WELCOME
As the national voice of tourism, we bring our readers the latest news, data and trends impacting Canadian businesses. Advocating for tourism, in Ottawa and throughout Canada, the TIAC team keeps a busy outreach agenda, from which each edition of TIAC Talk brings you the latest updates. Enjoy the issue!

- Charlotte Bell, TIAC President and CEO
2019 Tourism Congress, Another Great Success for TIAC
TIAC’s annual signature event brought tourism industry leaders, professionals and thought-leaders together for a dynamic exchange of ideas, insights and networking opportunities. The event’s great success was enhanced by the caliber of speakers, sponsors, delegates and special guests in attendance.

On behalf of the TIAC team, our partners and sponsors that helped us bring Congress to life and showcase the best of tourism, thanks to everyone for your support and contribution to make this another great Congress.

Basking on the success of this year’s Congress, we proudly share some event highlights:

Congress Sessions

Under the theme “Driving the visitor economy-together” over two days, TIAC’s Tourism Congress program featured a thought-provoking, data driven and insightful lineup of presentations, panel discussions and TED-style talks from tourism experts and thought-leaders on topics such as; competitiveness, sustainability, the new political climate, diversity and Canada’s positioning on issues within a global context shaping the travel economy.
Keynote – International Perspective

Gloria Guevara-Manzo WTTC President & CEO shared her vision to grow travel & tourism sustainably for a better world, through job creation and economic development to reduce poverty and foster peace and security.
Sustainability

Jay-Ann Gilfoy, CEO, Vancity Community Investment Bank shared sustainability financial successes and demystified challenges with concrete examples on how profit and purpose work in tandem in the tourism industry.
Diversity

The stories from community and organizational leaders championing integration to Canada’s economy, provided a timely call to action for industry’s inclusion practices to reflect all voices.
Thanks to all of our great speakers and presenters for taking part! To review the full list of sessions at Congress, click below:
The 20th edition of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s Tourism Congress and Canadian Tourism Awards will take place November 17 - 18, 2020 at the Westin Ottawa; presented in partnership with Ottawa Tourism.
 
TIAC Members who register and pay before June 1st will enjoy an additional $50 saving on the Early Bird rate of $725. Membership has its privileges!
Registration opens March 3rd, 2020.
ADVOCACY
Shortly after the federal election, the Tourism Congress presented a timely opportunity to shine the spotlight on the breadth and impact of the tourism sector. As such, Charlotte Bell TIAC President & CEO kicked-off the event, in person and on-line with her vision and strategy to advance tourism and foster industry and government collaboration to bring more jobs & prosperity to all Canadians.
Prior to Congress, TIAC reached out to over 60 MPs, including 26 that had CTA nominees in their ridings, resulting in strong participation from MPs from across the country during the Congress and the CTAs, including tourism tireless supporters Gudie Hutchings, Blake Richards & Gord Johns. Additionally, industry was pleased to welcome back the Honorable Mélanie Joly as the recently appointed Minister of Economic Development & Official Languages which oversees tourism.

Minister Joly also made a memorable appearance during the Canadian Tourism Awards, where she received a standing ovation, echoing industry’s appreciation for her continued commitment to advance tourism.

During Congress, TIAC’s advocacy positions were published in the Hill Times via an op-ed by TIAC’s CEO highlighting the relevance and recognition of tourism during the federal election and the continued need for supportive legislation. The full article is available by clicking the link below:
CANADIAN TOURISM AWARDS
The cream of the crop of Canada’s tourism industry took centre stage November 20 at the annual Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by TIAC, the Toronto Star and WestJet, and hosted by Ottawa Tourism. The event recognizes success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry.

Thanks to all attendees, nominees, sponsors, MPs and special guest Minister Mélanie Joly for a successful event! And congratulations to all finalists and recipients!
MEMBER CORNER
Congress provides a great opportunity to network and catch up with TIAC members and get the pulse of the industry from front line businesses and organizations.

As always, during TIAC President and CEO Charlotte Bell’s Leadership Report, member successes were celebrated while providing further details on the work being done year-round to ensure industry voices are heard. 

It’s an exciting time to be a TIAC member! Not a member but want to join? Contact Jennifer Taylor, Vice-President, Marketing & Member Relations at 902-698-0984 or jtaylor@tiac-aitc.ca
CONGRESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Social media played a big role at Congress this year. Our successful pre-event social media campaign spread the word early on, and drew engagement online and onsite at TIAC’s Social Media Corner where delegates, presenters, MPs & sponsors had fun & shared their enthusiasm for industry with pictures and the use of the event hashtags #TIACcongress and #TIACawards.
👇 Most popular post on Twitter 👇
SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES
TIAC welcomes Ottawa Tourism as Congress Diamond Sponsor
TIAC has signed a multi-year agreement with Ottawa Tourism. The partnership will see both organizations work together to grow Congress and raise the profile of Ottawa as a meetings and events hub.
“Ottawa Tourism is pleased to partner with TIAC on an agreement as Industry Patron, supporting the Tourism Congress in Ottawa for the next three years,” says Michael Crockatt, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “This is an important partnership for our destination, which as the capital of Canada, takes seriously the role of representing the country and thus acts as a starting point for storytelling, collaboration, and research in the tourism industry. Through this partnership, we look forward to connecting with our tourism colleagues from across the country and sharing Canada’s stories.”

Partnering with TIAC brings the reach, exposure and credibility tourism leading voices. Interested in sponsoring a TIAC event? Contact Jennifer Taylor, Vice-President, Marketing & Member Relations at 902-698-0984 or jtaylor@tiac-aitc.ca.
RECOGNITION
Volunteer Recognition

A special thanks to our student volunteers from Algonquin College’s Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management program, who contributed their time and efforts to help make Congress a success!
TIAC Team Recognition

Job well done TIAC Team! This was another great Tourism Congress with special thanks to the TIAC Events team, whose year-round efforts come to fruition during the two-day event. Thanks to the entire team’s dedication and professionalism, together we raise the bar on Congress every year!
PREFERRED PARTNERS
INDUSTRY PATRONS