Venture to Discovery

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

Having an opportunity to meet and listen to an astronaut is not something everyone can claim, but the opportunity will be there this March in Strathmore for anyone interested. Venture to Discovery, the 2015 Canadian Badlands Annual General Meeting and conference, will be held in Strathmore March 25-27.
Keynote speakers will include the first Canadian female astronaut Roberta Bondar. She is also a neurologist and adventurer who has traveled the world making presentations rich in insight and humour.
“I think it was just an attempt to see the benefits of a conference like this spread around Southern Alberta, spread around the Canadian Badlands and it’s also an opportunity for people to come and see what Strathmore has in terms of its tourism operations,” said Brad Tucker, Executive director for the Canadian Badlands about why Strathmore was chosen as a host community.
Other keynote speakers for the conference include Robin Esrock, a travel journalist, TV host and author of the ‘Great Canadian Bucket List.’ David McKenna, president of Brewster Travel Canada will also be speaking to anyone interested about his commitment to Alberta and its mountain culture. McKenna also played a pivotal role in getting the Glacier Skywalk in Jasper approved.
During the conference there will also be the opportunity for different municipalities to host mini presentations talking about their communities’ success, including Strathmore and the success of the Strathmore Stampede and Running with the Bulls.
“It is open to anybody, so anyone who is interested in tourism, anyone who is interested in hearing one of the keynote (speakers), anyone who is interested in travel or interested in just networking with people from their community,” said Tucker.
“There’s a lot of good reasons to be there, there’s going to be some great food, great entertainment but I think the main thing is just meeting people and gaining that sort of … strength.”
In addition to the mini presentations and the speakers there will be workshops available. Workshops being offered include one on culinary tourism and how to use food as the centre of the experience. There will be a section on social media and learning how use it, keep it effective and really make it happen for your businesses. Another workshop being offered will be on small museum development, and how to get things off the ground.
“We’re going to be talking about growing visitation in the Canadian Badlands, so basically how do we attract people into the region,” said Tucker.
Registration is now open, and there is an early bird savings until March 1. Daily rates are also an option for anyone that would like to see a certain keynote speaker, but not attend the entire conference.
Registration will be accepted until March 12. For more information about the speakers, workshops and accommodations go to www.cblconference.com or call (403) 823-7741.