OFFICIAL OSOYOOS TRADEMARK NOW AVAILABLE FOR USE

As Destination Osoyoos and the Town of Osoyoos announced in the spring, this resort municipality has successfully trademarked its catchy logo and slogan.  Earlier this year the Canadian Intellectual Property Office approved the graphic wordmark and the popular “Osoyoos: Canada’s Warmest Welcome” phrase as the community’s registered ‘official mark’.

The Town officially owns the trademarked brand and DO will work to help any businesses or organizations that want to use the logo and slogan enter into a free licence agreement setting out the rules for proper display and use of the material.

Now, Osoyoos Community Development Manager Jim Newman and DO Executive Director Jo Knight say all the necessary brand graphic materials have been developed – and DO and the Town are ready to talk to businesses and organizations that may wish to include “Osoyoos: Canada’s Warmest Welcome” on their marketing materials.

Newman says, “We will work with Destination Osoyoos to promote the correct use of the brand.  Anyone interested in talking about including the brand can call Jo Knight or me.”  Newman adds that there will be general monitoring of any existing uses of the brand, to make sure that it is displayed appropriately and correctly.  Businesses entering into an agreement for use of the logo and slogan will commit to following the rules for its proper placement.

Knight says, “Destination Osoyoos is honoured to be the stewards of our community’s brand and promise – Osoyoos: Canada’s Warmest Welcome!”  Osoyoos is one of 14 designated BC Resort Municipalities and is in the process of an International Destination Marketing/Management accreditation process.  “Securing the official trademark is a foundation component of our strategy to showcase Osoyoos globally, and is one of the four pillars of our 2011-2013 Tourism Market Development Plan, created by industry leaders in 2010.”

The brand was launched in February 2008 – and it has been enthusiastically embraced by our community and visiting guests.

Officials say by registering the brand, Osoyoos has taken itself to a higher level of professional marketing in the international marketplace.  It is hoped that businesses and organizations will increasingly use the logo and slogan in their efforts to market themselves and this resort community.  Newman can be reached at 250-495-4614 or jnewman@osoyoos.ca and Knight can be reached at 250-495-5070 ext 202 or jknight@destinationosoyoos.com.

 

DELIVERING ON CANADA’S WARMEST – AND SAFEST – WELCOME!

Red Cross Training Partner/Instructor Darryn Caul leads a recent day-long First Aid course in Osoyoos that is helping to deliver on DO’s pilot program to make the town Canada’s Warmest – and Safest – Community.

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Destination Osoyoos recently wrapped up organizing a series of customer-service and first-aid training sessions for local residents and employees at area tourism-related businesses.  More than a dozen workshops and courses were offered between April and August in various of B.C.’s renowned WorldHost® customer-service programs and in St. John Ambulance and Red Cross first-aid and safety programs.

DO Executive Director Jo Knight says more of the courses will be offered this fall, with the schedule now being developed, and depending somewhat on the needs and timing preferred by employers and the prospective participants.

The training initiative is part of DO’s drive to expand on the Warmest Welcome brand and have Osoyoos offer not only “Canada’s Warmest Welcome”, but also its “Safest Welcome”.  DO is the area’s delivery organization for WorldHost® and has also entered into a joint national pilot project with St. John Ambulance to have the most citizens trained in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) per capita of any community in Canada.  Osoyoos is the first community in Canada to conduct a project of this type with St. John Ambulance.

In one of the latest training sessions, a highly qualified Penticton-based instructor led staff from NK’MIP Resort, Wakepilot Wakeboarding, and Destination Osoyoos through a full-day BC Workplace Emergency First Aid & CPR Level A course.  Instructor Darryn Caul, a Red Cross training partner who operates the Okanagan Priority One Trauma first-aid training company, taught participants many critical skills, including operation of an AED unit, and how to:

• Recognize potential and immediate dangers and safely approach any emergency.

• Deal with heart failure, choking, deadly bleeding, shock, etc.

