• Projects are collaborative in nature and include financial participation of at least two Partners of Kootenay Rockies Tourism.

• Marketing messages clearly promote the destination as well as the individual product.

• Projects are undertaken within vertical market groupings of Touring and Getaway, Snowsports, Golf, Adventure and Meeting and Incentive.
   

• Projects are principally directed at short-haul markets including Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, BC, Washington, Idaho and Montana.

The total Tourism BC contribution to Kootenay Rockies Tourism collaborative tourism marketing initiatives under this Program is $534,000 annually, enabling us to deliver approximately $1.1 million in projects.
 

Partners Plus Program

The Partners Plus Program offers opportunities for tourism businesses, communities and consortiums to gain exposure through cooperative marketing projects directed at the North America long-haul markets; designed and delivered by Kootenay Rockies Tourism in partnership with Tourism British Columbia.

Opportunities include print, newspaper, radio, television and magazine advertising, website and regional guide participation and attendance at consumer shows.

The overall goals of the Program are to build awareness of the six regional brands and to expand tourism throughout the province.

Cost-sharing of the regional Destination Marketing Organization’s (DMO) marketing initiatives by Tourism BC is guided by the Partners Plus Guidelines. Annual marketing plans are reviewed and projects approved for funding of either 35% or 50%, based on a number of criteria including:

• Projects are collaborative in nature and include financial participation of at least two Partners of Kootenay Rockies Tourism.

• Marketing messages clearly promote the destination as well as the individual product.

• Projects are undertaken within vertical market groupings of Touring and Getaway, Snowsports, Golf, Adventure and Meeting and Incentive.
   

• Projects are principally directed at North America long-haul markets including California, Colorado, Oregon, Ontario, New York and Texas.

The total Tourism BC contribution to Kootenay Rockies Tourism collaborative tourism marketing initiatives under this Program is $75,000 annually, enabling us to deliver approximately $150,000 in projects.
 

Community Marketing Program

The Community Marketing Program provides marketing support for communities to increase tourism revenues from close-in markets. 

Complementary to the Tourism Partners Program which provides short-haul opportunities for communities and businesses, this Program enables communities to develop and implement individual, unique projects in conjunction with individual businesses.

Opportunities include print, newspaper, radio, television and magazine advertising.

Cost-sharing of the communities' marketing initiatives by Kootenay Rockies Tourism is guided by the Community Marketing Program Guidelines. Application for cost-sharing of tourism marketing initiatives must be identified in the Official Community Tourism Plan and will be approved based on a number of criteria including:

• Marketing messages clearly promote the Community as well as individual activities.

• Advertising will include a single call-to-action and promote or imply an overnight stay.
   

• Marketing initiatives will include a tracking mechanism.

The total Tourism BC contribution to Kootenay Rockies Tourism collaborative tourism marketing initiatives under this Program is $75,000 annually, enabling us to cost-share approximately $150,000 in projects.
 

The Fine Print

The collaborative projects identified in this Program Guide are included in the Kootenay Rockies Tourism Business Plan, which has been approved by Tourism British Columbia.

The projects, or any of their particulars, may be altered or cancelled at any time. Continuation with each project is dependent on a number of factors including those of a financial and participatory nature.

Participation is based on a number of eligibility criteria - not all businesses or communities are eligible to participate in all projects.

The costs associated with participation in the projects are estimated only and are subject to change at any time. Factors such as the number of partners participating, the costs of materials or other production components, exchange rates and the quotes received by suppliers can all have a significant effect on the final total project cost.