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Dear TIAC Members,
As we move into the fall, I want to take a moment to reflect on what has been an incredibly busy and productive summer for our industry and for the TIAC team.
Across the country, operators have been working tirelessly through one of the busiest travel seasons in recent years. At the same time, the TIAC team have been moving full speed ahead on the advocacy front while preparing for our signature events. Following the submission of our pre-budget recommendations to the Finance Committee, our advocacy team have been meeting with Members of Parliament and government officials to ensure tourism remains a national priority. Meanwhile, our events team have been in full planning mode, preparing for both our upcoming One Hill of a Party and TIAC’s annual Tourism Congress.
Our advocacy efforts continue to deliver results. This summer, TIAC secured expedited visitor visa and study permit processing with IRCC, advanced new approaches to international labour with Commissioner Nancy Healy, and successfully pressed for the removal of reciprocal trade tariffs, a cause we have been championing since the start of the year due to its impact on costs and certainty for operators.
These wins remind us of the power of advocacy. Together, we ensure tourism’s priorities are heard and acted upon at the highest levels of government.
As we look ahead, TIAC remains focused on driving momentum, supporting the issues that matter most, and showcasing tourism as a vital driver of Canada’s economy and communities.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. I look forward to connecting with many of you at One Hill of a Party next week and Tourism Congress in November.
Claude Paul Boivin
Interim President and CEO
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
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The Board of Directors of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Sébastien Benedict as President and Chief Executive Officer effective October 20th, 2025. Sébastien brings extensive experience in public affairs, government relations, and leadership, and will lead Canada’s tourism industry forward during a time of opportunity and renewal.
“On behalf of TIAC’s Board, I am thrilled to welcome Sébastien as our new President and CEO,” said Matthew Jelley, Board Chair. “His strategic vision and ability to bring people together make him the ideal leader for TIAC as we build a more competitive and resilient tourism sector. We are confident his leadership will benefit our members and further strengthen our advocacy efforts on behalf of Canada’s tourism industry.”
“I am committed to furthering TIAC’s mission, strengthening our sector, and working collaboratively to shape the future of Canadian tourism.” added Sébastien Benedict. “With our industry positioned for important growth, I look forward to advancing our shared goals and delivering greater impact alongside TIAC’s members, partners, and stakeholders from coast to coast to coast.”
The board would like to thank Claude Paul Boivin, who served as interim CEO during the transition. His steadfast stewardship helped guide TIAC through a period of change and ensure continuity for the organization and its members.
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Protect Your Team with TIAC’s Benefit Insurance Advantage (Webinar)
October 14, 2025
Your people are your greatest asset – and now, TIAC members have access to an exclusive insurance benefit designed to protect them year-round.
Join us as OpenCircle, Canadian not-for-profit and TIAC’s trusted partner, reveals how their Insurance Benefit program and innovative Health Insurance and Hour Bank for tourism workers can help you:
- Keep seasonal and part-time staff covered, even with fluctuating hours
- Offer competitive benefits that attract and retain top talent
- Strengthen your business with flexible, affordable insurance solutions
This session is exclusive to TIAC members.
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Northern Canada Territorial Tourism Roundtable
November 7, 2025
The Mackenzie Hotel - Inuvik, NT
Roundtable program now live!
We invite you to join us in Inuvik on November 7 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m! This in-person meeting will offer an opportunity for deeper engagement and regional collaboration.
If you’re attending the 2025 NWT Tourism Conference and AGM on November 4–6, why not wrap up your trip with the opportunity to further engage with peers and have your voice heard.
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Tourism Congress 2025
November 18-20, 2025
Hilton Lac-Leamy - Gatineau, QC
Join us this November for another incredible coming-together of tourism professionals, trade experts, and more.
Open to TIAC members and non-members, Tourism Congress provides curated educational sessions, workshops and panels from industry-leading experts.
