There are several ways you can become involved with the British Columbia Guest Ranchers’ Association:

Full Membership – Available to operating Guest Ranches that meet the BCGRA criteria.  See Requirements for Full Membership.

New Membership – Full Members in their first year of membership.

Associate Membership – Available to individuals or organizations not entitled to Full Membership status.  Examples are:  ranches not yet operational and planning to join as full members, other tourism based operators wishing to support the BCGRA and their efforts to bring guest ranching in BC to the world.  Includes non-marketing services and benefits as available to Full Members, email notification of events and information and invitation to Annual General Meeting and Convention.  Annual Fee - $150.

Allied Membership - Available to individuals and organizations that conduct, or aspire to conduct business with the Association and/or its members.  Includes link on BCGRA website, member contact list and invitation to Annual General Meeting and Convention.  Annual Fee - $150.

Affiliate Membership – Available to related organizations and/or members of related organizations.  Examples are:  Regional Tourism Associations, Activity Based Associations.  Includes logo and link on BCGRA site and invitation to Annual General Meeting and Convention.  Annual Fee - $50.

Honorary Membership - Granted to an individual and/or business recognized as having made a significant contribution to furthering the objectives of the Association.  Members may submit nominations for such membership prior to the Annual General Meeting and approval will be given by way of a simple majority vote of the membership present at the meeting.  Includes email notification of events and information and invitation to Annual General Meeting and Convention.

Being a member of the British Columbia Guest Ranchers’ Association means:

Connecting with an elite group of tourism operators who operate with a high level of professionalism and adhere to strict standards as set out in the requirements of membership.

Enquiries can be made to info@bcguestranches.com.   Please provide all contact information including website plus the category of membership you seek.  The appropriate package will be sent out for your review and completion.

 

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

It is the mandate of the Association to…

Ø     Promote guest ranching within British Columbia to the world.

Ø     Partner as a group and with other tourism organizations to enhance marketing power.

Ø     Serve as a liaison and link for our members with other tourism associations in British Columbia.

Ø     Share knowledge, pool talents and resources of our members.

Ø     Sanction professionalism with the industry as an elite group, comprised of the best guest ranching establishments in the province.

Ø     Establish and maintain high standards of quality for British Columbia’s Guest Ranch Industry. 

 

WHY JOIN?

Full Membership offers valuable monetary and non-monetary benefits some of which are outlined below:

Marketing Co-Operative – Each year the BC Guest Ranchers’ receive generous funding from Tourism British Columbia representing 50% of their marketing budget.  This leveraged funding along with members’ dues provides an investment of $50,000 toward the promotion of our members’ ranches.  Our initiatives encompass a variety of marketing methods including:

BC Guest Ranches Guide – A full size four page brochure highlighting our members is distributed predominantly through the Tourism BC network to all BC Visitor Information Centres and various International locations.

Internet Marketing – Each full member’s profile is included on the BCGRA website with direct links to their individual site.  Affiliate members are entitled to logo and link.  We maintain a strong web presence with innovative web marketing tools which equates to increased traffic to members’ sites.

Print Advertising – We connect with our key markets through various publications including the TBC Vacation Planner, Outdoor and Adventure Guide, BC Magazine, Cowboys and Indians and Pferde Heute among others.

BCGRA office – We have a dedicated Director of Marketing responsible for the coordination of all marketing and administration functions. 

Standards – Prospective guests take comfort in the knowledge that member ranches have met the high standards of quality required by the Association.  

Annual General Meeting and Convention – Available to all memberships.  A great opportunity to meet and network with guest ranch operators, tourism industry representatives and the businesses who contribute to their success.

Discounts and special offers available to members on the following services and products:

o      IdeaLever Solutions – 20%off domain name registrations, websites and site hosting.

o      Hub Barton Insurance Brokers – liability and property insurance at preferred rates.

o      Cowboy Coffee – wholesale pricing on high quality coffee

o      Through Norm Dove of Echo Valley – reduced rates on design and printing for brochures, racking cards, business cards, etc.

o      Chris Harris – wholesale pricing on all Chris Harris products.

We can also connect you with services that are available to members at no cost:

FARSHA – Farm and Ranch Safety and Health Association can work with you to design a Safety Program that is unique to your operation and will satisfy requirements of WCB and Insurance Companies.

go2 – Offers valuable information on recruiting, motivating and retaining employees in our industry.  No one knows more about Human Resources in Tourism. 

WTA – Wilderness Tourism Association ensures the viability of this industry by protecting the province’s resources through advocacy, education and involvement with government.

COTA – Council of Tourism Associations is the main policy maker for the tourism industry in British Columbia and through the BCGRA your voice is heard.

TBC – Tourism British Columbia has maintained a long and healthy relationship with the BCGRA and supports us with both funding and knowledge.

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR FULL MEMBERSHIP

 1)     A BCGRA member shall exemplify the western ranch ideal of personal, homelike hospitality and atmosphere.

 2)     A BCGRA member must be horse oriented.

1. Horses must be available to accommodate wranglers and all guests who choose to ride.

2. Riding instruction must be available.

3. Horses must be matched to suit riders’ weight and level of experience.

4. Stock must be well cared for and equipment kept in good repair.

5. A guest ranch must operate in the safest way possible, and must have adequate liability insurance.

6. Available acreage at the ranch and/or adjoining the program that meets the Association reqranch must be of adequate size to accommodate a horse uirements.

 3)     A BCGRA member’s facility must be adequate to accommodate guests in a comfortable manner.    

1.              Accommodations must be clean and in good repair

2.              Member must be ‘Tourism BC Approved Accommodation”. 

 4)     A BCGRA member shall operate primarily on an all-inclusive basis.   

1.               A guest ranch shall promote a total package inclusive of food, accommodation, horseback riding and all other ranch activities.

2.               All meals, snacks and beverages to be made available at the ranch or on the trail.

 5)     A BCGRA member should encourage guests to stay a minimum of three nights.

  6)     A BCGRA member’s promotional material must represent the facility’s current ownership, management and packages offered.  Any changes must be reported within thirty (30) days.

  7)     A BCGRA member shall be required to operate for a season before accepted for full membership and shall be designated “new member” in the directory during its probationary year.