32 replies to this topic

[Matt R.]

Pags, one of the restaurants piggy backing on the event’s marketing by doing a “better than dine around” event in parallel, says the requirement to be part of the gala is a deal breaker. It never used to be required and I can see it being a deal breaker. It’s a LOT of extra work to pull an event like that off, certainly a couple of full days for a couple of people.

[Mike K.]

Who runs DA?

[Victoria Watcher]

Who runs DA?

 

BC Food and Restaurant Association, with help from Tourism Victoria.

[Victoria Watcher]

Pags, one of the restaurants piggy backing on the event’s marketing by doing a “better than dine around” event in parallel, says the requirement to be part of the gala is a deal breaker. It never used to be required and I can see it being a deal breaker. It’s a LOT of extra work to pull an event like that off, certainly a couple of full days for a couple of people.

 

Presumably the gala pays lots of the bills for the marketing?

[Mike K.]

Yes, but is there a local person or a company that organizes the ‘festival?’

[Victoria Watcher]

Yes, but is there a local person or a company that organizes the ‘festival?’

 

Misty Olsen.  Who also happens to be a Colwood councillor.

 

https://www.colwood....lor-misty-olsen

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 January 2026 - 08:29 PM.

[Mike K.]

Thanks!

Interesting, how the profile shows your move-in year. 2013 for Olsen, councillor by 2022.

[Matt R.]

It’s run by a committee of the board of the local branch of the BCRFA, or was when I was on the board.

I never did go to a gala, but these types of events are usually a great time for all parties involved.

[Matt R.]

Presumably the gala pays lots of the bills for the marketing?

Yeah it’s a huge deal for sure. Lots of ad money, lots of eyeballs. It’s a pretty big event for the local industry. I did participate for 8 years or so and it’s a huge driver of off season business.

I absolutely stopped chasing any of that off season stuff upon moving to this island.

[Mike K.]

What’s so crazy, is until this year, I don’t think I had ever heard of this gala.

[Victoria Watcher]

What’s so crazy, is until this year, I don’t think I had ever heard of this gala.

 

It didn't always have the kick-off gala.

[Matt R.]

It has been many years, unless they skipped some during Covid.

[Matt R.]

I joined that board in 2011, I think the gala was a thing even then, and it was a challenge to get folks out for the launch as vendors because of the extra work load. I should refer to my notes.