Ian Tomm
Executive Director
Elevating Adventure
The 2015-16 season was one to remember with good conditions throughout the winter and the continued strengthening of BC's Winter Tourism Economy with winter visitors up over 6% from the previous year. The helicopter and snowcat skiing sector in BC saw strong growth during the 2015-16 season, just over 20% for the sector as a whole and all reports point to this trend continuing into the 16/17 ski season.
The programs and services of HeliCat Canada continue to grow and adapt to the changing needs of industry. Our core services of Policy, Programs and Research all saw significant activity last year. Our core competencies of Government & Public Relations, Conferences/Workshops, Research, Special Projects, Accreditation and Member Service continue to refine and improve. Our communications network also saw maturing with a web and brand update, expansion of our social-media strategy and the continued growth of our Industry eNewsletter program.
Government Relations
On February 2, 2016 the entire BC Adventure Tourism industry meet with senior BC Government officials to discuss the future of the industry. Outcomes from that meeting include; (1) focused attention on License of Occupation document language; (2) addressing inconsistencies in regional interpretation of the AT policy and; (3) a new pilot project in the Kootenay's to work with local and provincial stakeholders on a management plan project addressing public recreation and adventure tourism needs, pressures and interests. In addition to this important tenure focused work, our government relations files on several other fronts including Wildlife & Species at Risk, BC Tourism Policy, Occupational Health and Safety, and Forestry Policy (OLTC) also saw positive progress. It is clear that the role of HeliCat Canada in representing the community of helicopter and snowcat skiing business in BC is strengthening and evolving.
Research & Special Projects
2015/16 was a year that saw significant projects like our Socio-Economic Impact Analysis and WorkSafeBC/Gougeon Insurance funded Noise Exposure of HeliSki Guides project come to completion, among others. The changes the organization made to the Research and Special Projects fund in the fall of 2014 continue to have positive impact on the associations ability to produce meaningful direct and in-direct value to the HeliCat industry and broader community.
Continual Improvement
HeliCat Canada and the community of helicopter and snowcat operators in BC continue to be focused on the fundamental value of Continual Improvement. From our staff and board to Policy, Accreditation and Sustainability Committees and our ad hoc working groups (Helicopter Advisory Committee and OLTC Work Group) this core value of continual improvement permeates all of our activities. Our twice per year face to face meetings continue to be a vital source of information sharing and best practice discussion, including the presentation of meaningful case histories from our sectors recent past.
The HeliCat community is stronger today than it has ever been. Thank you for playing your role in making that happen. I'd especially like to highlight the important and thankless work of the board; Rob Rohn, Chris McNamara, Doug Feely, Beat Steiner, Jeff Honig and Mike Sadan. In looking to 2017 and beyond I see a bright future for our association and the helicopter and snowcat skiing industry in BC.
It continues to be an honour to support this world leading industry and be your voice and face to the world. All the best for a safe, exciting and adventure filled 2017.
Ian Tomm
Executive Director