Tgether with the Aboriginal Tourism Association of B.C. (AtBC) and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB), the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA) will co-host the 2012 Aboriginal Tourism Conference on March 28-30 at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort and the NK'MIP Conference Centre.

The conference – part of a national series of Aboriginal business opportunities events – will focus on best practices and examples of successful, authentic Aboriginal tourism products. The plenary sessions will showcase successful indigenous tourism businesses from around the world, as well as offering practical advice on how to succeed in the tourism industry. Space is limited to 300 delegates for this event, and the expected mix will be about 200 Aboriginal tourism businesses and communities, plus about 100 private-sector organizations.

Sessions will include addresses by OIB Chief Clarence Louie, AtBC CEO Keith Henry, and TOTA CEO Glenn Mandziuk – as well as panels of experts debating topics such as Who is the Canadian Aboriginal Tourism Visitor?, What Does it Take to Create a Successful Aboriginal Tourism Product?, and How Do I Finance my Tourism Project?.

In addition there will be an open-microphone knowledge-sharing session on Keeping Authenticity Within Your Aboriginal Tourism Product, showcasing of three successful Canadian Aboriginal Tourism products, a speech from Chief Louie on Creating Successful Tourism Partnerships, and a presentation on the Maori tourism success story in New Zealand.

Also, Keith Henry will present AtBC's Five-Year Plan for 2012-17, and Glenn Mandziuk will give an address on Developing a Regional Tourism Strategy.

The conference will feature luncheons, networking events, wine tours and walking tours, and the AtBC Awards Gala Dinner – complete with DJ music and dancing.