Shift from products to experiences
Jasper’s experiential travel training conference has a name: SHIFT.
The three-and-a-half day conference is a Travel Alberta pilot project, which will run from Feb. 10–13, teaching tourism operators how to create engaging and memorable experiences for their customers.
Jasper was selected as the location for the event because it already offers a number of experiential travel opportunities and because it proved its commitment to experiential travel by sending a delegation of eight representatives to Newfoundland’s Edge of the Wedge last year. Edge of the Wedge is a similar experiential travel conference to the one Travel Alberta is trying to create here.
“This is the first of several courses we’ll lead over the next couple of years with each course in a new community as we work toward building new goosebump moments across the province,” stated Shelley Grollmuss, Travel Alberta’s vice president of industry development, in a press release.
Participants in the pilot program will have their registration fees reimbursed once they develop a new experiential product that enhances Alberta’s offer.
Golfing for a cause
The annual Jasper Victim’s Services Golf Tournament kicks off bright and early tomorrow morning, Sept. 12.
The sold-out event is the organization’s largest fundraiser of the year, attracting golfers from around the province to the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge for a day of golfing and an evening of good food and auctions.
In previous years, the event has raised upwards of $17,000—a huge boost for the JVSU, which depends on fundraising to continue supporting victims of crime in Jasper.
Birds flock to Jasper
Husband-wife duo, JT Nero and Allison Russell, have created a musical collective that touts a unique brand of Americana, street corner doo-wop and classic soul, and on Sept. 15, they’ll be bringing it to Jasper.
Birds of Chicago will play at the Olive Bistro beginning at 8 p.m.
The band is touring in support of its 2014 release, Live From Space, a 17-track record recorded live in Evanston, IL.
Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
Blues Like These
Country blues man, Jack Marks will be rolling into the Whistle Stop Pub, Sept. 17.
The Toronto-based troubadour is touring with his latest effort, Blues Like These, a 12-track album released last year.
Travelling alongside him is alt-country duo, the Mayhemingways.
The show starts at 9 p.m. There is no cover.
