North Cariboo Tourism Forum

The City of Quesnel, in partnership with the Cariboo Regional District, invite you to join us for a full-day event focused on strengthening tourism in the North Cariboo region. This free event brings together tourism operators, businesses, community partners and tourism agencies to network, share insights, and collaborate on strategies to grow our local visitor economy.

Details:
Date: February 19, 2026
Time: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Quesnel & District Senior’s Society
461 Carson Ave, Quesnel, BC V2J 2R2
Cost: No Cost. Breakfast and lunch provided.

Registration is now open!
Click here to register for the North Cariboo Tourism Forum

What is the purpose for the North Cariboo Tourism Forum?
Connect with industry experts and local operators across the North Cariboo
Discover cooperative marketing initiatives and funding programs
Participate in discussions on challenges and solutions for the sector
Gain further insights on the state of tourism within the North Cariboo

Who Should Attend?

• Hotels & Motels
• Restaurants
• Event organizers
• RV Parks & Campgrounds
• Caterers
• Tour guides & operators
• Resorts
• Experience operators
• Retailers
• Indigenous tourism stakeholders
• North Cariboo marketing partners
• Businesses that cater to visitors
• Any business or organization that has tourism interests!

The North Cariboo Tourism Forum will provide opportunity for new and established tourism businesses to meet one another and become fully engaged in the local tourism landscape. It’s a great networking opportunity.

Operators are not always certain who’s-who in tourism and what they can offer local businesses. The North Cariboo Tourism Forum will bring together many agencies that work to support tourism and provide details on how they can support your business.

Learn about the current state of tourism in the North Cariboo. The City of Quesnel has been gathering data from across the North Cariboo to inform the Tourism and Event Hosting Inventory. This report assesses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the North Cariboo’s visitor economy and how, together, we can continue to grow the North Cariboo as a desirable destination. Thank you to all the operators who provided insights to the plan and other tourism initiatives in recent years.

We want to build relationships within the local tourism sector and have productive discussions about how we can all work together to support tourism.

North Cariboo Tourism Forum Highlights

• Tourism and Event Hosting Report Overview
• Marketing and Partnership Opportunities
• Panel Discussions with tourism and business support organizations
• Topics include Destination Development, Marketing, Business support and expansion, and more!
• Looking ahead, what do you need and how can we all work together?
• Networking Sessions with other operators and agencies

8:00 AM Registration & Breakfast
8:30 AM Welcome & Land Acknowledgement
9:00 AM Ice Breaker
9:45 AM Panel 1: Destination Development & Local Business
This panel will explore how Quesnel, Wells, and the North Cariboo are being marketed as a destination, what current tourism trends mean for the region, and how local businesses can better understand and connect with their visitors. The session will conclude with an open Q&A focused on practical takeaways for operators and partners.
Panelists:
– Destination BC
– Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association
– City of Quesnel
– Quesnel Chamber of Commerce
– Ministry of Jobs and Economic Growth
10:45 AM Coffee & Networking
11:00 AM Tabletop workshop – Opportunity Builder for Packages, Partnerships & Activations
11:30 AM Sharing of workshop ideas & outcomes
12:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM Panel 2 – Expand Your Business
This panel will focus on practical ways to expand your business, from extending your operating season to accessing funding, marketing, and partnership opportunities through organizations such as Community Futures and WorkBC. The session will conclude with a Q&A to connect businesses with available resources and next steps.
Panelists:
– Community Futures North Cariboo
– Cariboo Regional District
– Go2HR
– Quesnel Chamber of Commerce
– Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association
– City of Quesnel
– Indigenous Tourism BC
– Northern Development Initiative Trust
2:15 PM Coffee & Networking
2:30 PM Session: Looking Ahead
This session will focus on what businesses and organizations need to succeed and how stronger collaboration can support shared goals across the community. The discussion will highlight partnership opportunities and conclude with an open Q&A.
4:00 PM Closing and send off