Last Call for Tourism Innovation Grant Applications

The Oxford County Tourism Innovation Grant is back for another year! Community Futures Oxford has teamed up with Tourism Oxford and Rural Oxford Economic Development to award three grants of $3,000 to local businesses that will develop or expand tourism experiences in Oxford County in 2025.

With growing interest in domestic travel destinations, it is important to offer exciting and innovative visitor experiences to motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits. The Oxford County Tourism Innovation Grant encourages businesses to consider growing revenue through tourism.

Businesses that meet the eligibility criteria are invited to apply for the Oxford County Tourism Innovation Grant by February 21, 2025. The grant committee will then invite finalists for an in-person interview, following a thorough review and scoring of each application. Applications will be evaluated on creativity, innovation, feasibility, economic and community impact, as well as equity and inclusion.

To inspire your application, read about our 2024 recipients.

Email Janet Wakutz for information and questions

Learn more about the grant and apply here

Opportunity for your operators: Elevating Ontario Experiences Project 2025

We are collecting names of local tourism attraction that would like to participate in the 2025 Elevating Ontario Experiences (EOE) program, operated by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). As in the past, this initiative is designed to support tourism operators across the province to uncover and develop potential new shoulder season experience opportunities. The program will include a series of 2-hour workshops, led by BC Hughes, followed by a 1-on-1 coaching session.

This spring, TIAO is be hosting four workshops across Eastern, Western, Northern, and Southern Ontario. For Oxford, the workshop is scheduled for April 17th, from 10:00 - 12:00pm. This is not a marketing opportunity, but rather a valuable session aimed at helping operators enhance and expand their offerings.

If you have not previously participated in experience development training and would like to participate in this program please contact Erica Orleni. Tourism Oxford will then send a list of recommended operators who may be a good fit for the program to TIAO for consideration.

If interested please email eorleni@oxfordcounty.ca by February 19th, 2025. This is a free program opportunity with the expectation participants will develop an experience.

Email Erica Orleni

Business Safety in Oxford Workshop

9 am, Wednesday, Feb 26, Market Theatre

The Woodstock Chamber is hosting an event to equip local businesses with practical strategies to enhance safety & security for you and your teams.

Loss prevention strategies
Managing intoxicated individuals
Conflict Resolutions
De-escalation
Connecting with local human service agencies

There will be representatives from Woodstock Police Services and Workplace Safety & Prevention Services. They will share valuable insights, address common safety concerns and provide solutions to help you navigate challenging situations.

Pre-Register today!

Seeds of Knowledge: Presentation & Plant swap

Date: April 10th @ 5:30-6:30

Location: Norwich Library

Lyndsay is a Protected Areas Lands Technical Specialist / Park Warden. She specialists in invasive species in this area and will be joining us for a presentation and Q&A session.

Please stop by our PLANT SWAP table inside the library. Bring a plant, take a plant or both

More information