National Volunteer Week – Tourism Vancouver’s Volunteer Spotlight

Written by Justine LeRose

Volunteering, or “giving of yourself” as she calls it, has always been a part of Ivy Blacquiere’s life. Growing up as one of 10 children in a small, community-oriented town in Newfoundland, she learned early on from her grandmother that she was given two hands for a reason: one for herself and one for others. Throughout her childhood, following the lead of her grandmother and mother, Ivy and her siblings volunteered to assist those less fortunate or less able within their town.

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National Volunteer Week – Tourism Vancouver’s Volunteer Spotlight

Jacqueline Dupuis’ Vancouver Favourites

During her six years as executive director of Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF), Jacqueline Dupuis has played a major role in transforming the event into an internationally recognized celebration of screen-based storytelling. Under her guidance, VIFF has expanded its traditional film and industry programming to a “film-plus” model that seamlessly combines curated screenings with compelling panels and citywide events.

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Jacqueline Dupuis’ Vancouver Favourites

Vancouverite Spotlight: Taylor Burk, Adventure Photographer

From New Zealand and Australia to the Dominican Republic and Vietnam, freelance adventure photographer, Taylor Burk has travelled all over the world. In 2013, Burk began documenting his travels on Instagram where he quickly gained a following. With over 370,000 followers and a stunning portfolio to boot, Burk is one of Canada’s top travel Instagrammers. When he’s not traversing the globe, Burk keeps busy exploring his new hometown. Read on for details about Burk’s dream-worthy career and his Vancouver must-do’s.

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Vancouverite Spotlight: Taylor Burk, Adventure Photographer

A Newcomer’s Observations Vol 5: Local Pride

Photo: Vancouver Sun

Photo: Vancouver Sun

Hello Vancouver! I’m Britanny. As you may or may not know, I’m new to this city! Here’s a bit of my perspective on the city I’ve come to know and love:

You know when you arrive in a new city and you feel like a total alien? You’re constantly lost, a new public transit system could not be more daunting, you don’t know the “places” yet (your closest coffee shop, grocery store, gym, wine store, you know, the basics), and everything just feels a bit strange. This is my third metropolitan city since 2014 and I was fully prepared to embrace full alien mode. Here’s the thing, I woke up every morning, walked new streets, sipped new coffee in new coffee shops, wandered the aisles of a new grocery store, and went about my day-to-day life feeling entirely at ease and all with an unexpected feeling of belonging. Because it was a wonderful feeling I was experiencing, I really didn’t put much thought into it, until I came to a second realization: Vancouverites are more prideful of their city than I’ve ever experienced elsewhere, and as a result (I believe) they are astonishingly welcoming and excited to share their home’s wonder. Continue reading:
A Newcomer’s Observations Vol 5: Local Pride

Rick Antonson, Former CEO of Tourism Vancouver Launches New Book

Rick Antonson

Rick and Mark Andrew, former Chair of the Tourism Vancouver board.

Full Moon Over Noah’s Ark
An Odyssey to Mount Ararat and Beyond

Author and former Tourism Vancouver CEO Rick Antonson joined a five-member expedition to the mountain’s nearly 17,000-foot summit, trekking alongside a contingent of Armenians, for whom Mount Ararat is the stolen symbol of their country. Antonson mixes vivid historical anecdote with unexpected travel vignettes, whether tracing earlier mountaineering at-tempts on the peak, recounting the genocide of Armenians and its unresolved de-bate, or depicting the Kurds’ nationalist ambitions for their own borders, which some say should include Mount Ararat.

More info

www.rickantonson.com