• Manage first-aid records.

• Control head and spinal injuries, poisons, allergies, burns, seizures, asthma, and diabetic emergencies.

Jo Knight says, “It is great to see Osoyoos businesses owning the promise of our Canada's Warmest & Safest Welcome program.”  She adds, “The call for this session – from Rob Rausch, of Wakepilot Wakeboarding – came at the perfect time, since I was due for a re-certification in First Aid, CPR and AED.  Providing a world-class experience for our visitors is what it is all about!”

Rausch stresses the importance of First Aid training for everyone, and particularly for people who spend a lot of time on or around the water.

“As a Water Ski & Wakeboard Canada-certified wakeboarding school, all of our instructors are required to have valid First Aid credentials – and it just makes good sense.  Fortunately, we’ve never had any incidents with our riders, but be have had occasion to respond to other incidents, both on and off the water,” Rausch says.

“In the course of a busy summer on the lake, there are numerous opportunities to respond to incidents and use First Aid skills,” he adds.  “Anybody who spends a lot of time on Osoyoos Lake should seriously consider taking this First Aid training.”

The WorldHost® and St. John Ambulance workshops are nationally recognized and participants receive a certificate upon completion.  Knight says more workshops will be scheduled in Osoyoos throughout the remainder of the year.

 

D.O. APPLYING FOR WORLD-CLASS ACCREDITATION

Destination Osoyoos prides itself in being a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) that is continually learning and implementing excellence and ‘best practices’ in all of its activities.  Now DO is getting ready to apply for international accreditation which will show that it really is a first-class DMO.

Executive Director Jo Knight says she is currently reviewing all of DO’s programs and procedures, making sure they meet top international standards, and she is preparing a comprehensive application which will go forward by the end of 2011 for accreditation under the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP).

Knight says accreditation “is a good move for an organization like DO because it allows us to demonstrate that we meet high standards of performance which are defined by the industry.”

DMAP, operated by the Destination Marketing Association International (DMAI), includes 58 mandatory and 30 voluntary standards developed by tourism marketing experts.  To become accredited, a DMO must prove that they meet these standards.

The standards cover a wide range of topics including governance, finance, management, human resources, technology, visitor services, group services, sales, communications, membership, brand management, destination development, research, innovation, and stakeholder relations.

At the same time as she is preparing DO’s accreditation application, Knight is also pursuing her own certification under DMAI’s “Certified Destination Management Executive” (CDME) program.  It is recognized as the highest educational achievement in the destination marketing industry.  It is an advanced training program for senior DMO executives, and it focuses on vision, leadership, productivity and business strategies.

Knight has received a scholarship from DMAI to put towards her CDME education.  The program can take up to four years to complete.

 

GREAT NEW IMAGES WILL PROVIDE BIRDS’-EYE VIEW OF OSOYOOS

Photographer Gord Wylie

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Just a couple of months after posting more than 70 beautiful photos to a new Image Gallery on its website, Destination Osoyoos is now arranging to add a number of stunning new aerial shots to the Gallery.

In August, DO commissioned noted South Okanagan photographer Gord Wylie to do an extensive photo-shoot of Osoyoos and area from a helicopter – and the results promise to be spectacular!

Wylie says the day he did his assignment, Aug. 27, was perfect for aerial photography – a crisp, clear summer day that did a great job of showing off the blue sky and the particularly lush vegetation and colours of the Osoyoos desert landscape and surrounding hillsides.

“I did a complete 360-degree tour of Osoyoos – including the beaches, resorts, golf courses, boaters, and the area – from altitudes ranging from 700 feet to 5,000 feet,” Wylie says.  “I also got some great views of Osoyoos from the U.S. side, showing just how close the community is to the border.”

The veteran professional photographer – who has shot covers for magazines such as Canadian Living, BC Golf, and Boats & Places, and who was official photographer for the high-profile Skins Game held in 2000 at Predator Ridge Golf Course – says the seven-passenger CE-130 chopper from Atom Helicopters in Oliver which took him aloft was perfect for a photo assignment, because of its minimal vibration.

