BC Tourism Resiliency Network
Client:
Tourism Vancouver Island (4VI) & BC Regional Tourism Secretariat
Sector:
Tourism, Business Recovery, Equity-Driven Support
Services Provided:
One-on-one business advising for tourism operators through the COVID-19 pandemic
Program development, delivery support and advisor team leadership
Operational program growth management and stakeholder relations
Intake design and data-informed advocacy
Development of educational and connectivity events for tourism operators.
Strategic storytelling and business impact documentation
What We Did:
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lauren was contracted by Tourism Vancouver Island to design and deliver a rapid-response program to support tourism operators through crisis recovery. This vision became the Vancouver Island Coastal Tourism Resiliency Program, offering one-on-one, personalized support to businesses navigating shutdowns, cancellations, funding access, and the unknown.
As the model proved successful, it scaled into a provincial program: the BC Tourism Resiliency Network. Lauren supported this expansion by:
Designing and refining program strategy and operator journey mapping
Developing tools, templates, and systems for advisor support
Recruiting and supporting a network of expert sector coaches
Coaching regional teams and advising on cross-regional coordination
Supporting implementation across multiple phases of the program
Why It Mattered:
At its core, the BCTRN was more than business recovery; it was about restoring resilience, trust, and cohesion to a shaken sector. With over 3,300 tourism operators reached and nearly 1,850 advisory sessions delivered, the network became a lifeline, especially for rural, Indigenous, women-owned, and LGBTQ2+ businesses navigating barriers unevenly amplified by the crisis.
Lauren's Role:
Program architect, manager, and stakeholder liaison, Lauren led the design and development of the original Vancouver Island program model, then supported its expansion province-wide. Their role included mapping the operator support journey, creating templates and workflows, advising businesses directly, and captured program data for storytelling and advocacy. Lauren’s work helped establish a human-centred foundation for the largest tourism recovery effort in BC history
Impact:
Over 500 businesses supported on Vancouver Island, with thousands more reached across the province through the BC Tourism Resiliency Network
Rapid uptake: 200+ businesses registered within the first month of program launch
3 years of continuous delivery, supporting operators with tailored recovery plans, business advising, and funding navigation
Collaborated with 20 program advisors and 15 subject matter experts, strengthening delivery across sectors and communities
Used impact data to advocate at all levels of government for improvements to pandemic-related business support programs
Winner of the 2022 BC Tourism & Hospitality Award for Community Contribution & Impact, recognizing the project’s meaningful role in stabilizing and strengthening the industry during crisis
Legacy of the work: proved the power of adaptable, one-on-one business support and co-created a blueprint for responsive, equity-informed tourism recovery in BC
Lessons & Insights:
When recovery is a marathon, one-on-one support is a game changer. Though data matters, compassion and connection build trust. And a responsive, human-led approach turned industry survival into sector-wide resilience.
“What stood out most about working with Lauren was her remarkable ability to manage a highly complex, multi-stakeholder initiative with precision and ease. As Project Manager for the BC Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative, she demonstrated exceptional organizational and reporting skills, keeping partners aligned while ensuring that all regional and provincial goals were met with clarity and accountability. Lauren’s leadership gave the project both structure and momentum, resulting in measurable success and strong sector engagement. I would enthusiastically recommend her to any tourism organization seeking a project manager who combines professionalism, strategic vision, and the ability to deliver outstanding results."
— Mike Overend, Director of Destination Development, Thompson-Okanagan Tourism Association
