JUNE 2016  

IN THIS ISSUE
 
HEADWATERS 2016 FOUR-SEASON VISITORS' GUIDE WELL-RECEIVED BY CONSUMERS
 
The response to this year's edition has been better than even we could have imagined. Here's just a small taste of some of the feedback we've received:

I'm a picky, angry, old guy who finds fault in everything. My complaint: the Less Than an Hour From Toronto Headwaters guide is totally awesome and I can't take issue with anything!... Be warned I am coming up there next month.

Hats off to your team for the issue that arrived with today's Globe & Mail. Seldom do I take the trouble contact someone like this but - given that the magazine was irresistibly terrific - I had to. The read was entertaining, visually beautiful, informative, and succinct.
 
WOW....
just received inside the Globe and Mail your 2016 your Four Season Visitors' Guide..... beautiful, tasteful, gentle.... you might call it a guide to Ontario's hidden treasure.... its people. Your staff and organization deserve high praise and the magazine will bring visitors and dollars. This will remain on our coffee table a tribute to beauty and the art of marketing.

I just wanted to compliment you on the brochure that I received with the Globe & Mail. I thought the work that you had done was just extraordinarily well done. Very tasteful, very appealing, Its tempted me to realize that there are things north of Rosedale in the Toronto area and it will encourage me to come and spend some time in your neck of the woods.
 
We're already planning the 2017 edition, with a special section in the works for Canada 150 celebrations in Headwaters. We expect next year's edition will be sold out, so we'll be encouraging advertisers to reserve their space this summer to guarantee their position in the Guide. Stay tuned for more information on the 2017 edition. In the meantime...

 
LEADING WITH THE BEST - DEVELOPMENT SERIES
 
Headwaters Tourism will be offering a series of tourism development workshops for our Leading With the Best partners. These workshops are designed to assist our partners in further enhancing and growing their business through specific tourism opportunities, as well as providing an opportunity for these market-ready businesses to liaise, network and build partnerships with other like-minded businesses and colleagues.

Monday, August 15th - 10:30 am to 12noon
Leveraging Your Brand Through Storytelling

Monday, October 24th - 10:30 am to 12noon
Digital Marketing Tools for the Tourism Industry

Monday, January 30th, 2017 - 10:30 am to 12noon
Creating Content That Visitors Will Love

These workshops are available to all Leading With the Best partners at no cost.  Registration is required.


Register to attend-->


 
CANADA 150 CELEBRATIONS IN HEADWATERS
 
Headwaters Tourism has developed a planning calendar for Canada 150 celebrations taking place in the region. The purpose of the shared calendar is to encourage event organizers to consider events throughout the entire year and avoid challenges with too many activities happening on the same dates.

We encourage event organizers to not only submit their events to us for inclusion in the planning calendar, but also to review the Canada 150 planning calendar before booking your event date.


Share your plans for Canada 150 with us-->
 

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CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAPTER


On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of Confederation the Canadian Council for the Arts is proud to launch New Chapter to enable Canadian artists and arts organizations to bring their ambitious work to Canadian and international audiences.

Find out more-->


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FED DEV ONTARIO LAUNCHES INTAKE TWO OF CANADA 150 COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

On May 24, 2016 FedDev Ontario announced the launch of Intake Two of the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) in southern Ontario. Cultural and recreational infrastructure places-like community centres, parks and arenas-help to make our communities feel like home.



Just released -- Ontario announces Tourism Action Plan
 
On June 9, 2016, Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture & Sport, the Honourable Michael Coteau, announced that Ontario is launching a Tourism Action Plan that outlines steps the government will be taking now to strengthen and grow tourism in the province.

Ontario's Tourism Action Plan is a first step in the province's work on the longer-term Strategic Framework for Tourism, and signals their renewed commitment to collaborate with the industry to grow tourism in the province.

 
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Ontario Chamber of Commerce submits comments on provincial tourism framework
  
A focused strategy to support and develop Ontario's tourism industry is an important and necessary first step, according to the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC).  The OCC is encouraged that the government is moving ahead with the development of a framework to position Ontario as a more competitive tourism destination.
 
 
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Economic impact of arts & culture in Ontario
 
Statistics Canada recently released their Provincial and Territorial Cultural Indicators for 2010-2014.  This report demonstrates the economic importance of arts & culture in Ontario

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Ontario proposing to grow the Greenbelt 
 
The province has announced its proposed changes to the Greenbelt and Growth Plans as part of the Coordinated Review.There is a lot to share, and below you can find out how to take action and stay informed. Key recommendations include: a bigger, stronger Greenbelt; a commitment to curb urban sprawl and grow communities smartly; greater support for agriculture and local food. Online comments and feedback are encouraged.  
     
  
 
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Town of Caledon to conduct business employment survey

The Town of Caledon, in partnership with the Region of Peel, will be conducting the Town of Caledon Business Employment Survey.The first door-to-door survey of businesses was conducted in 2014. This vital information is being updated for 2016 during the period of May to August.
 
