We’re thrilled to host the inaugural meeting of Ontario's Southwest Tourism Collective (OSWTC)! Mark your calendar and join us for an enlightening session featuring a keynote from Steven Hellmann, founder of Little Birdie Media, The Foodies Group, and The Farm Trail, and program coordinator for OSWTC.

Friday November 29th from 10am-12pm at the Elm Hurst Inn & Spa, Ingersoll ON.

Keynote: "The Power of Partnerships" by Steven Hellmann.
Interactive Exercises: Practical activities to help you build valuable partnerships.
Essential Takeaways: Insights and strategies you won't want to miss.

***Don’t let FOMO get the best of you—be there to network, learn, and grow with us!

Please register by Friday November 22nd at 4pm. For any additional questions, please email alayna@swotc.ca

We're looking forward to seeing you there! 

The third session in our webinar series with Festivals and Events Ontario will feature Jeff Hardy, from JEFFHARDY.PRO, a Canadian brand marketing consultancy/agency. The session will discuss using technology for event marketing.

1. Cashless Payment Systems: Delve into the advantages of cashless payment systems such as RFID wristbands or mobile payment apps, exploring how they streamline transactions, enhance attendee experience, and improve event security.

2. Digital Marketing Strategies: Discuss effective digital marketing strategies for promoting events and festivals, leveraging social media, email marketing. 

3. Engagement is Key: Utilize technology to enhance attendee engagement and interaction throughout the event lifecycle. From pre-event marketing campaigns to on-site experiences and post-event follow-up, leverage digital tools and platforms to create meaningful connections and foster community engagement. 

4. Security and Privacy Considerations: Prioritize the security and privacy of attendee data and digital assets. Implement robust cybersecurity measures, comply with data protection regulations, and communicate transparently with attendees about data collection and usage to build trust and confidence in your event. 

Join us for our second Festivals & Events Webinar! In partnership with Festivals & Events Ontario, Ontario’s Southwest (OSW) is thrilled to host a free online event on October 17th from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Hear from the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming Regional Development Advisors (Tourism) Darren Winger and Sweety Goswami, as they discuss funding requirements, the power of data to bolster applications, impact assessments, diversifying funding resources and optimizing your budget.

Key Takeaways

1. Understanding Funding Criteria: Gain insights into the specific criteria and requirements that funders look for in event funding applications, enabling tailored proposals.

2. Data Collection Strategies: Learn effective methods to gather relevant information that strengthens funding applications, including attendee demographics, economic impact data, and audience feedback. Understanding the TREIM model.

3. Impact Assessment: Discover how to measure and demonstrate the impact of events using data, quantifying economic benefits, social outcomes, and community engagement metrics to showcase funding value.

4. Where to Find Funding Resources: Share resources and platforms for diversifying your search for funding resources and utilizing comprehensive grant databases and online platforms.

5. Budget Optimization: Explore strategies for optimizing event budgets based on data insights, identifying cost savings, revenue opportunities, and investment priorities to maximize funding impact.

About the Speakers

Darren Winger is a Regional Development Advisor (Tourism) for the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming. Darren is based out of Windsor and his territory consists of Windsor, Essex County & Pelee Island; Chatham-Kent; Sarnia-Lambton; Haldimand County and RTO1.

Darren has over 35 years experience in Festivals and Special Events industry, including engagement with events such as KW Oktoberfest, the Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, the Windsor International Dragon Boat Festival and the Canada South Festival Network. Darren is a past Board Member of Festivals and Events Ontario and currently sits on the FEO Awards Committee.

Sweety Goswami is a Regional Development Advisor (Tourism) for the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming. Sweety is based out of London and her territory consists of Hamilton, Halton Region, London, Stratford, Counties of Brant, Elgin, Huron, Middlesex Norfolk, Oxford & Perth, RTO3.

Sweety is new to the position with over 6 months of experience. Sweety has been in the OPS for 14 years and has held various positions in Toronto and London.

Join us to celebrate World Tourism Day, an annual event celebrated on September 27th. Established by UN Tourism, the day aims to raise awareness about the role of tourism around the world. 

