The Festivals, Events and Animation (FE&A) program is a major annual initiative designed to attract visitors to Whistler and to enhance the visitor experience through the development and production of a wide range of festivals, events and entertainment for an equally wide range of target groups.
An ongoing strategic planning process is in place — involving many resort partners — to review research, identify opportunities and make decisions on the best way to invest FE&A funds on behalf of the resort community.
The RMOW also works with event producers who are interested in putting on an event in Whistler.
How is the program funded?
Funding for the FE&A Program is provided by the Province of British Columbia’s Municipal and Regional District Tax.
MRDT – also known as Hotel Tax – applies to short-term tourist accommodation, including hotel rooms. This hotel tax is in addition to the eight per cent Provincial Sales Tax (PST).
In Whistler, MRDT revenues are received by the RMOW and shared with Tourism Whistler based on a number of agreements. Revenues are reinvested by both organizations on behalf of the community. Expenditures are approved by, and reported back to, the Province to ensure ongoing alignment with the prescribed purposes of the tax as outlined in the Provincial Sales Tax Act.
MRDT (along with the Resort Municipality Initiative) has been critical for Whistler to supplement property tax revenues and ensure a revenue stream directly from, and reinvested back into, the tourism economy.
Programming components
The FE&A program encompasses three main components.
- Original programming. Examples include New Year’s Eve celebrations, the Whistler Summer Concert Series, and more.
- Animation programming. Examples include Explore & Experience Whistler, the Snow Zone, and more.
- Attract, Retain and Augment (ARA) programming for third-party events.
2024 ARA programming investments
The following ARA programming investments will be made in 2024:
- Whistler Pride & Ski Festival (January): $42,000
- World Ski & Snowboard Festival (April): $170,000
- Whistler Cup (April): $22,000
- Whistler Children’s Festival (May): $25,000
- Nourish Wellness Series by Cornucopia (June): $25,000
- XFondo Whistler (June): $5,000
- Whistler Half Marathon (June): $27,000
- The Back 40 (June): $5,000
- Crankworx Whistler (July): $145,000
- Flag Stop Theatre & Arts Festival (August): $8,500
- RBC GranFondo Whistler (September): $30,000
- Whistler Village Beer Festival (September): $30,000
- Xterra Whistler (September): $5,000
- Whistler Writers Festival (October): $14,500
- Whistler 50 Relay & Ultra (October): $12,000
- Cornucopia Whistler (November): $100,000
- Whistler Film Festival (December): $45,000
- Audain Art Museum: Tom Thomson Exhibit: $30,000
- SLCC Salish Carving Series – Sister Poles: $100,000
Note: All ARA investments are ‘up to’ amounts and are subject to conditions and obligations identified in a formal Agreement with each recipient organization.
How are decisions made?
The FE&A Program is ultimately overseen by Whistler Council with input and oversight by several committees of council including the FE&A Oversight Committee.