DO Executive Director Jo Knight says, “Gord's photos will enhance our marketing image bank  and provide unique photos for the online Image Gallery.  It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words.  Well, Gord’s images beautifully showcase the dramatic contrast between the sandy desert, lush green vineyards and orchards, and the simmering blue waters of Osoyoos Lake!”

The DO online Image Gallery – at www.destinationosoyoos.com/gallery – contains 74 medium-sized images of the outstanding Osoyoos scenery which can be viewed in a handy slide-show format.  An online form allows DO stakeholders, and travel-trade and travel-media representatives to request high-resolution versions of these images for use in their travel promotion publications and activities.

 

LAST CHANCE TO NAME THE OSOYOOS BEACHCLEANER!

The Osoyoos beachcleaner.

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You only have a few days left to enter the Destination Osoyoos contest to name the Osoyoos beachcleaner.  It’s your chance to name the “green machine” and win a prize!

The community obtained the beachcleaner a couple of years ago as a result of an initiative by DO under the B.C. Resort Municipality Fund.  Since then, the beachcleaning machine has been used by the Town of Osoyoos to groom local beaches, keeping them clean and attractive for visitors and residents.

To enter the contest, please email your name, address and contact info plus your submitted name for the beachcleaner to:   visit@destinationosoyoos.com.   The contest is open to all ages, and the Selection Committee’s decision is final.  The winner will be announced on Sept. 15, 2011.  A prize will be awarded to the winner!  Good luck!

 

‘BEST OF FEST’ BRINGING GREAT SHORT FILMS TO NK'MIP RESORT

In just over two weeks, local residents along with visitors to the area will be able to see some of the best independent short films from around the world.

The directors of an international film festival held each year in Oroville, Washington – just across the border from Osoyoos – will bring a great selection of popular films to the NK'MIP Resort on Sept. 22-24 for a three-day film-and-wine event.  It will showcase first-class independent films as well as the amenities of the Osoyoos-based Resort.

Geoff Klein and Mo Fine, directors of the Tumbleweed Film Festival, say this will be the first time they will take their ‘Best of Fest’ show to a Canadian destination.  The films will be shown and wine events will be held in the NK'MIP Desert Cultural Centre, and accommodation packages are available at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort.

‘Best of Fest’ is also open to additional short and feature-length films entered by independent filmmakers – and Klein and Fine particularly want to encourage any local or area filmmakers and any First Nations filmmakers to enter.  The short films will be from France, Spain, England, Peru, Trinidad, Australia, China and Korea – and ‘Best of Fest’ will also show the Academy Award-nominated Irish film “The Crush”.  For more information, or to enter, see:  www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com/submit.html.

Jennifer Busmann, Guest Services Manager at NK'MIP Cellars, says the ‘Best of Fest’ itinerary will include First Nations welcoming ceremonies, drumming, storytelling, and a complimentary introductory NK'MIP Cellars wine-tasting.  She says officials at the NK'MIP Resort are excited about the upcoming event.  For more information, phone the winery at 250-495-2985.

 

COMING EVENTS IN OSOYOOS

• Osoyoos Mini-Theatre Presents: Theresa Sokyrka.  Sept. 7, 7:00 p.m.  Theresa was the 2004 Canadian Idol Runner-Up.  Special guest appearance by Kansas Hatherly.  Adults $25; students $20.  Tickets at JoJo’s Cafe or Imperial Office-Pro.  $5 from each ticket goes to the Osoyoos Desert Society.

• Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club Regatta.  Sept. 9-11.  The Regatta is the National ‘Seaspray’ Championship (catamaran) and is also open invitation to all other types of sailboats.  Sailors from Western Canada go head-to-head on Osoyoos Lake.  Registration at Lake Osoyoos Sailing Club.  For info see www.sailosoyoos.org or email sailosoyoos@live.ca.

