Who We Are

A woman with curly hair wearing a purple hat and a black T-shirt with a rainbow and mountain logo, smiling and talking to another woman. She has a rainbow pride lanyard and button, and is holding a food item in a yellow cup wrapped in plastic.

Bow Valley Pride Network (BVPN) is a collaborative initiative advancing 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion across Banff, Lake Louise, and Canmore. We work alongside local businesses, community organizations, and municipal partners to help make the Bow Valley a place where residents and visitors can feel welcome, safe, and respected every day of the year.

What We Do

BVPN supports workplaces and public-facing spaces to strengthen inclusion through practical tools and community-led learning. Our work includes:

  • Training and workshops that build confidence and skills for inclusive service and workplaces

  • Resources and standards that help organizations take clear, measurable steps toward better inclusion

  • Community partnerships that connect local leaders and amplify what’s working

  • Entrepreneur and capacity-building supports that help grow a stronger, more inclusive local economy

Who We Work With

The Bow Valley Pride Network works primarily with tourism-based businesses and organizations in Banff, Canmore, and the broader Bow Valley region. If your business involves guests, front-line staff, or seasonal employees, this work is relevant to you.

  • Hotels, lodges, and short-term rental operators

  • Restaurants, cafes, and food service businesses

  • Adventure tourism and outdoor recreation operators

  • Retail shops in tourism-heavy corridors

  • Event organizers and festival operators

  • Municipal and Parks staff who interface with the public

  • Non-profits and community organizations serving the Bow Valley

How We Work

BVPN is built on collaboration. We convene partners, share knowledge, and create accessible pathways for organizations to move from “we care” to “we’re doing.” We listen first, then co-design solutions that reflect the realities of living and working in a mountain community shaped by tourism, seasonal work, and rapid change.

Why It Matters

Inclusion isn’t a marketing line, it’s a daily practice. When local spaces are truly welcoming, it strengthens community wellbeing, supports staff and customers, and helps the Bow Valley reflect the diversity of the people who call it home and travel here from around the world.