Unpacking Richmond B.C.: Night Markets, Beer Buses & Canning Salmon To Danicing Queen 🇨🇦
Behind the Scenes at TMAC 2026 | 49
This week I’m coming to you live from Richmond, British Columbia, where the air is salty, but the people are graat! The mountains are almost always in your perefial vision, and when they are not the Pacific Ocean is. I’m here for the annual TMAC (Travel Media Association of Canada) conference, and it’s been a bunch of wild marketplace hustle, fun exploration of the city and one very special celebration.
For those who are new to this Substack, a big part of these conferences is the Marketplace. Imagine a speed-dating scenario, but instead of looking for love, I’m having 15-minute meetings with Tourism Board reps and DMOs from across the Country. Why? To build long lasting relationships and create the campaigns that allow me to bring the most unique, purposeful, and human-led stories directly to you here on Substack.
But before we dive into the city, I have some exciting news to share. This year’s conference was extra special because I walked away with First Place for the Host Destination Story at the TMAC Awards Gala! It’s an honour to be recognized for the stories we tell across the Rudderless Traval outlets, and it only motivates me to keep digging deeper into the soul of every place I visit. Then unpack them with you!
In this edition:
👉🏾 We’re diving into the soul of Richmond
👉🏾 My 5 Faves spots I visited during the conference
👉🏾 Amazing error flight deals
Richmond’s Fishy Story…🍤
Richmond is a vibrant suburb of Vancouver sitting right where the Fraser River meets the Pacific Ocean, bringing this unique blend of urban energy and coastal serenity. It’s a city of neighbourhoods, like the historic Steveston, a fishing village with Japanese roots dating back to the 1870s. By the early 1900s, thousands of Japanese Canadians were the backbone of the local economy, helping Richmond become the “Salmon Capital of the World.”
Today, that influence is preserved in its historic buildings. Places like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery. Once the leading producer of canned salmon in British Columbia, as well as the Steveston Interurban Tram and the Britannia Shipyards. Then there’s the modern, neon-lit downtown core, where you’ll find the absolute best Asian cuisine in North America, from world-class sushi to the legendary “Dumpling Trail” Richmond refuses to be just one thing, and admittedly, I love places like that
My 5 Faves
Richmond Night Market: I absolutely love this place! It’s the largest night market in North America and will make your senses go crazy…in a good way. As part of the conference, we went on a “dine-around” tour, and after our spectacular dinner, we ended up here, wandering through the stalls of grilled squid, “rotato” chips, and mango desserts. I’m almost sorry I already ate…more below.
Fuggles Beer: We took a tour of the brewery were they taught us about beer. Personally, I’ve done a million of these tours, but what I find interesting is the brewery’s story and what makes them special. Whether it’s their Mango Ale or the classic Pilsner, it’s all about the passion behind the pint. That said, this is my fourth confence tour on the beer bus and I can still hear my friends screaming “Beer bus! Beer bus! Beer bus!” at the top of their lungs, It’s an annual conference tradition!
Steveston Seafood House + Harbour Boardwalk: We had a preset menu here that was absolutely delicious. I had a tough choice between the lamb (my favourite meat) and the Lobster + Crab Ravioli. Since I was on the west coast, I went with the seafood—lobster claw, crab, tarragon, and fire-grilled tiger prawns in a rose cream. Damn it was incredibly fresh. For dessert? A New York Cheesecake with blueberry compote. Yeah thats how I lobster roll (ok I’ll stop)
Minoru Park & The Chapel: This is the green heart of Richmond. It’s a beautiful spot to escape the conference craziness. The Chapel at Minoru Park is a cute little gem featuring white-painted wood and stained glass known mainly as a wedding venue, which makes sence with it and the parks background.
V+ Club Karaoke: This was a wild night, friends. Usually, I’m an onlooker or a backup singer, but in these private rooms equipped with nightclub-grade sound systems and professional microphones, (and several beers) I finally jumped in. I co-sang ABBA’s Dancing Queen with two of my dearest travel content creator friends and finished the night with a deep (Barry-White) rendition of Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. I didn’t stop believing but still can’t sing.
👉🏾 Amazng Places To Stay In Richmond, BC
Unpacked Travel Insider
Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman (GCM) 🇰🇾
Best time to book: August - September & January - February
Deal Summary: Unwind on some of the best beaches in the Caribbean! We love this deal because it includes availability during peak season next winter. Nonstop flights are available from Miami, NYC, and Toronto.
Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. Upgrade to Main Cabin for a seat assignment and the ability to cancel for a voucher.
Thrifty Tip #1: Rent a car and visit the Cayman Crystal Caves! It’s just a quick ~30-minute drive from George Town.
Thrifty Tip #2: Book this deal for less than 19k Delta SkyMiles round-trip from several cities. Find the lowest Delta fares in Google Flights, then book on Delta.com.
