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

  • Tourism Chatter: new additions, investments & celebrations
  • Come see us at our upcoming events!
  • FedDev Ontario offering funding for businesses
  • Have you heard about Ontario's Southwest Biosphere Program?
  • Train your tourism team with Community Employment Services!
  • Webinar on What is Your Role in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?
  • Are you attending the Ontario Tourism Summit in October?
  • Let's work towards more accessibility in our workplaces
  • Elm Hurst Inn & Spa is hiring for a Front Desk Manager! The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the front desk staff, ensuring that all customer inquiries are handled promptly and professionally, and overseeing the daily operations of the front desk. Learn more here.
  • The Cheesy Cow Company has been put on the short list for the Ontario Made Retailer Spotlight Award. You can vote for them and learn more here.



Do you have news to share? Email Emily

Join Us at our Upcoming Events

Get to Know Tourism Oxford @ Reel Treats - October 3rd, 2023

  • Join us for an in-person event (at Reel Treats in downtown Woodstock...YUM) to learn about the team behind Tourism Oxford and what we can assist you with. We’ll talk: supporting the development and enhancement of Tourism products, learning opportunities, business coaching, marketing & advertising, opportunities for collaboration and much more.
  • October 3rd, 2023 from 10:00 am - 11:00 am
  • Location: Reel Treats
Register Here

FedDev Ontario Offering Funding for Businesses

FedDev Ontario has launched a new streamlined application process with intakes three times per year, allowing for greater consistency in funding opportunities.


Type of Funding:

  • Interest-free loans and unconditionally repayable.
  • Applicants normally request a minimum of $125,000 up to a maximum of $10 million per project in repayable contribution funding.
  • Should your project be approved, repayment will normally begin 1 year after the completion of the project. The schedule of payments will be set out in your contribution agreement.
  • There is no penalty for early repayment.


Business Eligibility:

Growing and established businesses, co-operatives and Indigenous (First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples) businesses located or expanding in southern Ontario that:

  • are for-profit entities
  • are incorporated in Canada or Ontario
  • have a minimum of 5 full-time employees
  • have at least 3 years of business operations


Types of Projects:

The Agency will continue to prioritize projects in key areas like clean economic growth, support for innovative scale-ups, emerging technologies, and industrial transition.

  • Developing, commercializing and/or producing new and innovative products, processes and services
  • Improving productivity, capacity and competitiveness
  • Scaling-up or expanding business lines to tap into new markets or reach new customers


Virtual information sessions are being held to provide an overview of the new application process and funding priorities. 

Learn More and Attend a Virtual Info Session

Commit & Benefit: Ontario's Southwest Biosphere Commitment Program

In partnership with the University of Victoria Gustavson School of Business, 10 tourism organizations are being provided support to participate in the Biosphere Certification program. The Biosphere program is an internationally recognized certification initiative that helps organizations to define and work towards their sustainability goals and priorities.


Benefits:

  • provided support to participate in the Biosphere Certification Program


Investment:

  • must have invested a minimum of $1000 (exclusive of HST) in eligible areas after April 1st, 2023


Partnering with Other Operators:

  • isn't allowed to reach the total investment threshold since the certification is organization specific


Commitment:

  • Take advantage of the group training sessions an done-on-one consulting support
  • Reach the Biosphere Committed stage by March 15th, 2024
  • Continue to maintain your Biosphere Certification moving forward including the annual fee of $525 CAD


The application period is from Tuesday September 19th until Thursday October 26th (or when fully subscribed).

Watch Video on C&B
Learn More and apply to C&B

Train Your Team with Community Employment Services (CES)

Email the Team

What is Your Role in the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation?:Webinar

Join Indigenous Tourism Ontario's CEO and President Kevin Eshkawkogan for a learning journey, exploring the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.


Date: September 29th, 2023

Time: 12:00pm (noon)

Location: Virtual

Register Here

Are you attending the Ontario Tourism Summit in the Fall?

Ontario Tourism Summit is an award-winning event bringing together industry professionals across the province and the world.


The event welcomes tourism professionals from around the province to gather, share, and collaborate. 


This year's summit is about KNOWLEDGE, LEARNING and CONFIDENCE. Join TIAO as they recognize the areas of focus that are impacting our industry, our decisions, and how our industry is embracing the need to embrace change, try new, and have confidence in the opportunities that this provides.  

Don't miss out on two days of connecting with industry professionals, learning from experts, and gaining strategies to thrive in the new normal.

Purchase your tickets today!

Let's work towards more accessibility in our workplaces

FREE WEBINAR: AODA 101

Thur. October 5th, 2023

12:00pm - 1:00pm EST 


The AODA is an Ontario law mandating that organizations remove barriers and implement accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Businesses and organizations are required to comply with act.

 

This webinar will cover what disabilities are covered under the AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disability Act), why an accessible Ontario is vital for business growth and profitability, and a review of the five standards (customer service, employment, transportation, information and communication, built environment) and what you need to do to identify and remove barriers.


REGISTER HERE

In case you missed it...

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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