On this month's newsletter of "You Need to Know This":

• Tourism Chatter: new additions, investments & celebrations
• Federal Government launches $108 million tourism growth program
• Skills Development in Tourism Workshop is in Woodstock next month!
• Ontario Government Launches EV ChargeON Program
• Reimagine to Succeed Program with OTEC
• Register for the Southern Ontario Tourism Conference

• Congratulations to all the nominees & winners of the Woodstock Chamber's Business Awards of Excellence! Deep Purple Lavender Farm - Agri-Business, Blue Cow Delivery - Commercial/Retail, Brickhouse Brewpub - Food Services, Fore! Oxford - New Business!!
• A huge congratulations to the Woodstock Art Gallery after the Government of Canada announced an investment of more than $940,000 to expand and improve the Woodstock Art Gallery through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GCIB). The funding, along with a contribution from the City of Woodstock, will go towards transforming their vacant 4th floor into an engaging and active programming space! Read the announcement.
• Congratulations to Willow Lake Campground and RV Park on winning the award for Best Customer Service in Ontario at the Camping In Ontario Campground Owners Conference.
• Udderly Ridiculous Inc. - won the Culinary Tourism Experience Award and the Culinary Tourism Leadership Award at the 2023 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence!
• Indigo Lounge Wellness + Eatery - won the Culinary Tourism Alliance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award at the 2023 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence!
• The Town of Tillsonburg has release their Fall 2023 edition of the Tillsonburg Connected Newsletter - read about lease opportunities, news from the Town and more.

Do you have news to share? Email Emily

The Tourism Growth Program is a key part of the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. The program provides $108 million over three years.

Funding Available:

• Applicants can request up to a maximum of $250,000 per project. Exceptions may apply.
• Businesses: Funding is normally offered in the form of a fully repayable, interest-free contribution.
• Non-Profit: Funding is normally offered in the form of a non-repayable contribution.

Eligible Applicants:

• incorporated small- and medium-sized enterprises
• Indigenous-owned businesses or organizations
• not-for-profit organizations
• governments (municipal/provincial/territorial and related entities)

Eligible Activities:

• support the Indigenous tourism industry
• increase tourism benefits for communities by driving visitation from urban areas to rural areas
• support economic, environmental and cultural sustainability
• support active outdoor experiences
• extend the tourism season (e.g., new or expanded tourism offerings outside of the traditional high season)
• complement support provided through provincial programs

Over $30 million is available to businesses and organizations in southern Ontario to develop tourism attractions and experiences that will draw people to our communities.

Sign up for an information session offered virtually by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev) on December 4th, 7th, and 8th. To register, click here.  

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

Join Ontario’s Southwest for the Skills Development in Tourism Workshop, an interactive and educational event designed designed to ignite the passion for travel and explore the vast possibilities within the tourism industry. This workshop provides a platform to enhance your knowledge about the world of tourism, its significance, and the various career opportunities it offers.

Over 200 eager students are planning to attend this event and we want to ensure a strong turnout from the industry. You'll also hear from our keynote speaker, Stephen Tooshkenig who will speak on tourism and hospitality entrepreneurship.

Date: Wednesday, December 6th, 2023

Time: 1 - 4 p.m.

Location: Quality Hotel & Suites (580 Bruin Blvd. Woodstock, ON)

RSVP: Please click the button below to RSVP by Wednesday, November 29th.

The Government of Ontario has launched the EV ChargeON program, offering funding for the installation of public electric vehicle chargers in communities across Ontario, particularly those outside major cities.

The maximum funding available per project is $1 million, with funding capped at 75% of the total cost for municipalities, Indigenous businesses and organizations, and communities, and 50% for all other applicants.

Eligible applicants include:

• businesses
• not-for-profit corporations
• Indigenous organizations and businesses
• municipal governments
• broader public sector organizations

These charging stations must be publicly accessible 24/7 and meet certain specifications for Level 2 and Level 3 ports.

You can now register for the 2024 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference in Sarnia, on March 4-6, 2024.

This is a collaborative conference in partnership with Ontario’s Southwest and The Heart Of Ontario (Regional Tourism Organizations 1 & 3) that brings together tourism partners across the regions and is a fantastic opportunity to:

• Learn through workshops, presentations, tours, and panel discussions.
• Stay updated on the latest trends, best practices, and market insights.
• Embrace networking opportunities with industry peers, potential partners, and experts.

Dates:

• March 4th - Learning Tours & Welcome Reception
• March 5th - Conference Day 1, Regional Tourism Innovation Awards Gala, So-Social After Party
• March 6th - Conference Day 2

Location: Sunbridge Hotel and Conference Centre

Sarnia/Point Edward 1498 Venetian Blvd., Point Edward ON N7T 7W6

• A new Ontario Tourism Health Check Report released - click here to view the report
• Working Together - Previous Newsletter (Funding Opportunities, Upcoming Workshops, What Consumers think of Ontario's Southwest, etc.)

Your cheerleaders in tourism,

Emily, Karlee & Meredith

Tourism Oxford | 519-539-9800 x3355 | tourism@oxfordcounty.ca |

Consumer website: www.tourismoxford.ca

Industry website: www.oxfordcounty.ca/business-in-oxford/tourism

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