2020 Northern Ontario Tourism Fall Training Week Resources
2020 Fall Training Week Resources
In the fall of 2020, we introduced a virtual training week in lieu of our traditional summit to engage with industry across the North. Included below are the presentation recordings, handouts and contact information from each training session.
As we all pivot and transition during the global pandemic, learn how Indigenous Tourism is embracing technology and culinary tourism to Preserve, Renew, and Rejuvenate this important emerging sector.
Presented by: Kevin Eshkawkogan, President & CEO, Indigenous Tourism Ontario
With international tourism at a standstill, many of us have pivoted to welcome visitors from the domestic markets. In this webinar, we’ll look at the profile of the domestic traveller – who they are and what they like. A deep dive into data from summer activities will reveal insights into what marketing strategies work, and what topics are top of mind.
Presented by: Mike Jacobs, CEO, The New Business, Jenn McCartney and Adam Rosadiuk
- Review the six stages to selling a business
- Understand the timelines and learn strategies to expedite the process
- Learn about how Covid-19 has impacted the process of selling a business
- Review the resources available to them in the community
Presented by: Alison Anderson, CEO & Founder, SuccessionMatching
We will be discussing the SAO Incumbent Worker Training Programming through OTEC. This is a virtual instructor-led training for a COVID environment and includes two approaches;
- Professional development to build resiliency and emotional intelligence in leadership teams and
- Support for owners/operators bringing workers back to the workplace.
Presented by: Kelly Brintnell, Industry and Community Liaison, East and North Eastern Ontario | OTEC and Kieran Wells Industry and Community Liaison Central, West and Northwest Ontario | OTEC
Agenda:
- Annual General Business Meeting and release of 2019-20 Annual Report, 2019-20 Audit, and 2020-21 Business Plan
- Thank You to Patricia Forrest
- Presentation by Gord Knowles, Economic Developers Council of Ontario
Presented by: Marty Kalagian, President Destination Northern Ontario, David MacLachlan, Executive Director Destination Northern Ontario and Gord Knowles, Chair, Economic Development Council of Ontario
Pivoting or as Chris likes to call it ‘swiveling’ is a skill that entrepreneurs have perfected in order to be successful. Now throw in a global pandemic and some business owners have had to do a complete 360 in order to stay afloat.
Learn from your travel industry peers that have swiveled to success during this trying time.
Presented by: Chris Hughes, Partner, BC Hughes Tourism Consulting
Panel discussion with operators from various tourism business types that have used the protocols who will share their experiences in implementing them. What worked, what didn't, what do we need to change now that we know more about COVID-19?
Details: Moderator: Laurie Marcil, Executive Director, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario
Panelists:
Sue Crane - Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge
Ray Sapiano - Marten River Lodge
Kyle Polesky - Brace Lake Outfitters
Sean Mackey - Quality Inn
Lara Fielding - Science North
What we will cover:
- Current State of the industry
- Operating in the New Norm
- Advocating and Relief
- Hospitality Outlook
Presented by: Tony Elenis, President and CEO, Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA)
Make the most of the winter and upgrade your digital marketing. This seminar will cover the essentials of social media, websites and third party apps like Google Maps and Trip Advisor and how to improve your online presence for next season.
Presented by: Mike Jacobs, CEO, The New Business
In this session we’ll discuss how to enhance your web presence through online booking, specifically Simple Rez Solutions. Having an online booking system not only meets changing consumer expectations but allows tourism businesses to compete in the marketplace and reach new markets or demographics.
Presented by: Cory St. Pierre, Packaging Coordinator & Sales, Algoma Kinniwabi Travel Association
Sue Crane, Crane's Lochaven Wilderness Lodge and Pat Peterson, Owner/Operator of Bruce Bay Cottages and Lighthouse
Working through all the information including legislation, recommendations, regional protocols, brand differentiators and then figuring out how your accommodation should meet safety guidelines, can be overwhelming and confusing. In this webinar we will look at how the accommodation industry, in Ontario and Canada, is providing a clean and safe experience for staff and visitors and using cleanliness as a marketing tool and product differentiator. We will explore ways to determine the best fit plan for your business, what you need to consider and how the implement the protocols. Ensuring staff and visitors feel safe and confident are important steps in travel recovery.
Presented by: Eva Gutsche – Managing Director – STEM Consulting
Details:
- Acts surrounding the use of electronic waivers and e-signatures in Canadian provincial and federal law
- Best practices for electronic waivers
- How your customers can sign electronic waivers in advance or on site
- What to include in a waiver for COVID-19
- Benefits of electronic waivers for operators
- How to action the data you collect on your waiver to grow your business and social media channels
Presented by: Phil Ellison, Revenue Operations, Wherewolf
During this session, we will be sharing of information and updates from three leading tourism organizations as it relates to tourism in Northern Ontario.
- Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
- Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario
- Destination Northern Ontario
Presented by: Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, David MacLachlan, Executive Director, Destination Northern Ontario and Laurie Marcil, Executive Director, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario
In this session you will learn:
- Corporate structures, and the advantages and disadvantages
- Bookkeeping and other considerations
- Quick update on government incentive programs
- Best practices for electronic waivers
Presented by: Mitchell Crown, CPA, CA – Senior Manager and Andrew Crupi, CPA, CA - Manager
The big question right now is….“What if?” in relation to COVID-19 and everything it impacts. We may not be able to get the answers, but we can start to plan for different scenarios. This workshop will look at:
- Planning for the unknown
- Options for consideration
- Customers in summer 2020
- Benchmarks and action plans
- Quickly shifting gears
Presented by: Eva Gutsche – Managing Director – STEM Consulting
As most Ontario communities and large parts of the tourism industry are struggling to understand the scope of the current health situation and to survive the foreseen economic crisis since March of this year, Francophone and bilingual stakeholders have been actively searching ways to mitigate, restart and reinvent our industry. Today's session will focus on 3 main objectives:
- Improving our global understanding of how the transformation of our world will impact the industry, especially Francophone operators, and which challenges still lay ahead;
- Modeling our strategies and solutions to meet short and medium terms' needs of our Francophone and bilingual members, clients and partners;
- Identifying opportunities to collaborate and involve all three Canadian cultures in the transformation of the Ontario visitor economy towards a more responsible and added-value sector
Presented by:
- Isabelle de Bruyn, M.Sc / B.A Hons, Gestionnaire en tourisme - Project Manager, Tourism – Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO)
- Monique Hébert-Bérubé, CAPM, Agente de développement économique – Economic Development Officer – Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO)
- Emmanuel Rey, MBA, Agent de développement économique - Economic Development Officer – Société Économique de l’Ontario (SÉO)
Presented by: Laurie Marcil, Executive Director, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario