Vancouver Island | Graeme Owsianski
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.
Richmond | Kezia Nathe
All applicants are required to demonstrate how the event meets the following criteria:
Mandatory:
Desirable:
Given the volume of requests and limited funding, the following criteria are also considered:
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.
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 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.
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.
Successful applicants will have the following responsibilities:
See FAQs for more information.
Inquiries and applications should be sent to TourismEventsProgram@gov.bc.ca
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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