 
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Province passes legislation to support Ontario's trails

Ontario's Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport recently passed legislation that will sustain and improve the province's trails system, helping to build a healthier and more prosperous Ontario. The Supporting Ontario's Trails Act, 2016 will strengthen Ontario's extensive trails system. It will protect and enhance thousands of kilometres of the province's urban, suburban, rural and remote land and water trails while also encouraging its expansion.
 
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Changes for rules regarding tips & gratuities in Ontario

Starting June 10, 2016, there will be rules around the handling of tips and other gratuities in the workplace. These rules affect employers and employees covered by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) in workplaces where tips and gratuities are received - such as at bars, restaurants, hair and nail salons, catering firms and taxis
 
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Canada-Ontario Job Grants program

The Canadian tourism industry is growing and the expectations and demands of visitors are increasing. It is vital that your employees are trained and have the skill set to ensure your organization has sustainability in a competitive market. Don't miss this opportunity to access the Canada Ontario Job Grant.
 
 
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Regional Tourism Profiles updated with 2013 data 

The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Sport has released the Regional Tourism Profiles updated with 2013 data. Profiles are available for Ontario and its 13 Regional Tourism Regions.  Each profile includes: visitor statistics; visitor spending statistics; hotel statistics & tourism related establishment statistics.
 
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Foodland Ontario event partnership funding program re-opens

Good news for those hosting or presenting festivals and events that may need support to showcase local food: The Foodland Ontario Event Partnership Funding has RE-OPENED! Funding is available for events taking place from July 2016 to March 31, 2017.  Maximum funding is $2,000.
  
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Central Counties Tourism  

SUBMIT NOW - DEADLINE JUNE 30, 2016    
 
The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence celebrate industry success and recognize those who have made significant contributions to tourism in Ontario. The awards are divided into three respective categories: the Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence, the Tourism Marketing and Travel Media Awards of Excellence, and the Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence. Do you embody the spirit of tourism in Ontario? Has your organization created a new product, policy or service to enhance and promote tourism? Did your business make a viable and maintainable contribution to the promotion of sustainable tourism? You may be eligible for an award!

Nomination deadline:  June 30, 2016


SUBMIT NOW - DEADLINE JULY 5, 2016
   
The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

Nominations will be accepted for the following award categories: business of the year; community outreach; event of the year; innovator of the year; marketing campaign; national aboriginal (indigenous) cultural tourism; national cultural tourism; small or medium-sized business; social media/digital marketing; sustainable tourism; tourism employee of the year; cultural tourism experience; adventure/outdoor tourism; and lifetime achievement.

Nomination deadline:  July 5, 2016 (midnight).

Submit your nominations-->

 

Record attendance at 2016 Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival
 
 
The weekend weather was almost perfect, the performances were stellar and downtown Orangeville was the perfect host for what all indications point to as being the largest Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival yet. 

With over 90 acts, 300 performers at 25 venues, this year's Festival attracted close to 40,000 fans over the course of the weekend -- an increase of close to 5,000 visitors over last year's record-breaking numbers. 

Read all about the weekend-->

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First distillery in 100 years to open in Headwaters


Grand Spirits Inc., b ased in the historic town of Grand Valley, is realizing its long held ambition to create Ontario's very first renewable, community craft distillery. One hundred years since the beginning of Prohibition in the province, the Headwaters region will see its first legal stills come alive.


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Spirit Tree draught cider wins gold
 
Spirit Tree Estate Cidery recently won a gold medal for their Draught Cider in the English Cider category at the 11th annual Great Lakes Annual Cider and Perry Competition ( GLINTCAP) awards that took place at the end of April 2016.   With over 1000 entries, Spirit Tree's gold medal recognition is indeed impressive, and they continue to set the standard for cider production in Ontario.

Read all about the competition-->
 

 
LOOK WHAT YOU MISSED IF YOU'RE NOT FOLLOWING HEADWATERS  

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PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS VIA HEADWATERS TOURISM MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES 

 

FREE tourism business, event & news listings  

 

If you operate a tourism related business, we invite you to register your business for free and be part of the region's largest tourism-focused website. With thousands of unique visitors each month on the Headwaters website , your business will benefit from additional exposure at NO COST, and be linked to the Central Counties Tourism website that also gets thousands of unique visitors monthly. This is an opportunity to engage numerous unique visitors each month at NO COST to your business.  

 

What are you waiting for - sign up now!

 


Thank you to all our Leading with the Best partners who work in partnership with us to help promote Headwaters as Ontario's premier rural tourism destination and  "Where Ontario Gets Real" .
Get involved   
 
If you are actively engaged in the tourism industry in Headwaters and are looking to expand your marketing reach, we encourage you to consider our  Leading with the Best program. Businesses that take part in our program are promoted as leading tourism experiences to consumers and become part of our targeted and featured promotions in Headwaters through our digital and social media platforms. 
 
Call or email our Leading With the Best Program Manager to get more information on how Headwaters Tourism can market your business to tourists.

Stephany St.Louis | 905.587.0178 
 

 

KEEP US UP-TO-DATE ON EVENTS AND NEWSWORTHY HAPPENINGS  

 

Let us know about your events and newsworthy happenings so that we can help promote all that makes the Headwaters region special.

   

If you have press releases and photos about newsworthy events and happenings, please send them directly to our attention at media@headwaters.ca