CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE
INFLUENCE TOURISM’S FUTURE
BY GETTING INVOLVED!
BACKGROUND
As the voice of Canadian Tourism, TIAC is responsible for representing tourism interests at the national level. The advocacy work involves identifying, promoting and supporting policies, programs and activities that will benefit the industry’s growth and development. In 2002, TIAC and its board of directors launched its ‘Circles of Influence’ initiative. The goal was to garner grassroots involvement in national policy development and advocacy. The Circles were essentially advisory groups assigned to specific policy areas as set out by TIAC and its board. The Circles provided the TIAC staff with a reservoir of expertise and knowledge from which to draw upon when dealing with the various public policy issues affecting tourism, travel and transportation.
The Circles of Influence are being reconstituted to parallel the evolving priorities and business planning of the association. Henceforth, there will be four expert advisory groups or Circles. They are: Transportation; Environmental Sustainability; Human Resources; and, Business Development, Marketing & Taxation. The change will be in effect by December 31, 2007.
A CALL TO ACTION
TIAC members and affiliates in good standing, who have expertise or interest in the relevant areas, are invited to self-nominate to participate in the new Circles. A call to action is now in effect to TIAC members and affiliates in good standing to submit an application and become engaged in influencing policy on behalf of the sector. The selection process will be determined by the expertise of the members and their willingness to make a modest commitment of time and effort. The kinds of issues, by no means exhaustive, which each circle might be expected to focus upon are listed beneath each heading.
FOUR NEW CIRCLES OF INFLUENCE
TRANSPORTATION CIRCLE
- Border and Customs Requirements
- Air/Land/ Water Transportation
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY CIRCLE
- Carbon offsetting
- Eco-tourism
- Eco-certification
HUMAN RESOURCES CIRCLE
- Training & Retention
- Career Awareness
- Foreign Workers Program
- Curricula at School / college & university)
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, MARKETING & TAXATION CIRCLE
- Foreign Convention & Tour Incentive Program
- Product Development Funding
- CTC Funding
- Hotel Taxes & Marketing Levies
- Infrastructure and Investment
- Access to Capital Investment
STRUCTURE
The ‘new’ Circles of Influence will be set up into four (4) advisory groups with an ideal number of 8 to 12 members per group. It is recommended that a 2-year term commitment be made with the option to remain in the group subject to ongoing participation, value of contribution, and continued status as a member in good standing of TIAC. Each group will include a member of the TIAC advocacy team and is accountable to the TIAC Board of Directors.
DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES
In order to maximize the use of participants’ time and input, the Circles must be available for periodic conference calls, email polling and feedback, and attendance at a once yearly in-person meeting to be held in conjunction with the Canadian Tourism Leadership Summit.
SUBMISSION / SUBMISSION DEADLINE
Interested candidates can self-nominate by completing the online application form at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=lSoyQYhF3qA3QmNWlYwBbg_3d_3d. All applications are subject to approval by TIAC’s President & CEO. The deadline for applications is October 20, 2007.
If you are interested in participating in one of the proposed Circles of Influence, or would like more information, please contact TIAC’s Vice President, Public Affairs, Christopher Jones, by e-mail at cjones@tiac.travel or by phone at (613) 238-7557.