Ontario's Southwest (OSW) is hosting a free in-person event on September 27th from 11:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. at Retro Suites Hotel. This is an opportunity to connect with individuals from tourism businesses and organizations in southwestern Ontario. The event will include lunch, networking, and a keynote presentation. 

Event Schedule
11:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. - Arrival & Networking
12:00 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. - Lunch 
12:45 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. - Welcome Messages & Presentation by OSW
1:15 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. - Keynote Presentation
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Networking

For any inquiries, please feel free to email Emma Rowley (emma@swotc.ca). 

Join us to celebrate Tourism Week, an annual event recognized by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). This is an opportunity to connect with individuals from tourism businesses and organizations in southwestern Ontario. The event will include networking, a keynote presentation, refreshments, and a special announcement about upcoming partnership opportunities being offered by Ontario's Southwest. Together, let's recognize the vital role and significant impact of the tourism industry with this year’s theme being, Canada: Powered by Tourism.

Event Schedule
1:00-1:15pm - Arrival and Networking 
1:15-1:45pm - Welcome Message
1:45-2:45pm - Keynote Presentation 
2:45-4:00pm - Networking & Refreshments

About the Keynote Speakers

Dan and Laurie Megna are the owners of Twisted Lemon Restaurant and Boutique Inn, nestled in Cayuga. Their establishment offers unique culinary journeys including garden to plate offerings and exclusive chef’s table experiences, alongside a comfortable 3-bedroom accommodation.

Passionate about supporting the local community and economy, Dan and Laurie created a tourism alliance of 14 local operators with the goal of creating experiential getaway packages. The collaboration attracts visitors that generate a direct positive impact by improving the quality of life for residents and encouraging the spirit of collaboration.

Their efforts were recently recognized at the 2023 Canadian Tourism Awards where Twisted Lemon won the Hilton Small or Medium-sized Business of the Year Award. Additionally, they were honoured as the 2023 Innovator of the Year at the Southern Ontario Tourism Conference. Dan and Laurie are eager to share insights from their experience of cultivating partnerships and crafting packages.

• Explore the significance of a responsible supply chain in the tourism sector.

• Provide practical steps for businesses to develop and maintain environmentally and socially responsible supply chains.

• Discuss case studies of businesses successfully implementing mindful supply chain practices.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain knowledge and network with like-minded professionals!

• Maximize the benefits of partnerships beyond the conventional collaborations.

• Identify new opportunities for local businesses to partner for mutual growth.

• Discuss case studies highlighting successful partnerships in the tourism industry that emphasize the importance of long-term thinking in decision-making for responsible tourism.

Participants will have an opportunity to use what they've learned to build relationships with others during the session!

• Explore how marketing content can positively or negatively impact a destination.

• Discuss strategies for responsible and ethical marketing practices in the tourism industry.

• Support businesses to consider the long-term impacts of their marketing decisions destinations and communities.

The second Skills Development in Tourism Workshop is an interactive and educational workforce event designed for tourism businesses and post-secondary students. This workshop provides a platform to invite future leaders into the world of tourism and share information about the various career opportunities that will lead to a fulfilling career. Learn about pressing tourism topics, take part in our facilitated networking sessions, and enhance your knowledge by hearing from our keynote speaker! 

Date: Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 
Time: 1 - 4 p.m. 
Location: Elm Hurst Inn & Spa (415 Harris St, Ingersoll, ON N5C 3J8)
RSVP: The RSVP deadline has passed and we are no longer accepting registrations.

An online workshop where you'll learn how AI tools can help you to do more with less and bring your creative ideas to life. In this session you'll learn:

• How we got here, including a brief history and trends of AI

• The most useful AI tools that are available right now

• How to write effective prompts that get better results

• Navigating the risks and concerns about AI and security

• Demonstration of ways that AI can be used every day to make tasks easier

• Opportunities to ask questions about AI and Chat GPT

What is included?

• Access to the live workshop

• Recording of the session

• The slide deck

• A step-by-step PDF guide to writing effective prompts when using AI tools

Join for a transformative one-day event to activate the regional shift towards tourism that contributes to the well-being of communities and the environment.

