Take a look below to read about:

• Ontario's Southwest "Develop to Market" Program
• what we've been sharing this holiday season
• a burger campaign for restaurants to be a part of
• an entrepreneurial resources event in Tillsonburg
• how to help us talk about you

Be sure to check out "Tourism Chatter"; a column that will be in every newsletter highlighting cool/exciting/innovative things that you are doing!

• Congratulations to Suzanne Renken, CEO of the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce. She was awarded the James Gordon Carnegie Award at the Chamber Executives of Ontario Conference.
• Terra Nova Spa & Cafe has expanded their services and has opened their doors to a Nordic Spa with a year-round outdoor hot pool, cold plunge, wood-fired sauna, eucalyptus steam room, and relaxation areas!
• Rainbow Registration: Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life has officially been granted the Rainbow Registration as a LGBT+ friendly businesses!

The Ontario’s Southwest (OSW) Develop to Market program will open at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 14, 2022!

If you are a tourism operator within OSW and have completed, or plan to complete in 2022, eligible projects in the areas of sustainability, accessibility, and the visitor's journey; you may be eligible to receive $1,000 (inclusive of taxes) worth of services.

These services include your choice of photography, graphic design, or marketing support through e-newsletters, social media, or website via the OSW Develop to Market program.

Join Ana Baxter, Research & Strategic Partnerships Manager at OSW, in one of the following info sessions:

• Tuesday December 6, 11:00 - 11:45 AM Session - register here
• Thursday December 8, 2:00 - 2:45PM Sessions - register here

Learn more about the program here or watch the video below!

(Note: the sold-out sign will come off when the program opens) 

We've been talking about your holiday offers!

Tourism Oxford has several marketing campaigns underway at this time to promote shopping locally and visitation now and in the new year. Campaigns include:

1. Joint campaign with Community Futures Oxford and Rural Oxford promoting rural shopping adventures this holiday season.
2. Joint campaign with Culinary Tourism Alliance promoting visitation for the Oxford County Cheese Trail
3. Print & digital Screens in Toronto with messaging to “Gift Oxford County” this holiday season
4. Holiday landing page (events, shopping, gifting travel)

The Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) is partnering with Canada Beef on their #BurgerItForward campaign, running February 1-28, 2023 in support of food banks across Canada.

Who can be a part of it?

• Restaurants making a great burger with Canadian beef

How much does it cost?

• FREE. But, Canada Beef does ask for a $50 gift card to be used in contesting and promotions for the program

What is the purpose behind it?

• Canada Beef will donate the equivalent of 1 meal to the food bank for every burger sold, to a max of $20k

What do the restaurants receive?

• They will be supporting food security and also receive free promotion through BOTH the Ontario Culinary and Canada Beef social networks (a combined total of over 94.5k followers)!
• Plus they'll have presence on a province-wide burger map on ontarioculinary.com

Learn more and sign up here.

On Thursday December 15th at "The Spot" (second floor of the Tillsonburg Town Centre) there is going to be a Tillsonburg Entrepreneurial Services POP-UP.

This afternoon event runs from 1pm - 5pm and you can learn about a variety of services and partners that you can work with to start a new venture OR grow a thriving business. You'll be able to connect with Area Chambers of Commerce, Community Futures Oxford, The Small Business Centre, Tillsonburg BIA, Tillsonburg Economic Development & Marketing AND us - Tourism Oxford!

Drop-in Hours: 1pm - 3pm

Networking: 3pm - 5pm

We'd love to see you out there. P.S. there are also great door prizes, snacks & refreshments!

Our New Year's Resolution is to showcase what you have going on! The new year often inspires new habits and goals not only with us, but our consumers & visitors.

Help us share how to infuse Oxford County into 2023 Resolutions with themes including:

• Mindfulness Experiences & Products
• Trying Something New
• Reducing your Ecological Footprint
• Getting Active in Oxford

Send us your content ideas and prompts for these themes or share other story ideas you are excited about!

• Ontario Government Releases 2022 Fall Economic Statement - Read here
• Tourism Trends You Don't Want to Miss! - Previous Newsletter
• Check out our Resources Page for some valuable information - Learn more here

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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