Tourism powers BC communities
Why is most of my work focused in Tourism? It’s vital to BC’s economy. Did you know that tourism is a key economic driver in British Columbia? Many don’t know the economic power of this industry. It generated $23.0 Billion in revenue in 2024 and over 16,295 tourism-related businesses support our economy. That $23 billion in revenue is up 4.2% from 2023. Not only is it a huge growth sector, it is outpacing every other primary resource in BC (that’s right — forestry, oil & gas, and mining). Tourism is one of BC’s most dynamic industries and a vital engine for economic growth and opportunity across the province. It’s predominantly run by local small businesses, which are, in turn, one of the province’s largest employers. You know, those businesses we love where the owners know customers by name and raise their families in your community? Other benefits: Tourism also Creates opportunities
Strategic Communications to Deepen Long-term Engagement
Watching the opening ceremonies for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, I was happy to see that a visitor guide I created about the 2010 Winter Games in Whistler is still being actively promoted today, over 14 years later! This is what happens when communications strategy is designed for legacy, not just immediate impact. Most communications efforts are designed to inform, activate, or persuade in the moment. As short-term campaigns, these won’t necessarily advance strategic priorities. But if you’re leading a big shift in your organization, how do you encourage engagement that stands the test of time? The Challenge: Beyond the News Cycle Major events, organizational transformations, and strategic initiatives need foundational communications that: Serves multiple stakeholder groups with competing needs Maintains relevance as priorities shift and leadership changes Transfers ownership from organizers to communities The risk? Investing heavily in campaigns that disappear the moment the press conference
Is your annual conference missing opportunities for genuine connection?
You’re deep into planning your annual event, have chaired a dozen meetings and are crossing fingers your A-list presenters are booked so you can stack the agenda. But how much time is spent designing the experience for attendees? Even successful conferences can unintentionally create barriers between participants. When the organizing committee relies heavily on expert panels and keynote presentations, we risk: Overwhelming attendees with content they can’t absorb or apply Leaving newcomers feeling like outsiders rather than welcomed members of the community Missing opportunities for peer-to-peer connection that can sustain careers and collaborations Underutilizing the unique advantage of gathering in person—something virtual events simply cannot replicate The format may work for logistics and flow, but what if you could make it work better? Do attendees really want to just sit and listen to your speakers? What if your conference could be designed for retention, inclusivity, and the kind of networking that
Facilitating groups to go beyond surface-level consensus
What’s Really Happening When Your Team Gets Stuck You know that feeling when a meeting goes in circles? When the same concerns surface repeatedly, but nothing moves forward? When tension simmers just below the surface, but everyone stays polite? Most facilitators and leaders recognize these moments. What’s harder is knowing what to do about them. With Waterline Co-op, I recently completed training in the Lewis Deep Democracy method, a conflict engagement approach that’s transforming how I support groups through their stickiest challenges. I’m now exploring how to bring these new tools to my facilitation practice. The Iceberg: what you’re not seeing Imagine your group meet on an iceberg. Everything visible: the stated agenda, discussed topics, official positions is above the waterline. But the depth of the team meeting lies below: hidden group dynamics, unspoken emotions, power struggles… the real reasons you’re stuck. When groups can’t make decisions or keep cycling
Make communications a priority to deepen community connection
Why Your Communications Matter More Than You Think As an executive director, you’re juggling fundraising, programs, staff, and board relations. Communications often gets pushed to the bottom of your to-do list. But what if poor messaging is actually making all your other work harder? A recent case study shows how one nonprofit transformed their impact—not by changing their programs, but by getting their story straight. Opportunity: Great Work, Confused Community This established nonprofit was growing and evolving. Demand for its services was up, but they had a problem: their community didn’t understand what they actually did. Here’s what was happening: People didn’t know about their many programs and services Misinformation was spreading about their work Their website looked outdated and didn’t reflect their growth They couldn’t effectively tell funders about their impact Board members gave different descriptions of the organization Despite doing important work, they were struggling to get the
Transform Your Virtual Event from Forgettable to Unforgettable
You’ve likely logged into a virtual conference that felt like nothing more than a webinar series. Attendees check out with cameras off, multitask through presentations, or attempt to network in breakout rooms where everyone stares at each other in awkward silence. Disengaged conference participants forget what they learned and don’t see the return on investment. Event sponsors may be left unhappy. Are virtual conference organizers just doing it wrong? Could your next virtual event be an exception? How to Make Virtual Conferences Engaging When Seeds Consulting was tasked with designing a virtual conference that prioritized connection, learning, and fun, we didn’t just recreate an in-person event online—we reimagined the experience from start to finish. Successful virtual events aren’t about replicating in-person experiences. They’re a chance to explore digital tools and create something entirely new. Three Considerations for Memorable Virtual Events 1. Community First, Content Second Too many conferences use a