Liquor Industry Update: July 21, 2022
Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,
Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:
Reminder: ABLE BC Seeking Logistics & Delivery Partner for new buyABLE Platform
WorkSafeBC Announces Preliminary Base Premium Rates for 2023
Digital Marketing Bootcamp Program Extended
VI Banking ATM For Sale
go2HR FREE Health and Safety Training Course
Federal Wine Sector Support Program
Celebrating Our Industry!
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
Out and About with ABLE BC!
Join ABLE BC Today!
Find all past updates here.
Reminder: ABLE BC Seeking Logistics & Delivery Partner for buyABLE Platform
In case you missed it, yesterday we circulated this letter outlining our progress on a new buyABLE buying platform, being developed in partnership with PivoHub.
ABLE BC is currently seeking a logistics and delivery partner to support our buyABLE platform.
If you would like to learn more about buyABLE and how you can assist in securing a logistics partner, please email Executive Director Jeff Guignard at jeff@abebc.ca.
WorkSafeBC Announces Preliminary Base Premium Rates for 2022
WorkSafeBC has announced the preliminary base premium rates for 2023. The average base rate is 1.55 percent of employers’ assessable payroll, which has been maintained at the same level since 2018.
2023 employer experience rating letters, confirming the new rates, are expected to be available at the end of July—which is significantly earlier than the typical fall schedule. This change is intended to provide employers more time to plan for any potential cost increases when budgeting for 2023.
Click here to learn more about 2023 preliminary base rates.
Digital Marketing Bootcamp Program Extended
The province has provided Alacrity Canada with an additional $1.5 million to run the Digital Marketing Bootcamp Program and support more than 2000 BC businesses in their recovery by gaining digital marketing skills.
“The Digital Marketing Bootcamp has been a huge success and is one of the ways we continue to support businesses that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs, Economic Recovery and Innovation. “Through this program and our StrongerBC Economic Plan, BC business owners are empowered with knowledge, tools and skills that will help them pivot their businesses to match the needs of the changing digital world.”
Click here to read the Government press release.
Click here to learn more about Alacrity’s Digital Marketing Bootcamp.
VI Banking ATM For Sale
David MacKenzie, of Pemberton Valley Lodge, has a VI Banking ATM available for sale. He is asking $500 for the machine, which can be set up by VI Banking.
Pick up at the Lodge (1490 Sea to Sky Highway, Pemberton) is preferred, but shipping can be arranged for an additional fee.
The machine measures approximately 52” high, 22” deep, and 16” wide.
If you are interested in purchasing, please contact David at david@pembertonvalleylodge.com or 604-894-2037.
go2HR FREE Health and Safety Training Course
Take go2HR's popular online Occupational Health and Safety Program Fundamentals training course – choose to take part in the entire curriculum or individual elements as needed.
Each of the nine elements range from 30-90 minutes and cover essential health and safety topics, including:
Hazard Identification and Control,
Investigation of Incidents/Accidents,
Training and Instruction of Employees,
Joint Health and Safety Committees, and many more!
Occupational Health and Safety Program Fundamentals is FREE for those working in BC’s Tourism & Hospitality industry and anyone enrolled in the COR program!
Click here to register.
Federal Wine Sector Support Program
A reminder that the application process for the new federal Wine Sector Support Program is open until August 12, 2022.
All licensed wineries in Canada that produce or contract out the production of bulk wine from primary agricultural products will be eligible for support under the program.
Resources:
Click here to view a webinar recording on the program from July 4
Click here for the Wine Sector Support Program website at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Click here to access the Application Guide
Celebrating Our Industry!
The BC Hospitality Foundation is proud to announce the 2022/2023 Board of Directors.
BCHF is pleased to congratulate Sandra Oldfield on her election as the new Chair of the Board. Sandra will be working alongside Darcy Barish as Vice Chair, Bill Senghera as Treasurer, Richard Dittmar as Secretary, and Jeff Guignard as Past Chair.
The BCHF would like to recognize and appreciate the leadership provided by ABLE BC’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard during his tenure as Chair of the BCHF’s Board of Directors during the past three years.
Click here to read more about the BCHF’s current Board and team.
The MICHELIN Guide is coming to Vancouver!
Last week, Destination BC celebrated the announcement at the Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA) with students from both PICA and Vancouver Community College’s School of Hospitality and Culinary Arts. These teams collaborated on designing, preparing, and presenting a unique menu for a reception to celebrate the launch.
The best part of the news? Aspiring young chefs who want to train under the guidance of a MICHELIN-starred team now have the opportunity to do that in Vancouver!
Click here to read more.
We want to celebrate you! Is your business hosting a special event or fundraiser? Are you celebrating an anniversary or important milestone? Has someone on your team been promoted or completed a certification? Have you opened a new or renovated location?
Let us know about your special moments, your amazing teams, and the things you’re most proud of. We’ll share your achievements in our newsletters and on our social channels.
Contact Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca or 604-688-5560.
Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinars
WORTH Association: Yes Shef!
After a successful sold out event in 2019, WORTH Association’s Yes Shef returns! At this long-table dinner, guests will be served five unique courses with wine pairings.
Join WORTH on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 6pm for Yes Shef at Chambar Restaurant (568 Beatty Street, Vancouver) for a night of food and wine from women chefs and sommeliers.
Click here to buy tickets.
BC Hospitality Foundation Victoria Golf Tournament
Sign up for BCHF’s Victoria golf tournament at Olympic View Golf Course! The tournament takes place on Tuesday, August 23rd, and offers a full day of food, drink, and enjoyment. Players partake of bites and beverages at many holes, there are tee prizes and putting contests, and lunch and dinner are included.
This event is a great way to connect with old friends or to expand your network, as it brings together many members of the local hospitality community. It’s been two long years: let’s get our industry together to swing together!
Date: August 23, 2022
Time: 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Location: Olympic View Golf Course, 643 Latoria Rd, Victoria
Out and About with ABLE BC!
While the ABLE BC team continues to work hard for BC’s private liquor industry over the summer, we can’t help but take a little time off for fun as well! Ann took some holiday last week to spend time in Ucluelet relaxing on the beach and hiking the Wild Pacific Trail.
ABLE BC is celebrating the anniversaries of two historic policy wins!
On July 13, 2021, liquor retailers were allowed to sell Special Event Permit holders for the first time! This policy change not only introduced a new revenue stream for private liquor retailers, it also corrected the previous unfair policy of forcing consumers to purchase only from the government’s BC Liquor Stores.
On July 20, 2020, wholesale pricing was introduced for hospitality businesses. This was made permanent on February 23, 2021. This is one of the most important and significant liquor policy changes in a generation and has been an essential part of the economic recovery of our industry.
Join ABLE BC Today!
ABLE BC is the leading liquor advocacy organization in the province. We have a proven track record of success fighting for the interests of Liquor Primary and Licensee Retail Store businesses. We are dedicated to helping our industry come out of the pandemic stronger than ever!
We can’t do our work without the support of our members. ABLE is a non-profit organization and we depend on membership fees to continue to lobby and fight for your needs.
ABLE BC members have access to several benefit programs that offer exclusive discounts and are designed to help your business thrive. In addition to our benefit programs, we offer expert advice, regular webinars, the annual Liquor Industry Conference, and many networking opportunities.