Time To Make An Impact

Uncovering resources, building skills and showcasing solutions-based thought leadership will be the focus of the sixth IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference when it takes place in Victoria, B.C. from Jan. 22 to 25, 2023.

With a top line-up of industry experts, the 2023 IMPACT conference is already exceeding its delegate goals.

Avoiding drawn out presentations, IMPACT instead encourages informed dialogue and the sharing of opinions and resources among all who attend. In addition to the 2.5-day conference, IMPACT offers a Day of IMPACT on Sun., Jan. 22, 2023, with delegates experiencing sustainability in action in Greater Victoria.

Delegates can choose to include the DAY of IMPACT with their registration which ranges from $1,153,95 (no Day of IMPACT) – $1,363.95.

Co-founder Jill Doucette, Synergy Enterprises, explains that: “IMPACT 2023 is inspired by our delegates who help us define our programming, while we also research far and wide for solutions and resources that can benefit tourism stakeholders across the country.”

Doucette continues: “Nationally there has been a huge uptake on sustainable tourism development, and globally we see more collaboration than ever as the world wide tourism industry works together to lessen tourism’s impact on the growing climate crisis.”

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada ( ITAC) and the Travel Tourism Research Association (TTRA) are back as IMPACT’s strategic partners, guiding its programing.

Intrepid Travel has joined IMPACT as the sole sponsor for its Day of IMPACT and the Glacier sponsor for the conference. The company has been a consistent attendee of the conference in years past, leading workshops and sharing expert knowledge on regenerative tourism and the pathways to decarbonization.

Intrepid’s North America General Manager, Danielle Suarez will attend the 2023 event, observing: “I am so excited to be representing Intrepid Travel at IMPACT this year, coming together with other like-minded industry professionals to discuss and work through the tactical steps required for change.”

Suarez continued: “After a year of building our North America DMC from the ground up, we have many learnings and stories that I cannot wait to share. We believe that the hands-on nature of the IMPACT conference is truly transformative.”

Also back again in 2023 will be the popular PechaKucha (a storytelling format that is as quick as it is impactful), offering real climate solutions to be implemented now.

Plenary and breakout sessions will also follow key themes of reciprocity and partnerships, capacity building, climate action, and diversity. As always, the program will cover IMPACT’s four pillars of Ecology & Environment, Community & Sense of Place, Culture & Heritage, and the Economy.

Morning Dose of Innovations (DOI) will highlight success stories while keynote speakers like Robert Sandford, will continue to challenge delegates to keep on the journey to a more sustainable and regenerative tourism industry for all of Canada.

New sessions this year will address how to build careers with purpose, funding the transition to a more sustainable destination and tourism operation, how to develop effective partnerships to reach your sustainability goals and a deeper look into KPIs and metrics, while exploring ESG best practices.

IMPACT’s sponsors also include: Air Canada, Destination Greater Victoria, Rocky Mountaineer, City of Victoria, MMGY Global, Nanaimo Airport, Huntingdon Manor, Destinations International, Eagle Wing Tours, Prince of Whales, Parkside Hotel & Spa, Inn at Laurel Point, Banff lake Louise Tourism, Richmond Tourism, Simpleview, Chateau Victoria, LA Limousines, Hotel Association of Greater Victoria, Travel Oregon, PNW Transportation, Destination BC, Bannikin Travel & Tourism, Canadian Garden Council.

Ostrom Climate is helping ensure IMPACT remains carbon neutral.

Go to https://www.tourismvictoria.com/impact for more.