FEBRUARY 2017 

IN THIS ISSUE
 
HEADWATERS TOURISM RECOGNIZED BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS' COUNCIL OF ONTARIO
 
On Thursday, February 9th, 2017, at the Economic Developers' Council of Ontario Awards of Excellence in Toronto, Headwaters Tourism was recognized for exceptional work in marketing and economic development in the following categories:
  • WINNER - Best Publication (Print or Electronic) - Headwaters 2016 Four-Season Visitors' Guide
  • WINNER - Regional & Cross-Border Collaboration for Headwaters: Evolution of a Centre of Equine Excellence
  • HONOURABLE MENTION - Collaboration & Partnership Award/Public Private Partnership for Headwaters Parade of Horses - Pan Am Legacy Project
According to Headwaters Tourism's Board Chair, Stacey Coupland, "these honours recognize the significant impact Headwaters Tourism is making in the tourism and economic development fields; through innovation and vision, Headwaters Tourism has become a provincial and national leader in tourism destination marketing and management, is raising the bar for rural tourism development and we are proud that our work is contributing to the economic vitality of our rural communities in Headwaters."

Read the full media release-->> 
 
HEADWATERS TOURISM & HUMBER COLLEGE LEGACY PROJECT 
 
 
The legacy of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games lives on in the partnership that was first announced in October 2014 between Headwaters Tourism, Humber College and the Town of Caledon. The innovative public private partnership that was announced in 2014 was designed to support workforce training, tourism development and to help support the next generation of workers in the tourism industry.

On February 4th, 2017, the third annual Tourism Ambassador Certification program was delivered to 75 students from Humber College's School of Hospitality, Recreation and Tourism.  

 
 
Central Counties Tourism Symposium - March 27, 2017

Central Counties Tourism invites you to attend their networking and tourism B2B event. Connect with peers and gain industry insights from leaders in the field. This year features valuable learning sessions that include:
  • Digital Reputation Management with Andrew Wiens, TripAdvisor, International Destination Marketing Sales Manager
  • Be Remarkable: Five steps to achieve your goals and deliver remarkable tourism experiences with Todd Lucier, co-founder of the Tourism CafĂ© Canada
 

Tourism Industry Association of Ontario puts out CALL TO ACTION about hotel tax in Ontario   
   
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is calling on Ontario's tourism industry to take a stand on the province's exploration of allowing municipalities to impose a hotel tax across the province. 

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2017 Dufferin Industry Luncheon 
 
On Thursday, February 23rd, the Dufferin Board of Trade, the Rotary Club of Orangeville and the Greater Dufferin Home Builders' Association host their annual Dufferin Industry Luncheon.
Taking place at the Best Western Plus Orangeville Inn & Suites, this year's event features Dr. Sean Wise as the keynote speaker. As a celebrated business speaker and as one of North America's leading mentors with an unmistakable passion for business, Dr. Wise specializes in helping emerging and high growth potential organizations jump on the trajectory and turn a profit.
  
Full details-->>

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2017 is the International Year of Sustainable Tourism  

Decreed by the United Nations, the International Year of Sustainable Tourism is intended to provide a myriad of opportunities for businesses to create lasting and positive change and economic growth in the communities they operate within.


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Attention all tourism start-ups  
 
The World Tourism Forum Lucerne, is seeking start-ups to join their Start-Up Innovation Camp and attend the World Tourism Forum Lucerne from May 3 to 5, 2017, in Lucerne, Switzerland. The forum is looking for the most innovative business models from around the world, including those specializing in hospitality and tourism.

Deadline for applications:  February 28, 2017

 
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Ontario Chamber of Commerce sends letter on proposed Toronto hotel tax  
 
On January 30th, 2017, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) sent a letter to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne cautioning against the imposition of a four percent hotel tax in Toronto, as requested by Toronto City Council. Tourism Toronto, the organization integral to supporting and growing tourism in the region, derives the majority of its budget from a voluntary Destination Marketing Program in partnership with the region's hotels. A hotel tax could put this source of revenue, and tourism promotion activities in the region, at risk.

More details-->> 
 
 
Applications now being accepted for OMAFRA RED funding program
  
The province , through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, is now accepting applications for the renewed RED program, which bolsters economic growth in rural and Indigenous communities across Ontario by providing support for projects that allow rural municipalities and partners to diversify and grow their local economies.
 
Find out more-->>

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Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival seeking volunteers


The Orangeville Blues & Jazz Festival is seeking volunteers to assist with their 2017 award-winning festival. Attracting thousands of attendees and showcasing some of the very best of local and
Canadian Blues and Jazz, it takes around 200 fabulous volunteers to pull it all together.

Find out how to take part-->> 
 
Thank you to all our Leading with the Best partners who work in partnership with us to help promote Headwaters as Ontario's premier rural tourism destination. 

We are pleased to welcome our newest tourism partners into our Leading With the Best program:
If you are actively engaged in the tourism industry in Headwaters and are looking to expand your marketing reach, we encourage you to consider our  Leading with the Best program. Businesses that take part in our program are promoted as leading tourism experiences to consumers and become part of our targeted and featured promotions in Headwaters through our digital and social media platforms. 
 
Call or email our Leading With the Best Program Manager to get more information on how Headwaters Tourism can market your business to tourists.

Stephany St.Louis | 905.587.0178 
 
 
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If you have press releases and photos about newsworthy events and happenings, please send them directly to our attention at media@headwaters.ca