TOURISM WHISTLER AFFILIATE PROGRAM

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1 TOURISM WHISTLER AFFILIATE PROGRAM ABOUT TOURISM WHISTLER Formed in 1979, Tourism Whistler is a not-for-profit, Member based marketing and sales organization, representing more than 7,000 Members who own, manage, and operate properties or businesses on Resort Land. The mission of Tourism Whistler is to market and sell Whistler to the world as the yearround mountain resort of choice. To that end, Tourism Whistler is responsible for developing coordinated strategies in the areas of marketing and sales to promote the entire resort, ie the Whistler Brand. KEY FOCUS AREAS Increase Understanding of Whistler s Competitive Advantage Grow Brand Awareness & Engagement Facilitate the Sale Enhance the Visitor Experience Grow our Funding & Value in Kind Improve Member & Stakeholder Engagement Attract & Retain High-Performing Employees Maximize Organization Productivity STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 1. Remove Barriers to Travel 2. Support Capital Innovation & Investment 3. Increase our Funding 4. Grow Destination Markets 5. Attract Large Groups 6. Attract New Events 7. Deliver Innovative & Effective Marketing Campaigns ACTIVITIES Year-round advertising and promotions in key markets Market research and competitive intelligence Tour operator and meeting planner sales World-wide media relations Development of marketing tools such as websites and brochures Production and facilitation of resort-wide signature events and festivals Sponsorship and partnership development Operation of Whistler Conference Centre, Whistler Golf Club, Whistler Visitor Information Centre and Whistler.com (via and whistler.com)

2 OVERVIEW As Tourism Whistler evolves, select businesses are welcomed to further enhance our marketing efforts and visitor experience. Tourism Whistler s Affiliate Program is available to eligible candidates seeking affiliation with Tourism Whistler as either a Product or a Partner Affiliate. Tourism-related business located outside of Whistler s designated Resort Lands, but within the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, may apply for Affiliate status with Tourism Whistler. To understand the designation of Affiliate status, it is important to recognize the distinction between Affiliates and Members of Tourism Whistler: Tourism Whistler is a legislated mandatory membership organization which is empowered to market Whistler on behalf of its obligatory Members. All owners of property on what is designated "Resort Lands" in Whistler are legislated Members of Tourism Whistler. These Members contribute assessment fees on an annual basis to support ongoing marketing and sales initiatives. In fact, more than 70 per cent of Tourism Whistler s annual marketing and sales budget is derived from fees paid by Members. Affiliates represent a select number of organizations which, because of the voluntary and annually renewable nature of their affiliation with Tourism Whistler, do not carry Member status. Tourism-related businesses that can contribute to the existing product and service offerings of the Resort are provided a suite of benefits in return for annual fees. Candidates for the Affiliate Program will be considered based on their capacity to complement the existing suite of products and services made available to our visitors by our Members. As a member-based association, Tourism Whistler s primary obligation is to its legislated Members. The Affiliate Program takes into account the changing business environment of the tourism industry, the needs and interests of our Members, the demands of our visitors and the opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships with businesses outside our mandatory membership base. Please find attached details regarding the classifications of Affiliates, benefits, criteria and application process.

3 CLASIFICATIONS Product Affiliates Accommodation Campgrounds Restaurant/bar/lounge Retail Activity operators Spa, Beauty and treatment services Golf Courses Transportation companies Partner Affiliates Tour operators Property Management Companies Reservation services Not for profit organizations Destination Management Companies BENEFITS Affiliates shall be entitled to receive some of the services accorded to Members. These services are offered to Affiliates at the discretion of Tourism Whistler and are subject to change. Benefits for Product Affiliates Listing, in the appropriate section, on whistler.com s online Business Directory Password access to information and services available via Tourism Whistler s Member website, including: o Statistical research information and analysis produced by Tourism Whistler, as posted on member website o Regular updates regarding ongoing marketing, sales and media relations initiatives o Notifications of opportunities to participate in special resort-wide promotions, activities and events o Tourism Whistler s Image Library Inclusion on Tourism Whistler s electronic distribution lists for monthly e-newsletters, press releases and advisories Invitation to participate in select marketing programs, co-operative advertising programs, special events, trade shows and familiarization tours (when deemed appropriate by Tourism Whistler). This is not guaranteed and only offered if deemed that such participation will be beneficial to Tourism Whistler s Members and/or visitors. Affiliates may be subject to additional fees for participation in these programs Invitation to participate in selected member meetings Representation at the Tourism Whistler Visitor Centre

