The pace for everyone in the industry seems relentless these days and we continue to identify new and better opportunities to improve the visitor economy here in Burnaby.

Just this past week, I had the opportunity to join a delegation from our city to our sister city, Mesa Arizona. The delegation included Mayor Hurley, council members including Tourism Burnaby board member Councillor James Wang, as well as representatives from the Burnaby Board of Trade, and some of the brilliant minds from our local film industry. We used this trip to explore potential trade opportunities between the two communities, and ideally will see some future collaborations leading to both business and leisure travel to Burnaby.

The Bite of Burnaby event this year was an unprecedented success, with participation from 63 local restaurants. Thanks to strategic social media engagement and collaboration with influencers, we significantly expanded our reach, showcasing the best of Burnaby’s culinary scene to a broader audience.

We are also excited about a new study that we are working on, in collaboration with SFU and TransLink to assess the economic impacts of the tourism industry for the proposed Burnaby Mountain Gondola. This study will help us understand the potential benefits and further enhance Burnaby’s appeal as a key destination for visitors.

As we look forward to the 2026 World Cup, we are exploring opportunities for local engagement and how to leverage this global event to spotlight Burnaby. From hosting visiting teams to planning future activations, we aim to maximize the exposure and benefits for our community.

Lastly, I’ll be attending the Meeting Professionals International World Educational Congress in May to keep abreast of industry trends and opportunities that can drive future events and meetings to our city. It’s an excellent opportunity for learning and networking that will benefit Burnaby.