Tourism Prince George sold more than $45,000 in merchandise at its gift shop in 2024, while the Prince George Public Library saw a five-year high in newly registered patrons, city council heard at its meeting Monday.
Representatives from both organizations presented their annual reports to council, outlining highlights from their 2024 operations.
Speaking for Tourism PG were CEO Colin Carson — who announced earlier in the day he would step down from his role on Aug. 1 — and board chair Jamie Valcourt. In the audience was Carmen Herman, who will serve as interim CEO following Carson’s departure.
Carson said the organization’s current strategic plan is nearing its end and will expire in 2027.
Among the highlights he listed for 2024 were partnerships with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, including work on the Ancient Forest interpretive centre, creation of virtual accessibility tours in collaboration with Spinal Cord Injury BC, new mountain bike trails, and a pilot project aimed at attracting visitors to area farms.
Tourism PG supported 37 events in 2024, including four new ones and secured bids for two major events. One of the new events was the Lheidli Basketball Tournament held in November, which drew competitors from as far away as the Northwest Territories.
Carson said much of the organization’s content creation involved collaborations with influencers brought into the city. Four key marketing campaigns were launched in support of local activities: mountain biking, fat biking, winter activities and summer activities.
Although the organization did not operate a permanent visitor centre for most of the year, its shipping container-style location at Canada Games Plaza welcomed 7,900 visitors and distributed more than 13,000 maps and guides. The gift shop generated more than $46,000 in sales, and mobile services were sent to 28 events throughout the city.
Revenue from the city's accommodation tax totalled approximately $1.81 million in 2024 — the second-highest figure since 2020.
Following the presentation, Mayor Simon Yu said it “sucked” to see Carson go after his accomplishments with the organization, and wished him well in his next role.
When asked about trade tensions between Canada and the United States, Carson said American tourists are still visiting and Tourism PG is working on creative strategies to keep them coming.
Carson also addressed a partnership with the College of New Caledonia, noting the post-diploma program in tourism and hotel management has not drawn enough students for its last three intakes and will be discontinued after the current cohort graduates.
Representing the Prince George Public Library were board chair Anna Duff and library director Paul Burry.
They began by unveiling the library’s new branding, created by local firm Splash Media. The logo features an open book with a burst of colours emerging from one page, paired with a purple sans-serif font.
The library registered 3,865 new members in 2024 — its highest total since 2020, when 1,681 patrons signed up.
Duff highlighted the Winter Blues promotional campaign, which emphasized the elimination of late fees and the library’s many free programs as ways to combat seasonal depression.
Burry said the library celebrated Freedom to Read Week in February, drawing attention to rising threats to intellectual freedom in Canadian libraries. In 2023, there was a 115 per cent increase in book challenges nationwide, and a 40 per cent increase at the PGPL.
The library hosted 1,443 programs and events in 2024, drawing 43,540 participants — both five-year highs. Events included Lunar New Year celebrations, a puzzle challenge and swap, a Fungi in Mythology and Folklore talk at the Nechako branch, the Friends of the Library spring book sale, and the World of Curiosity Summer Reading Program.
There were 143,945 digital items borrowed in 2024, another five-year high.
Students in Grades 3 through 12 were able to access free English, math and science tutoring through the Homework Help program. There were 20 sessions, with as many as 60 students attending, and 120 total participants registered.
Of those surveyed, 96 per cent said they could not otherwise afford tutoring or had to stop due to cost. Another 85 per cent reported academic improvement after joining the program.
To improve health and safety at the library, Duff said staff received Naloxone training, underwent a risk assessment survey, and received emergency and business continuity training. Additional security cameras were installed and cybersecurity training was implemented, along with an updated code of conduct.
Duff said the library’s new slogan is a single word: Welcome!
Following the presentation, Burry was asked about educational partnerships with local post-secondary institutions. He noted that during a recent non-instructional day, UNBC students delivered a presentation at the library on creating art using science.
Burry also said the installation of the TPG visitor centre and the Nanguz’an container market at Canada Games Plaza has made the area busier. While some concerns remain, he said the increased activity and partnership with Tourism PG have been mutually beneficial.