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Canadian Tourism Awards
November 20, 2025
Hilton Lac Leamy – Gatineau, QC
Finalists to be announced early October
Thank you to everyone who nominated for the 2025 Canadian Tourism Awards! Finalists will be announced on October 2. Lifetime Achievement Award finalists will be announced on October 9.
The Canadian Tourism Awards recognizes and celebrates the nation’s most outstanding achievements in the industry. Join us for the “Oscars” of tourism!
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Do you know a stellar student?
The Air Canada Future Leaders Contest recognizes students who embody the spirit of #TourismCan: Tourism Builds Canada.
Up to four recipients will be given complimentary registration to TIAC’s Tourism Congress and the Canadian Tourism Awards, including accommodations and airfare.
Submit your application before September 30!
| | READI™ Training Partner Workshops at the 2025 Tourism Congress | | | Building a Stronger Canada Through Sustainable Tourism
Instructed by GreenStep
This workshop will explore how sustainable and regenerative tourism practices are vital for strengthening Canada's economy, protecting its natural and cultural heritage, and building resilient communities. | Whet Your Appetite: Unlock Your Destination’s Taste of Place to Grow Culinary Tourism
Instructed by the Culinary Tourism Alliance
This idea-packed workshop is designed for tourism professionals who want to position their destination around one of today’s top travel motivators: food. Discover how to uncover and map your destination’s food and farm assets, turn local flavours into memorable visitor experiences, and more! | | | |
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Don't forget!
For 2025 only, the annual READI™ Stamp Usage & National Directory Listing Fee ($100) is waived for anyone who successfully completes an assessment form. TIAC Members can get their first year of designation FREE for successful applications completed before the end of 2025.
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| Discover a bold, future-focused approach to planning with Flourishing in Tourism—a unique collaboration between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Bannikin. Designed for tourism organizations and businesses across the country, this transformative solution helps you define what success means on your own terms, then build a thoughtful, creative, and actionable plan to achieve it. | | |
Why Join TIAC?
As a TIAC member, you influence policy, access exclusive events and insights, connect with industry leaders, and gain recognition for your commitment to excellence. Your membership isn’t just a card—it’s a seat at the table where Canada’s tourism future is shaped.
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Welcome to our new and returning TIAC members!
Your support powers Canada’s tourism momentum — building connections, shaping policy, and driving growth nationwide. We’re glad you’re with us!
| | We’re grateful to the 37 organizations that renewed their memberships in August—together, we keep tourism moving. | | |
Members! Are you maximizing your TIAC membership?
Access on-demand recordings of past webinars
Catch up on expert insights you missed—available any time in the member portal.
Step into the Spotlight with a Member Feature Story
Share your story, inspire others, and showcase the impact you’re making in our vibrant community.
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TIAC Advantage Program
This collection of discounts and offerings is exclusively curated for TIAC members, designed to help you connect, save, and succeed. If you’re a TIAC member, you can access these benefits. The TIAC Advantage Program gives you more than just a seat at the table – it gives you the advantage.
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Building a Sustainable Future for Canadian Tourism: A Call to Action
by Angela Nagy
As Canada continues to chart a course for long-term economic resilience, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has provided a pivotal opportunity for dialogue, strategy, and alignment between government leaders and tourism stakeholders through its One Hill of a Party Event. One of the most pressing imperatives emerging from these discussions is the integration of sustainability as a cornerstone of Canada’s tourism growth, both for domestic prosperity and international competitiveness.
TIAC offers a crucial platform for the tourism industry to amplify the message that Canada’s tourism sector must not only recover but transform, driven by a shared vision of long-term environmental, social, and economic sustainability.
| | The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) expresses its most profound gratitude to its Industry Patrons for their significant financial investment and support of the association. TIAC's Industry Patrons are leading companies who have been instrumental in creating positive change, fostering international tourism growth, and advancing Canada's travel and tourism portfolio. | | | | |
