Ontario's Southwest Regional Tourism Organization

📣 WEBINAR 📣 Attention Black Entrepreneurs & Organizations! JOIN US on Wednesday, Nov. 13th for an Info Session to learn more about the Black Tourism "Spark" Program. The program aims to spark and support new Black-led tourism ideas and businesses in Ontario’s Southwest and Hamilton Halton Brant regions. Selected applicants will receive: ✅ $3,000 in seed funding ✅ $2,000 in tech adoption support ✅ Tourism mentorship REGISTER at: https://lnkd.in/gEKxrCJh

We interviewed Alayna Simpson, Engagement & Operations Coordinator at Ontario’s Southwest (OSW), to get the inside scope on the OSW Innovation Awards which open for nomination on Wednesday, November 13th and close on January 17th! The OSW Innovation Awards is a platform dedicated to recognizing and celebrating outstanding individuals and businesses that have set the standard for excellence in the Southern Ontario tourism industry. Start thinking about who you’ll nominate in the three award categories: 🌟 Luminary of the Year 🌟 Innovator of the Year 🌟 Sustainability Trailblazer of the Year Click the following link for more information on these awards and to make your nominations when they open: https://lnkd.in/gBU-Wv_H

🚨 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference: Tickets Now Open! 🚨 We’re excited to announce that registration is LIVE for the Southern Ontario Tourism Conference, taking place in Brantford from March 3-5, 2025! 🌟 The first 100 tickets are available at a special rate of $199—offering $50 in savings! Head to the following link to snag your spot before prices go up! https://lnkd.in/gjNheQR7 Join us at the Affinity Conference Centre with fellow tourism pros, students, and industry leaders from across Ontario for three days of networking, insights, and inspiration. Expect visionary keynote speakers like Melina Palmer of The Brainy Business and Michelle Holliday, author of The Age of Thrivability, plus informative breakout sessions and hands-on learning tours.

Team OSW has access to a variety of research resources to support organizations in making decisions. One-pagers with key insights are now available for each Destination Management Organization tourism area and all of Ontario's Southwest. Visit our website to access the one-pagers: https://lnkd.in/eWnNjMA4

We have another monthly round-up of updates for those working in the southwestern Ontario tourism industry!   Black Tourism “Spark” Program In case you missed it, Black entrepreneurs, Black-owned small businesses, or Black-led non-profit organizations in Ontario’s Southwest that have creative ideas to generate tourism in the region can apply for the Black Tourism “Spark” Program. Selected applicants will receive mentorship and funding to help bring their ideas to life. See the following link to learn more: https://lnkd.in/grhii4m6 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference (SOTC) Mark your calendars because conference registration will open on Monday, November 4th and the first 100 registrants will receive the rate of $199! (That’s $50 in savings!) Stay tuned to our industry communications channels as we will be sharing the link to buy tickets as soon as they are live.   Team Updates We are so excited to share that Alayna Simpson's role is changing to Engagement & Operations Coordinator and Emma Rowley’s role is changing to Tourism Development Manager.

🛎️ Calling all tourism operators and organizations that open their doors to visitors in Ontario's Southwest (OSW)! Got 5 minutes? Participate in the 2024 OSW Tourism Fall Survey and help shape the future of tourism in our region. This is your chance to share key insights about trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping your business this year. ✨ Why Take the Survey? • Confidential & Anonymous: Honest input, no strings attached. • Win Big: Enter for a chance to win a 1/4-page ad in the Globe and Mail – prime exposure for your business! 📰 🎯 • Shared Insights: Get access to a summary of industry-wide results and see what’s on the horizon for tourism in our region. 🚀 🔗 Click the following link to participate: https://lnkd.in/ek92RXCE

🏈Exciting night on the field at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) Summit event at Tim Hortons stadium in #Hamilton! 🏈 #BlackTourism Working Group members Dionne Bishop, Francoise Yesaya-Keddy and Peter Odle officially announced the Black Tourism “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program! The initiative aims to spark and support new Black-led tourism ideas and businesses in Ontario’s Southwest and Hamilton Halton Brant regions. Selected applicants will receive $3,000 in seed funding, $2,000 in tech adoption support and mentorship to help bring their tourism ideas to life. JOIN US on October 30th for a VIRTUAL launch and info session: https://lnkd.in/gKyHVq64 For more info visit https://lnkd.in/gWshmGmJ. Apply by November 27th! Collaborative Partners: Ontario's Southwest Regional Tourism Organization Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association Empowerment Squared (Southwestern Ontario Black Entrepreneurship Network) WEtech Alliance Hackforge

The deadline has been extended and you can still have a say on Ontario's tourism strategy! Click the following link to take TIAO's survey: https://lnkd.in/gh-EFicm

🚨New Survey Alert🚨 Ontario’s last Tourism Strategy was developed in 2016, and it’s time for an update! This time, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is proud to be leading the charge - creating of a new, industry-led and market-driven strategy to drive growth in our sector. We're calling on business operators, regional organizations like RTOs and DMOs, sector organizations, suppliers, investors, governments, and educational institutions to participate in this important process. Your voice is crucial to ensure that Ontario’s tourism industry not only recovers but that it thrives and aggressively competes in the global market. By completing our survey before October 16th, you’ll not only have a direct impact on Ontario's tourism future, but you’ll also be entered into a draw to win 1 of 5 passes to either the 2024 Ontario Tourism Summit or the 2025 IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism - Ontario: A Regional Event. 👉 Take the survey today and make sure your voice helps shape a successful and resilient future for Ontario’s tourism industry! 

Discover Dundas is a unique opportunity for hospitality workers in Oxford County to explore downtown Woodstock. Gain valuable insights about local restaurants and retailers, and deepen your knowledge of what makes this area special for visitors. Register for the free event here: https://lnkd.in/gKdmDxhy