Tourism delegates discover the North Island

PORT HARDY – About 100 delegates from all over Vancouver Island converged on the North Island last week for the Tourism Vancouver Island convention.

The annual convention is hosted by different communities each year and has not been held in Port Hardy for more than a decade.

"It went over very well," says Treena Smith, manager of the Port Hardy and District Chamber of Commerce. "The most incredible thing about it is you often go to these events and you don't get to network.

"That wasn't the case here. We created that warm feeling where everyone was talking. Everyone was very relaxed."

Delegates agreed.

"Everyone has been so welcoming," commented one delegate from Tofino.

"We just never knew this was all up here," said another delegate during a tour of community.

The three-day convention included whale watching, golf, an outdoor reception at Carrot Park, and workshops. A gala dinner and awards ceremony was held at the Civic Centre.

Thursday morning the Tourism Vancouver Island annual general meeting was held before delegates headed for home.

Source ref: http://www.northislandgazette.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=21&cat=43&id=988587&more=