4 Benefits for Partner Affiliates Listing, in the appropriate section, on whistler.com s online Business Directory Password access to information and services available via Tourism Whistler s Member website, including: o Statistical research information and analysis produced by Tourism Whistler, as posted on member website o Regular updates regarding ongoing marketing, sales and media relations initiatives o Notifications of opportunities to participate in special resort-wide promotions, activities and events o Tourism Whistler s Image Library Inclusion on Tourism Whistler s electronic distribution lists for monthly e-newsletters, press releases and advisories Invitation to participate in selected member meetings Please note: Affiliates shall not be entitled to vote at general Member meetings. Affiliates are not guaranteed representation to be booked through on whistler.com. For more information on potential opportunities with whistler.com, please call Affiliate status and associated privileges may be revoked at the discretion of Tourism Whistler. CRITERIA Each Affiliate application will be considered in terms of the potential it has to increase the Resort s capacity to attract visitors, provide visitors with an enhanced guest experience, and provide value to Tourism Whistler Members and/or visitors. This requires that an Affiliate offer products/services that (a) compliment current Whistler offerings and/or (b) enhance the Resort s capacity to meet market demand. In the case where several candidates seeking Affiliate status are offering the same or similar products/services, Tourism Whistler reserves the right to select the applicant it deems will best serve the interests of Tourism Whistler Members and visitors. Criteria for Application Product or service offered must be located in the Whistler area Product or service encourages visitors to experience Whistler; the product or service should not draw visitors from Whistler to regions outside Whistler Product or service must enhance current Whistler offerings Business must have a valid business license

5 APPLICATION PROCESS Apply through the simple, online form at If you have questions, please contact or call BILLING PROCESS Annual Affiliate fees are billed each year in December and are due on or before January 31. If payment is not received by January 31, the Affiliate account will be deactivated until such time the full annual fee is received in full. For new Affiliates who join part way through the year, the annual Affiliate fees will be prorated and are due in full before the membership is activated. The rate structure for fees associated with the Tourism Whistler Affiliate Program is attached. Please note that in the interest of ensuring equitability with our obligatory membership, Affiliate rates are based on existing obligatory membership rates. Affiliate rates will vary with changes in obligatory membership rates. For fees based on number of units or square footage, they are reduced by 90% to reflect the fact that Affiliates cannot vote in the election of the Board Directors. Unless otherwise noted, all fees based on square footage are calculated using the square footage of the business premise less exempted areas which are: corridors, stairways, meeting rooms, kitchen, laundry and utility rooms, hotel reception areas, washrooms, and storage areas.

6 Affiliate Program RATE STRUCTURE 2015 CLASSIFICATION FEES BASED ON FEE STRUCTURE (Annual) PRODUCT AFFILIATES Accommodation Sleeping area Pays 90% of $ plus GST per bedroom or sofa bed Campgrounds Number of RV and cabin sites 1. RV plus GST per site 2. 90% of $ plus GST per cabin Restaurant/Bar/Lounge Square footage Pays 90% of non-exempt square footage, divided by 150 multiplied by $ plus GST Retail Square footage Pays 90% of non-exempt square footage, divided by 150 multiplied by $ plus GST Activity Operators Flat fee $ plus GST Spa, Beauty and Treatment Services Square footage Pays 90% of non-exempt square footage, divided by 150 multiplied by $ plus GST Golf Courses Flat fee $5, plus GST Transportation Companies Flat fee $ plus GST PARTNER AFFILIATES Tour Operators Flat fee $ plus GST Property Management Companies Flat fee $ plus GST Reservations Services Flat fee $ plus GST Not for profit organizations Flat fee $ plus GST Destination Management Companies Flat fee $ plus GST These rates are quoted as of January 1 st, 2015 and are subject to change All rates are subject to 5% GST Annual Affiliate fees are due January 31 each year. Affiliate members must pay through pre-authrorized payment annually