• All-Breed Skaha Kennel Club Championship Dog Show.  Sept. 9-11, 2011 at Nk’Mip RV Park.  More than 350 dogs of all shapes and sizes will be on display, taking part in competitions and shows.  Expert judges will assess the dogs in three All-Breed Shows, four Licensed Obedience & Rally Trials, and the Peach of a Puppy Tournament (Saturday).  Also Pug Club of Canada Booster and Lowchen Club of Canada Booster.  Shows run 8 a.m.–3 p.m. daily.  For info call Bernice Newbury at 250-770-8654 or visit www.skahakennelclub.com.

• Osoyoos Coyotes Hockey – Exhibition Home Games at the Osoyoos Sun Bowl.  Sept. 9 vs the Princeton Posse, at 7:30 p.m.   Sept. 10 vs the Grand Forks Border Bruins, at 7:30 p.m.  For info see www.osoyooscoyotes.com.

• “For the Love of Art” show, Federation of Canadian Artists.  Sept. 10-Oct. 1 (Tues-Sat 12-4 p.m.), at the Osoyoos Art Gallery.

• Mass Registration For Fall Programs, Services, Clubs & Organizations.  Sept. 14 (5:30-8:00 p.m.) at the Sonora Community Centre.  Sponsored by the Town of Osoyoos Recreation & Leisure Services Department.  Local services, programs, clubs and organizations are showcased.  For info contact Sarah Dynneson, Program Co-ordinator, at 250-495-4623 or sdynneson@osoyoos.ca.

• Osoyoos Coyotes Hockey – Regular Season Home Games at the Osoyoos Sun Bowl.  Sept. 16 vs the Kelowna Chiefs, at 7:30 p.m.  Sept. 21 vs the Summerland Steam, at 7:00 p.m.  Sept. 23 vs the Princeton Posse, at 7:35 p.m.  For info see www.osoyooscoyotes.com.

• Wine Country Drag Racing. Sept. 18 at the Osoyoos Airport.  Time Trials at 10:00 a.m. and Drag Races at 1:00 p.m.  For info call 250-498-6443 or see www.winecountryracing.ca.

• Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum.  Sept. 18-20.  The Town of Osoyoos, the Okanagan Basin Water Board and the International Joint Commission present the 2nd Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum.  Theme is “Shared water, shared future: Bridges to sustainability for Osoyoos Lake”.   Featuring many speakers and sessions on water quality, water quantity, climate variation, fisheries, riparian regulations and watershed sustainability.  For info see www.obwb.ca/olwsf.

• Best of Fest. Sept. 22-24.   This three-day film-and-wine event brings a selection of the most popular films from the Washington State-based Tumbleweed Film Festival, to the NK’MIP Resort.  It showcases these first-class independent films and all the amenities of the Osoyoos-based Resort.  For info on the films, or to enter an independent film, see www.tumbleweedfilmfest.com/submit.html.  For tickets or information on the events, call 250-495-2985 or email info@nkmipcellars.com.

• Community Celebration at Gyro Park.  Sept. 25 at 5:00 p.m.  Free Barbecue, Nk’Mip Drummers, Kids Carnival, Water Entertainment and Starfield Concert.  No charge.  Everyone welcome.  For info call Dee at 250-495-7791.

• Okanagan Fall Wine Festival.  Sept. 30-Oct. 9.  This 10-day annual festival includes more than 165 events throughout the Okanagan Valley – including vineyard tours, many culinary feasts, seminars, etc.  For info see www.thewinefestivals.com or call 250-861-6654.

• ‘A Cup of Jo’.  Listen at 8:20 a.m. Wednesdays on EZ Rock Radio (1240 AM) for this update on Osoyoos events from DO Executive Director Jo Knight.

For details on all upcoming events in Osoyoos, see the Destination Osoyoos online events listing at:  www.destinationosoyoos.com/visit-osoyoos/events-calendar.