This group of CUPE BC members meet in Victoria’ Conference Centre on the eve of the union’s annual general meeting, making it their first in-person convention since 2019.
After several years of virtual meetings, Trevor Davies, Secretary-Treasurer of CUPE BC, said he’s looking forward to meeting face-to-face again with members.
“I’ve seen people here that I’ve only seen in the little square over the last two years. And I’m excited to catch up,” Davies said.
Staff unpack audio-visual equipment in the large meeting halls preparing for the biggest convention to be held in the city since the pandemic began.
Davies said 515 delegates from around the province are expected to pack the halls on Wednesday, April 27.
“Zoom, and Teams and all that technology is great for getting business done. But that human element that you really connect with somebody is really best face-to-face,” he added.
Only a few large events took place on Vancouver Island since the start of the pandemic over two years ago.
Public health orders restricted attendance to half-capacity or banned them outright, which has been difficult on the local economy as these business meetings are considered a cornerstone of the region’s tourism industry, according to Destination Victoria CEO Paul Nursey.
“Those are the best customers, they usually spend about 400-percent what a Canadian leisure customer spends. We’re so delighted to see the return of the conference business,” Nursey said.
With the return of large events and more conferences upcoming on the Centre’s calendar, Nursey said hotels are starting to fill up.
“We’re having a few conferences in March, April, May, June, but starting next fall and into next year, it’s looking really good because all these groups need to meet. They need to convene. That’s how you solve the world’s problems, by meeting,” Nursey said.
The next few months at the Conference Centre are expected to be busy as well as the summer calendar has started to fill up since COVID-19 restrictions in the province were dropped.
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Mary Griffin
