MAY 2015 

IN THIS ISSUE

HEADWATERS RE-BRANDS AS HOME OF RURAL ENJOYMENT, AUTHENTIC LIVING

 

May 8, 2015: The Ontario communities of Erin, Caledon, Dufferin County, Mono and Shelburne, collectively known as Headwaters, are inviting tourists and day-trippers to connect with the farm-fresh food, unspoiled nature and simple pleasures of the spectacularly beautiful region, now branded as the place "Where Ontario gets real."

 

The new identity was launched in front of 200 dignitaries, businesspeople and media at the Caledon Equestrian Park, future site of the Equestrian events of the Toronto 2015 Pan Am Games. Named for being the source of some of Ontario's biggest rivers, Headwaters is also home to over 23,000 horses and is one of the most concentrated equestrian areas in Ontario.

 

The centerpiece of the new brand is Headwaters 2015 Visitors' Guide, a 68-page guide to the year-round food and dining, activities, cultural and community events and natural attractions waiting less than an hour from Toronto. The guide also introduces 30 local people who embody the creativity and independent spirit of the region's many entrepreneurs. Fiddlers to farriers (horse foot and shoe experts), restaurateurs to ranchers, stone masons to farmers are presented in bold black-and-white photographs by award-winning Caledon photographer Pete Paterson. The guide was included in 65,000 GTA copies of the Globe and Mail on May 7, and will be available in hundreds of hotels and other tourist-friendly locales province-wide.

 

In addition to the Guide, Headwaters Tourism also plans to promote the region through its website, social media, and ongoing events that bring together Headwaters' food, arts and culture, natural beauty and other elements, showcasing the region's many talented people and unique attractions.

  

Read on for more information or to read the full press release--> 

 

 

TOURISM AMBASSADOR PROGRAM WORKSHOPS IN HEADWATERS
 

The Central Counties Ambassador Program was developed to help further instill a culture of hospitality excellence so that visitors feel welcomed, informed and well-treated while visiting our regions. 
 
Our goal is to work with local business people, tourism industry partners and any other people who may be involved in welcoming visitors to the Games-related events to ensure that each and every person who visits the Central Counties area has a great experience and fond memories that will bring them back to the region again. The Ambassador Program is customized for each region and participants will receive a customized Service Action Plan upon completion of the half day workshop.  

 

REGISTER NOW


 

UPDATE ON JO FILLERY
 

As many of you may be aware, Jo Fillery, our Headwaters Tourism Field Manager suffered an aneurism at the end of March. We are pleased to report that after several weeks in hospital, she is now recovering at home. The outlook is positive, and we look forward to having her back in the field when she is fully recovered. Well wishes have been forwarded to Jo, and we know they mean a lot to her. We will keep you up-to-date on her progress.  

 

In the meantime, if you require any assistance, please feel free to contact Michele Harris or Stephany St.Louis during Jo's absence. We certainly won't be able to fill Jo's shoes, but will fill in until such time as Jo's back up and running. Thanks again for all your well-wishes.

 

 

HEADWATERS PARTNERS IN TOURISM SYMPOSIUM 2015
CELEBRATING THE BEST IN DESTINATION BRANDING
 
Headwaters Partners in Tourism Symposium 2015 took place on Monday, March 23, 2015 at Best Western Orangeville Plus Inn & Suites and featured the theme: Celebrating the Best in Destination Branding. The well attended event was extremely informative. Click the link below to review the session presentation information and presenter biographies.

Headwaters Partners in Tourism Symposium 2015

 

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE ONTARIO HERITAGE TRUST - CHELTENHAM BADLANDS
 

At the end of May, a protective fence will be erected along Olde Baseline Road in the Town of Caledon, temporarily closing the Cheltenham Badlands to visitors - while a long-term plan guiding future conservation and public access to the site is under development.  

 

http://www.heritagetrust.on.ca/News-and-Events/2015/May/Caledon-s-Cheltenham-Badlands-temporarily-closed.aspx

 

 

SHARE YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF PARKS & RECREATION IN CALEDON
 

The Town of Caledon's Parks and Recreation team wants to hear from you. We're reaching out to the community to find out what your vision is for the future of parks and recreation in Caledon. Submit a completed questionnaire before May 15, 2015 to be eligible to receive a FREE six-month Unlimited Wellness membership!

 

 

 

CALL FOR FOOD VENDORS IN HEADWATERS

 

Central Counties is organizing a familiarization tour for international travel agents on Saturday May 30th, 2015. The objective of the tour is to showcase group travel offerings from the three regions that comprise Central Counties. Each region will promote itself in a different manner. Headwaters would like to promote its culinary sector. As such, we are seeking food vendors to provide pre-packaged snacks for a bus tour for 30 people.  

 

Deadline for submission of interest and prospective food items is Tuesday May 19th, 2015 by 5pm. Contact Stephany at 905-587-0178 or Stephany@headwaters.ca for more details or to participate. 

 

This is a great opportunity to promote your product and your business, so please ensure to include a business card or your contact information when packaging the product. Central Counties will mention all of our sponsors in the next B2B newsletter as further promotion for your business.  

 

 

PROMOTE YOUR BUSINESS VIA HEADWATERS TOURISM MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES 

 

Free tourism business, event and news listings  

If you operate a tourism related business, we invite you to register your business for free and be part of the region's largest tourism-focused website. With thousands of unique visitors each month on the Headwaters website, your business will benefit from additional exposure at NO COST, and be linked to the Central Counties Tourism website that also gets thousands of unique visitors monthly. This is an opportunity to engage numerous unique visitors each month at NO COST to your business. What are you waiting for -
sign up now!

 

Leading with the Best partnership 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 and Central Counties through our digital and social media platforms. Benefits of the program are too numerous to list.  

 

Call or email Stephany our Leading With The Best Program Manager to get more information on how Headwaters Tourism can market your business to tourists.

 

Stephany St.Louis -  stephany@headwaters.ca | 905.587.0178

 

 

'REAL' FACES TO ADORN YOUR SPACES

 

As part of our brand launch, Headwaters Tourism has produced posters (24" x 36") featuring various faces of our region that represent our key sectors:

  • Arts & Heritage
  • Fresh & Local
  • Fun & Festive
  • Horse & Country
  • Nature & Leisure
     

We encourage you to Visit our office to pick up your own free copies of this poster celebrating all who make our region real.   

 

Click the image to the right for a closer look and to learn more about the faces.--->

 

 

 

KEEP US UP-TO-DATE ON EVENTS AND NEWSWORTHY HAPPENINGS  

 

Let us know about your events and newsworthy happenings so that we can help promote all that makes the Headwaters region special.

   

If you have press releases and photos about newsworthy events and happenings, please send them directly to our attention at media@headwatersregion.ca