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Reviving the meetings and events industry and helping BC tourism professionals get back to work is a number one priority at PDS. On March 24 the Premier made an announcement referencing the Community Partner Program for Immunize BC.  Alongside partners such as Air Canada, WestJet, YVR, and Tourism Whistler, PDS is pleased to be involved in this cost-recovery program to provide staffing and logistical services for vaccination clinics within Vancouver Coastal Health. It is estimated that 1400+ workers will be brought in to help service all of the clinics throughout BC. PDS estimates we will hire close to 100 people from the hospitality sector (meetings & events first and foremost) over the 3 locations we are managing for the smaller vaccination sites on the North Shore and Sea to Sky Corridor.

While it is a cost-recovery initiative, it is a positive step toward restarting employment in our hospitality sector.  It has been fantastic seeing such an overwhelming response from our industry to sign up for the available positions.  The smiling faces of those already on-site are heartwarming.  People are so grateful and happy to be back on the job, contributing to making a positive impact in these communities.  This is step one on the recovery front and our team at PDS is proud to be a part of it. 

“PDS  is proud to be a Community Partner in B.C.’s mass vaccination effort – supporting the clinical teams on the North Shore and Sea to Sky Corridor, who are working tirelessly to get as many British Columbians vaccinated as quickly as possible. Responding quickly and effectively to urgent and immediate requests is exactly what our meetings and events industry specializes in.  We are well-prepared to play our part in this community project – the faster we can get our province vaccinated, the faster our tourism industry, and specifically our business meetings and events sector, can get up and running again.” – Joanne Burns Millar, CEO

Read the press release here.

Image source: Ben Nelms/CBC

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