Liquor Industry Update: June 29th, 2023

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues,

Here’s what you’ll find in today’s update:

  •  SPARK BC Hotel & Liquor Conference: sip, sell, succeed!

  • ABLE BC Member Webinar: How to Ace your Liquor Inspection – Thanks for Attending!

  • ABLE BC Liquor Industry Meetings – Thanks for Attending!

  • BCHA Advocacy Win! Expansion of Francophone Mobility Program

  • go2HR Employer Support for Worker Health and Safety During Wildfire Season

  • BCHF Vancouver Golf Tournament, July 17, 2023

  • BCHF Victoria Golf Tournament, August 23, 2023

  • Save the Date: Upcoming Events and Webinar

  • Out and About with ABLE BC!

Find all past updates here.

SPARK BC Hotel & Liquor Conference: sip, sell, succeed!

The highly anticipated second annual SPARK BC Hotel and Liquor Conference is back and better than ever! ABLE BC and the BCHA are joining forces once again to bring together industry experts in hospitality, liquor retail, and accommodation. 

Save the Date: SPARK will take place in New Westminster at the Anvil Centre

on October 16 & 17, 2023
The return of SPARK brings an abundance of sponsorship opportunities. Don’t miss out on your chance to be part of the premier hospitality event of the year and connect directly with your future business partners.

Explore sponsorship opportunities here.

ABLE BC Member Webinar: How to Ace your Liquor Inspection – Thanks for Attending!

Thank you to everyone who attended our webinar on how to ace your liquor inspection yesterday! And a special thank you to Jay Blackwell of Diligent Liquor Management for his insights and information.

If you missed this webinar, a recording will be made available in the Member Portal shortly. If you are an ABLE BC member but aren’t sure how to login to the Member Portal, please email Ann Brydle, Manager of Membership and Communication, at ann@ablebc.ca to get your password.

Our Member Portal is filled with tools and resources to help your business thrive. Find our FAQs, free pdf downloads, event registration, past webinar recordings are more! Learn about and connect with our valued benefit providers (Global Payments, Foodbuy, VI Banking, Western Financial, and more) and Associate Members. Browse through the member directory to connect with industry experts and suppliers.

Update your profile to ensure your contact information is correct and make sure you are subscribed to our bi-weekly Industry Update newsletter. You can also upload your company logo and social media channels and add employee accounts so your key staff can access the full suite of ABLE benefits and resources.

Questions about the member portal? Email Ann at ann@ablebc.ca or watch the Member Portal introduction webinar.

Not yet a member of ABLE BC? Sign up today to gain access to all of our benefits and resources and support our important advocacy work!

ABLE BC Liquor Industry Meetings – Thanks for Attending!

This morning’s meeting in Penticton was the final stop in ABLE BC’s tour of the Okanagan and Kootenays. Thank you to everyone who came out to join us!

Hearing directly from our members and industry colleagues is one of the most important ways we stay informed on the issues that matter most to you. Top issues raised by licensees included: concerns about increasing homelessness and property crime, chronic labour shortages, a crippling lack of affordable worker housing, and the impact of rising inflationary costs.

If you weren’t able to make a meeting but would still like to chat with ABLE’s Executive Director Jeff Guignard, please send him a note at jeff@ablebc.ca.  

 BCHA Advocacy Win! Expansion of Francophone Mobility Program

We’re delighted to share some good news from our friends at the BC Hotel Association (BCHA). The BCHA and other industry partners have advocated to expand the Francophone Mobility Program, which now offers new recruitment avenues for businesses dealing with a workforce crisis. You now have the opportunity to hire eligible international candidates with a moderate command of French in various occupations without the cost and process of an LMIA 

Click here to learn more.

go2HR Employer Support for Worker Health and Safety During Wildfire Season

Employees can suffer from physical and psychological struggles when experiencing wildfires. Whether there is a wildfire in the area right now or one is approaching, go2HR suggests these practical ways employers can support workers through these difficult times:

  • Check-In– each employee will react differently to the changing conditions. Establish open communication channels by regularly checking in with them to see how they’re doing and encourage them to come to you with any worries. 

  • Communicate –before, during, and after. Workers must know you care about their physical and psychological well-being throughout the evolving situation. When needed, connect them with additional information and resources such as employee family assistance programs, mental health resources, area evacuation instructions, and potentially even physical places to go. 

  • Be Flexible– come together and support one another while maintaining flexible expectations. While some employees may need time to deal with personal situations, others may desire to be involved in the revival of the business operation.

  • Move Forward- after a wildfire moves through an area, everyone's attention will turn to regaining a sense of normalcy. Ensure employees know the impacts on the business and what to expect in the short and long term. Workers may want to know the following: 

    • when they can expect to get back to work,

    • what their schedule and duties will be, and

    • what to do if they need additional time to sort out personal challenges.

To help employers navigate these challenging times, go2HR has curated a list of useful resources relating to wildfire preparation, the hazards of smoke exposure and mental health supports:

BCHF Vancouver Golf Tournament, July 17, 2023

The  BC Hospitality Foundation ’s Vancouver Golf Tournament returns to Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club for a 13th year on July 17! 

The BCHF is seeking experienced and aspiring golfers to come out and help raise money for the important work the foundation does with medical relief funding and for industry scholarships.

Monday, July 17
Westwood Plateau Golf and Country Club – 3251 Plateau Boulevard, Coquitlam

10:30 am | Registration begins

11:30 am | Shotgun Start

Interested in sponsoring the tournament or donating to the silent auction? Reach out to samantha@sasparilla.ca for more information.

  BCHF Victoria Golf Tournament, August 23, 2023

The  BC Hospitality Foundation ’s Victoria Golf Tournament returns to Olympic View Golf Club for a 9th year on August 23! 

The BCHF is seeking experienced and aspiring golfers to come out and help raise money for the important work the foundation does with medical relief funding and for industry scholarships. 

Wednesday, August 23
Olympic View Golf Club - 643 Latoria Road

11:30 am | Registration begins

1:00 pm | Shotgun Start

Interested in sponsoring the tournament or donating to the silent auction? Reach out to samantha@sasparilla.ca for more information.

Out and About with ABLE BC!

ABLE BC’s Executive Director has been touring the Okanagan and Kootenays, meeting with members and industry professionals in several communities. These industry meetings play a key role in directing our advocacy efforts and help us better understand what industry cares about now. And they’re a great way to get to know our members!

Thank you to everyone who has come to a meeting! We’re looking forward to meeting with more members in Northern BC later this year.

Missed out on coming to a meeting? You can get in touch with us at any time at 604-688-5560 or jeff@ablebc.ca. You can also meet us this October in New Westminster at the annual SPARK conference! Scroll up for more details.

In case you missed it, ABLE BC has been in the news recently:

Ann Brydle