Why Attend:

• Gain insights from industry experts and thought leaders.

• Participate in group dialogue to identify common themes, to imagine what might be possible in our region, and to identify intentions and actions moving forward.

• Connect with forward thinking people who want to build collaborative capacity.

• Be part of a growing community committed to sustainable and regenerative tourism.

• Experience a connection to the natural environment with hands-on activity.

Registration is closed and we’ve retained the following for informational purposes only. Stay tuned to the industry newsletter for the announcement of the December 6th registration being launched!

Are you interested in hiring for positions at your organization and want to be connected with potential job seekers?  

Join us on World Tourism Day for the Skills Development in Tourism Workshop, an interactive and educational workforce event designed for tourism businesses and post-secondary students. This workshop provides a platform to invite future leaders into the world of tourism and share information about the various career opportunities that will lead to a fulfilling career. Learn about pressing tourism topics, take part in our facilitated networking sessions, and enhance your knowledge by hearing from our keynote speaker!

Date: Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 
Time: 1 - 4 p.m. 
Location: Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre (591 Wellington Rd, London, ON N6C 4R3) 

Click here to fill out our pre-event survey so that we can get to know you and find out what interests you!

Taste of Place Summit is the global summit where destination and economic developers, managers, thought leaders and marketers meet to build their tastes of place, unlocking the positive power of growing culinary tourism.

Network with other destination developers, thought leaders, and tourism marketers to develop new strategies and build your taste of place.

Their speakers and discussion panels will give you new insights and inspirations to unleash the power of the growing culinary and agri-tourism market.

Each year, Team OSW and our Board of Directors hold an Annual General Meeting (AGM) to meet with regional tourism industry partners, provide a tourism update, and recognize the previous year’s successes. The meeting also serves as a forum to officially appoint new members to join the Board of Directors. Agenda here.

Join Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island at their Annual General Meeting at the LaSalle Event Centre!

Tickets are $30 (including fees) for the event - or purchase a table of 8 for $210 (one complimentary ticket).

Learn more about where the tourism industry is headed and what the next challenge will be with President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, Christopher Bloore speaking on "COVID in the rear-view: What's the next challenge for tourism in Ontario?"

AGM Itinerary:

11:30am - 12:00pm: Networking

12:00pm - 1:00pm: Business Portion of AGM and Plated Lunch Service

1:00pm - 1:30pm: Keynote: COVID in the Rear-view: What's the Next Challenge for Tourism in Ontario?

1:30pm: Adjourn

In this workshop, hosted by Norfolk County and Venture Norfolk, you will learn how to take control of your social media content creation for engaging and audience-satisfying posts. Click the button below to learn more and to register.

A recent study on social.com reveals that while over 90% of people perceive they have high Emotional Intelligence (EI) in actuality only 15% do.

Yet we know it is important and the research consistently discloses:

• Leaders with higher-than-average empathy, perform over 40% higher in employee engagement, decision-making, and coaching

• Employees who have leaders with high EQ are four times less likely to quit their jobs than those with managers who have low EQ

Why is this power skill so important and why does it remain underinvested in Leadership Development? In this new era of quiet quitting and the “great resignation”, no industry is feeling that pain more than hospitality. In this reality, leaders are forced to strengthen their Emotional Intelligence to meet expectations in our changing workforce.

Join ORHMA and FranklinCovey, as Jane Yrenaya facilitates a critical discussion on Emotional Intelligence, its importance to the industry, how it builds exceptional leaders that increase engagement, build teams, and create cultures that get results.

Tourism Week is an annual event recognized by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC). It’s an invitation for all tourism partners to come together to champion and promote Canada’s destinations, tourism businesses, and employees – from coast to coast to coast. After more than two devastating years for tourism, border restrictions have finally been removed. The rebuilding of Canada’s visitor economy is now underway, but there’s a long way to go before tourism reclaims being the $105-billion economic powerhouse it was pre-pandemic. That’s why this year’s theme is CANADA: Powered by Tourism!

Click the button below for four easy ways to get involved!