Rumours of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated.
Story and photo by Deborah Greaves
“Rumours of my retirement have been greatly exaggerated,” says long-time business communicator John Thomson.
Thomson loves his work, and his print-media documentation of the comings, goings and achievements of Okanagan business and industry is just a portion of what he does. He’s known throughout the Okanagan Valley for his ongoing and consistent quest to promote the region as a great place to live and do business.
John Thomson’s career as a business writer began here in this publication, on the pages of Okanagan Business magazine. He arrived in Kelowna in 1989, not as a journalist, but as a public relations representative for B.C. Tree Fruits and Sun-Rype. Though he’d been in public relations and advertising for years, he’d long wanted to write. He started with Paul Byrne in the early days of the magazine as a business columnist, then as editor of Okanagan Business.
Later, Thomson began writing “The Thomson Report” for the Kelowna Daily Courier, commencing a lengthy and positive relationship with the Okanagan business community that became part of the fabric of the Valley. Included in the tantalizing weekly dialogue was a column segment called “Rumours and Things.”
“Ironically, I built up trust with those rumours,” Thomson says. “In reality, those rumours were hints of activities or events to come that were just a step away from official announcement. People could trust me to wait until the right time to let the community know.”
A young-at-heart 70, Thomson has plenty of energy and is anticipating new projects.
He manages the John Thomson Group, the Media Marketing Club, and John Thomson Presents, which started in 1995 and organizes eight events a year with high-profile guest speakers. The Media Marketing Club, now 229 strong, hosts regular working luncheons with guests from the fields of marketing, and P.R., and costs just $35 per year to join. Another enterprise is an Executive Round Table, a once-a-month breakfast group of 16 execs who enjoy in-depth discussions with specially invited guests.
“I’ve always worked at taking the positive approach,” Thomson says. “I’ve found the positives even in the negative issues and situations. There are plenty of ups and downs in business as in life, and you have to be prepared always for that challenge. There is nothing in this world of ours today that will not change.”
Thomson thoroughly enjoys mentoring and looks forward to adding more business-related projects to his slate. Not only are the rumours of his retirement exaggerated, he says, but the R-word is not in his vocabulary.
“I plan to keep right on going,” John Thomson says. “Why stop working when you enjoy yourself as much as I do?”
Deborah Greaves is our Westside contributing editor.
Read more of the original stories celebrated in our 30th-anniversary issue.
Cascades Casino Penticton to celebrate grand opening and 150 new jobs
Gateway Casinos & Entertainment today announced that Cascades Casino Penticton will open its doors on April 5. The first 300 people through the doors at 5 pm on April 5 will get a lucky envelope that could contain up to $50 in Free Play/Match Play! With 45,000...
Indigenous garden takes root at Kelowna campus
Okanagan College’s Kelowna campus will soon be home to a unique greenspace containing more than 50 local Okanagan plants that are of cultural significance to Syilx people.
Sip & Savour Okanagan – A Festival Benefiting the Central Okanagan Food Bank
Set your calendars for April 22 for an evening of paired tastings from some of the Okanagans best caterers, wineries, breweries, distilleries and cideries. Enjoy music from local musicians and other local performers. Over 10 Caterers and other local artisans are...
Lake Country Art Gallery: Call for artists
Another Conversation Lake Country Art Gallery Members’ Exhibition with Guest Curator Lee Claremont Exhibition Dates: April 7 to May 20 Opening Reception: Thursday, April 6 6-8pm Curator Feedback and Discussion: Sunday, April 9 1-3pm Another Conversation is an...
Snowbombing: Europe’s premiere festival on snow selects Sun Peaks
4 DAYS. 4 NIGHTS. 4000+ ACRES OF SNOW. OVER 50 WORLD CLASS SUPERSTARS. MILLIONS OF MEMORIES... Set amongst the majestic mountains of Sun Peaks, expect four days and four nights of unparalleled partying across one superb ski resort in the heart of British...
Grandfather of BC Wine recognized for contributions to Canada’s wine industry
Okanagan Valley wine pioneer Harry McWatters was honoured with the Spirited Industry Professional (SIP) Award at the Vancouver International Wine Festival last week. McWatters is CEO and president of ENCORE Vineyards. The 50-vintage wine industry veteran McWatters has...