U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Albany (ALB) - $320, Allentown (ABE) - $320, Austin (AUS) - $378, Baltimore (BWI) - $320, Boston (BOS) - $312, Buffalo (BUF) - $320, Burlington (BTV) - $320, Erie (ERI) - $320, Greensboro (GSO) - $378, Harrisburg (MDT) - $320, Hartford (BDL) - $320, Miami (MIA) - $286*, Nashville (BNA) - $382, New Orleans (MSY) - $370, New York (JFK) - $298*, New York (LGA) - $312, Newark (EWR) - $312, Norfolk (ORF) - $378, Philadelphia (PHL) - $320, Phoenix (PHX) - $360, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $312, Portland (PWM) - $320, Providence (PVD) - $320, Raleigh (RDU) - $378, Richmond (RIC) - $378, Rochester (ROC) - $320, San Diego (SAN) - $394, Syracuse (SYR) - $320, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $320, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $320, Westchester County (HPN) - $312. (*Nonstop)
Canadian Departure Cities:
Toronto (YYZ) - $397* (Nonstop)
How to Book:
👉🏾 Click here to open Google Flights.
Mexico, Cancún (CUN) 🇲🇽
Best time to book: May - June & January - February
Deal Summary: Up for a trip to Cancún? Catch a cheap flight using this sale! We love it because it includes peak season availability for less than $399. Nonstop flights are available from several major hubs.
Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. Upgrade to Main Cabin for seat assignment and the ability to change/cancel for a voucher.
Thrifty Tip: Cancún resorts not your vibe? Visit some of our favourite cities nearby like Playa del Carmen or Tulum.
U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Albany (ALB) - $355, Allentown (ABE) - $340, Baltimore (BWI) - $355, Boston (BOS) - $376*, Buffalo (BUF) - $355, Charleston (CHS) - $327, Charleston (CRW) - $355, Charlottesville (CHO) - $355, Chicago (MDW) - $382*, Chicago (ORD) - $382*, Dallas (DAL) - $375, Denver (DEN) - $329, Erie (ERI) - $355, Fort Lauderdale (FLL) - $322*, Harrisburg (MDT) - $355, Hartford (BDL) - $355, Houston (HOU) - $307, Houston (IAH) - $307, Jacksonville (JAX) - $319, Manchester-Boston (MHT) - $355, Miami (MIA) - $322*, New Orleans (MSY) - $319, New York (JFK) - $340*, Newark (EWR) - $340*, Norfolk (ORF) - $327, Oakland (OAK) - $367, Orlando (MCO) - $352*, Philadelphia (PHL) - $336, Pittsburgh (PIT) - $355, Portland (PWM) - $355, Providence (PVD) - $355, Reno (RNO) - $355, Richmond (RIC) - $327, Rochester (ROC) - $355, San Francisco (SFO) - $308, Scranton (AVP) - $340, Syracuse (SYR) - $355, Tampa (TPA) - $356*, Washington, D.C. (DCA) - $355, Washington, D.C. (IAD) - $344, Westchester County (HPN) - $355. (*Nonstop)
Canadian Departure Cities:
Toronto (YYZ) - $399* (Nonstop)
Vancouver (YVR) - $389
How to Book:
👉🏾 Click here to open Google Flights.
Florida, Fort Myers (RSW) ☀️
Best time to book: May - February
Deal Summary: Jump on a low fare to Fort Myers! We love this because it’s a great chance to book a cheap Florida trip for next winter. Includes some Thanksgiving weekend availability from MSP and deals work in reverse.
Fares are Basic Economy and include a carry-on. Upgrade to Main Cabin for seat assignment and the ability to change/cancel for a voucher.
Thrifty Tip: See the beautiful islands of Southwest Florida, like Marco Island, Sanibel Island, Gasparilla Island, and more!
U.S. Departure Cities (All fares round-trip):
Atlanta (ATL) - $229, Boston (BOS) - $196*, Buffalo (BUF) - $186*, Charleston (CHS) - $158, Cincinnati (CVG) - $218*, Detroit (DTW) - $238*, Hartford (BDL) - $196*, Manchester-Boston (MHT) - $230, Minneapolis (MSP) - $218*, New York (JFK) - $196*, New York (LGA) - $216*, Newark (EWR) - $216*, Portland (PWM) - $240, Raleigh (RDU) - $236, Richmond (RIC) - $236, Rochester (ROC) - $240, Seattle (SEA) - $216, Syracuse (SYR) - $220, Westchester County (HPN) - $236. (*Nonstop)
Canadian Departure Cities:
Toronto (YYZ) - $229
How to Book:
👉🏾 Click here to open Google Flights.
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We definitely have a few great destinations on deck based on conversations from this conference and last year’s and I can’t wait to unpack them with you! But the award is just the blueberry compote on the cheesecake.
P.S. If you’re heading to the Richmond Night Market, go early and bring cash—your stomach will thank you.
— Stay Rudderless
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