race September 6-15, 2018 Lillooet, Pemberton, Whistler, Squamish
Luna Art Festival September 28-30, 2018 Revelstoke
Salute to the Sockeye September 28-October 21, 2018 Roderick Haig-Brown Park, Lee Creek (near Kamloops)
Festival of the Grape September 30, 2018 Oliver
BreakOut West 2018 October 10 – 14, 2018 Kelowna
World Rowing Coastal Championships October 11 – 14, 2018 Sidney
World Accordion and Tango Festival – 68th World Accordion Championships November 10-18, 2018 Victoria
2018 Vancouver Showcase of U.S. College Basketball (NCAA) November 18-24, 2018 Vancouver
Viessmann Luge World Cup November 27 – December 1, 2018 Whistler
2018 International Skating Union (ISU) Grand Prix of Figure Skating December 2–9, 2018 Vancouver (UBC)
Funding recipients for 2019
PuSh Festival 2019 January 15 – February 3, 2019 Vancouver
Coldsnap January 25 – February 2, 2019 Prince George
Lunar New Year Festival January 31 – February 19, 2019 Vancouver, Richmond
Freeride World Tour Kicking Horse 2019 February 2-8, 2019 Kicking Horse & Golden
Big White 2019 World Para Snowboard World Cup February 3 – February 8, 2019 Big White
2019 World Para Nordic Ski Championships February 13-24, 2019 Prince George
JFL (Just For Laughs) NorthWest February 14 – 24, 2019 Vancouver
BMW IBSF Bobsleigh and Skeleton World Championships 2019 February 25 – March 10, 2019 Whistler
HSBC Mens Canada Sevens Rugby March 9 – March 10, 2019 Vancouver
Snowbombing Canada April 4 – April 8, 2019 Sun Peaks
World Ski & Snowboard Festival April 9-14, 2019 Whistler
Vancouver Sun Run April 14, 2019 Vancouver
Super Channel National Boxing Championships April 23-27, 2019 Langford
Art Vancouver April 25 – April 28, 2019 Vancouver
Northern FanCon May 3 – 5, 2019 Prince George
BMO Vancouver Marathon May 5, 2019 Vancouver
Surf Canada National Championships & Canada Olympic Trials May 10 – 15, 2019 Tofino, Ucluelet
HSBC Womens Canada Sevens Rugby May 11 – 12, 2019 Langford
Mackenzie Tour – BC Golf Swing May 20 – June 16, 2019 Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna
Thunderbird Park Nations Cup and World Cup Tournament May 22 – June 3/August 14 – 26 Langley
Vancouver Craft Beer Week May 31 – June 9, 2019 Vancouver
Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race June 1-14, 2019 Nanaimo, Comox, Campbell River, Sayward, Telegraph Cove, Port Hardy, Ucluelet, Victoria
Women Deliver 2019 Culture Night June 5, 2019 Vancouver
Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival June 5 – September 21, 2019 Vancouver
Pacific Distance Carnival & Canadian 10,000m Championship June 13, 2019 Burnaby
Strongman Classic June 14 – June 15, 2019 Cranbrook
Tough Mudder Whistler 2019 June 15 – 16, 2019 Whistler
NHL Entry Draft June 21 – June 22, 2019 Vancouver
Concord Pacific Dragon Boat Festival June 21 – 23, 2019 Vancouver
FVDED in the Park July 5-6, 2019 Surrey
Trans BC 6 Day Mtb Enduro July 8-13, 2019 Panorama, Invermere, Kimberley, Fernie
Wind Festival for the Arts July 9-27, 2019 Squamish
2019 Big White Invitational Slope Style July 11-14, 2019 Big White
Parksville Beach Festival July 11-August 18, 2019 Parksville
Bass Coast Festival July 12-15, 2019 Merritt
2019 World Jet Boat Championships July 19-21, 2019 Taylor
2019 TransRockies Classic July 22-28, 2019 Panorama to Fernie
Windfest at Nitinat July 26-28, 2019 Nitinat
CanWest Games July 26 – 28, 2019 Coquitlam
Honda Celebration of Lights July 27, July 31, August 3 Vancouver
Vancouver Bach Festival July 30, August 9, 2019 Vancouver
Sunfest Country Music Festival August 1-4, 2019 Lake Cowichan
Chilliwack Sunflower Festival August 1-September 15, 2019 Chilliwack
Filberg Festival August 2 – 5, 2019 Comox
ArtsWells Festival August 2-5, 2019 Wells
Vancouver Mural Festival August 5-10, 2019 Mt Pleasant
Five Acre Shaker Music & Arts Festival August 8-11, 2019 Port Alberni
Abbotsford International Airshow August 9-11, 2019 Abbotsford
Crankworx Whistler August 9-18, 2019 Whistler
Clover Valley Beer Festival August 10, 2019 Cloverdale
Princeton Traditional Music Festival August 12-18, 2019 Princeton
Salmon Arm Roots & Blues Festival August 12-18, 2019 Salmon Arm
Invermere Musicfest Waterfront Music Festival August 16-17, 2019 Invermere
Nelson International Mural Festival August 16-18, 2019 Nelson
Steveston Dragon Boat Festival August 24, 2019 Steveston
WBSC Americas Softball Olympic Qualifier August 25-September 1, 2019 Surrey
Ryga Festival August 28 – September 2, 2019 Summerland
2019 RBC GranFondo Whistler September 7, 2019 Whistler
FIL World Indoor Lacrosse Championship September 19 – 28, 2019 Langley
Vancouver International Film Festival September 26 – October 11, 2019 Vancouver
Festival of the Grape October 6, 2019 Oliver
Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon October 11-13, 2019 Victoria
Edge to Edge Marathon October 20, 2019 Ucluelet
2019 Vancouver Writers Fest October 21-27, 2019 Vancouver
Funding recipients for 2020
Victoria Film Festival February 7-16, 2020 Victoria
Capital City Comic Con March 19-21, 2020 Victoria

 

 

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