| Our marketing portfolio and programs have been in full swing throughout the year for our brands of Travel Columbia Valley, Tourism Radium, Invermere Panorama and Columbia Valley Golf Trail.
Our marketing programs through the year feature a number of key messages from general awareness about the destination, to driving overnight stays, activity bookings, event ticket sales and more. Throughout the summer season, we continued to encourage visitors to “Know Before You Go” by staying informed about travel impacts, local advisories, and closures, while also supporting local businesses and treading lightly in our natural spaces.
Some key highlights include:
· Sharing content on social media to over 50,000 Followers across social platforms
· Welcoming over 750,000 website visits year to date
· New winter/summer updates to Highway 1 Billboard between Calgary and Canmore
· Content creation featuring local businesses, including Columbia River Paddle, Edibles Cafe and Paragraph Mercantile
· Digital advertising campaigns focused on trip planning and activity booking
· Welcoming travel media and influencers across channels, including Leroy & Leroy in Panorama and Radium Hot Springs, and Cayleigh & David to the Columbia Valley
· Sharing inspiration and travel information through our email marketing channels to over 22,000 subscribers for Travel Columbia Valley, Tourism Radium, Invermere-Panorama and Columbia Valley Golf Trail
· Over 200,000 views year to date on Travel Columbia Valley’s YouTube Channel
The team has now shifted to fall and winter marketing campaign planning, including stay & play packages, content creation, media visits and digital/traditional advertising.
| The Columbia Valley Event Funding Program has supported 39 events so far in 2026, providing $99,700 in grant funding. We are proud to support many of the Columbia Valley’s signature events, including Radius Rhythm and Riffs, Crazy Soles Nipika Run, Rocky Mountain Rally, Bull Riding in the Rockies, and more! We look forward to seeing these incredible events continue to grow and enhance the visitor experience.
In May, the team celebrated the start of the summer season in Fairmont Hot Springs by co-hosting Picnic Palooza, a fun event with live music, food trucks, and market vendors. The start of summer brought forth another season of Market & Music on Main in Radium Hot Springs, with 11 markets running from June – September.
In August, our team was proud to host the exclusive two-night local premiere of All Night Wrong, a feature film shot right here in the Columbia Valley. This special event gave audiences the opportunity to see the Columbia Valley on the big screen while celebrating a locally filmed production.
Looking ahead to the fall, our team is gearing up for another Car Show Weekend this September with the introduction of Rev Up Radium grants, a micro-grant program for local activations. We’re excited to welcome visitors and residents to the inaugural Radium Oktoberfest on October 3, 2026. This new event will celebrate the flavours and traditions of Oktoberfest in the heart of Radium Hot Springs, with live music all day headlined by Mocking Shadows, European Touch Band, and L8!
Planning is also underway for the second annual Columbia Valley Wedding Expo on October 24, 2026, at the Radium Hot Springs Centre. The expo connects couples with talented local wedding professionals and showcases the Columbia Valley as an exceptional destination for weddings and celebrations.
Be sure to save the date for the Rocky Mountain Outdoor Recreation Summit on November 3, 2026! Hosted in partnership with College of the Rockies, the Summit will bring together recreation organizations, businesses, Indigenous partners, government, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts to connect, share ideas and explore the future of outdoor recreation in the Kootenays. Stay tuned for more information on speakers and registration!
| In May, we were excited to connect with industry partners and stakeholders at our Annual General Meeting, which included a special tourism industry roundtable facilitated by Tourism Industry Association of BC CEO Amber Papou. The roundtable provided an opportunity for open discussion, shared perspectives and conversations about the future of tourism in the Columbia Valley.
Ahead of the summer season, we refreshed our emergency communications workflow and hosted training sessions with local tourism businesses to ensure consistent messaging and improve awareness of available resources in the event of an emergency.
Through the season the team has continued to collaborate with stakeholders across the region through meetings, planning sessions and ongoing projects, while also collecting visitor data and tourism research to help inform future decisions.
We have been working closely with the Columbia Valley Community Economic Development team on a number of projects, including support for the film industry, investment attraction and destination development.
We’re also excited to share that Colin has joined the Columbia Valley Community Economic Development Commission, further strengthening connections between tourism and economic development in the region.
| It has been another busy summer at the Radium Visitor Centre!
Our Visitor Services team of 4 have welcomed over 21,000 visitors through our doors, helping guests discover everything the Columbia Valley has to offer.
Beyond the Visitor Centre, our mobile Visitor Experience team connected with visitors at key events throughout the summer, including Valley Appreciation Day and pop-up information booths at the Fairmont Hot Springs Farmers’ Market, bringing local travel information directly to where visitors were gathering.
Our print collateral, including the Columbia Valley Experience Guide, continues to help visitors plan their trips and make the most of their time in the region. Guides are distributed throughout the Columbia Valley and the Bow Valley in Alberta, helping travellers discover places to stay, eat, explore and experience. This summer, our team also distributed more than 3,000 hiking maps throughout the Columbia Valley, giving visitors practical information to help them safely explore the region’s trails. Take a look at all of the available print pieces to order for your business here.
To ensure visitors receive the best possible recommendations, our Visitor Services team also participated in several familiarization tours with local tourism operators, experiencing firsthand the outstanding attractions, accommodations, and activities available throughout the Columbia Valley.
- Need new photos of your business?
Check out our marketing co-op program to apply for a cost-shared photo/video shoot, or content production.
- Planning an event that could use some funding?
Take a look at the Columbia Valley Event Funding Program for eligibility requirements and to apply for funding up to $2000. Keep an eye out for 2027 event applications opening in the fall.
- Want a wholesale rate on passes to the Radium Hot Springs Pools?
Eligible businesses including accommodators, tourism operators, and nonprofit organizations are able to purchase Radium hot Springs pools passes at a reduced wholesale rate for business use. Check out full program details here.
- Have stay & play promotions to share?
Help the team share your promotions on our travel offers pages on Travel Columbia Valley, Tourism Radium, and Invermere Panorama by submitting your package or promotion using this form.
- Want to be featured on our website and social media?
Send us photos to share, and keep us in the loop on any business updates that may be of interest to visitors by reaching out to hello@travelcolumbiavalley.com.
- Hosting an event you’d like listed on the Events Calendar?
Get your event listed on the heavily-visited Travel Columbia Valley Events Calendar by submitting your event!
- Anything else you’d like to chat about that’s not on this list?
The team is all ears! Reach out to us let’s chat all about your ideas! |
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