Fresh from the 2008 Olympic summer games, local business owner George Chang says the town was well represented at the British Columbia - Canada Pavilion in Beijing. "The second floor press room had a 10 by 15-ft. picture of the Squamish Adventure Centre on the back wall," said Chang. "It is good we can represent something there. We are there, doesn't matter if you like it or not, we are there in the pressroom. It was the only picture they had there."Chang took the opportunity while talking to Vancouver mayor Sam Sullivan to point out where the picture was taken. "Mr. Sullivan just finished a speech and when I arrived to shake his hand I said 'Mr. Sullivan do you know what the back wall is?' Of course he didn't know, he knew it was somewhere in B.C. but he did not know specifically, so I said, 'Well this is in Squamish,'" said Chang. "I gave him a Squamish pin, it was really nice. He was proud someone from Squamish was there representing the city."Situated at the Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall near Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, the B.C. Pavilion was set up between May and October to highlight industry sectors, lifestyle and culture of B.C., and to strengthen partnership between Asia and Canada the B.C. government explained in a press release. Chang joined the Whistler Forum's Leadership Sea to Sky Harmony Project for two weeks in September to visit Beijing and Shanghai in order to learn how to build sustainable communities through tourism. They took part in the Sea to Sky/Whistler delegation Sept. 8 and 9 at the B.C. Pavilion where they could network with Chinese officials and learn from China's powerful economy."We did have a booth with a small table that represented Pemberton and Whistler and Squamish," said Chang. "I was able to put out Squamish brochures and little goodies, pins from the Squamish Adventure Centre, packages from the Chamber of Commerce and packages from the District of Squamish."During the two-day delegation Chang listened to a speech made by James H. Spear, partner of China Bound Ltd., and learned how Squamish could become a sustainable tourist destination.Spear transformed a small, remote village, called Mutianyu, an hour and half from Beijing, but five minutes from The Great Wall of China, into a tourist destination. "He bought a small rundown schoolhouse and converted it into a nice restaurant and gallery and glass factory, and also a bed and breakfast.It is very unique and also they use the local infrastructure to build their projects, so it is very, very sustainable," said Chang.During their stay, the Sea to Sky representatives also visited a renovated factory called 798 that Chang said was likened to Granville Island. "It was a run-down factory that nobody kept a claim on, but they now rent the place for artists and for galleries. It became a Granville Island type of market for offices and galleries and studios and so it is quite unique," said Chang.Chang said by visiting Mutianyu and 798, he was able to bring back ideas of how Squamish can rejuvenate old buildings and create tourist destinations."We need to focus on how we spend our tourism market," said Chang. "I know some people might think tourism doesn't make dollar sense compared to logging and factory but I think at least it is something to start off with."Chang said tourism also attracts larger companies to the area and by focusing on our view and highway expansion, stores and industry will be more interested in moving to Squamish. When he found out that no one was representing Squamish for the Harmony Project he decided to pay his way himself and join the group. Because of his Chinese background and Mandarin language skills he became an asset to the group by translating dialogue. "I am receiving some funding for the trip now, but what I learned from the trip was worth the money," said Chang. He will be giving a private presentation to the Business Improvement Association showing slides of his trip and describing what he learned about sustainable tourism Tuesday, Nov. 18.
