NOTS 2025

 

 

You don't want to miss it.

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Thunder Bay Waterfront

Working Together to Build Tourism in Northern Ontario

We are thrilled to announce that the 2025 Northern Ontario Tourism Summit will be held in Thunder Bay, ON. Stay tuned, as details will emerge soon.

REGISTER NOW!

 

 

 

 

Building on 80+ years of successful fall conferences for the outfitting sector, the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit was developed as a partnership event between Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario (NOTO) and Destination Northern Ontario (DNO) to bring together tourism businesses, organizations and suppliers as well as all levels of government at a single event to find solutions to challenges facing the industry. 

The agenda for this one-of-a-kind Northern Ontario tourism event includes training workshops, information sessions, and innovative problem-solving workshops, a range of speakers as well as numerous opportunities for networking, including a trade show of product and service providers to the tourism industry.


 

Agenda

The agenda committee is working on over 20 incredible sessions to bring you this year, covering a diverse and timely range of topics. Stay tuned for the full agenda, designed to inspire, inform, and empower every attendee. 

Some of our sessions and topics planned for this year include: 

01

International Marketing and Artificial Intelligence (AI)   

02

Building Authentic Partnerships with Indigenous Communities  

03

New and Emerging Visitor Market Trends   

04

Student Panel – Exploring the next generation of tourism employees   

05

First Impressions – A case study/panel on gateway signage, wayfinding, and attraction signage 

06

Nonprofit Networking or Capacity Building – Exploring governance, the Corporations Act, and organizational growth 

07

Arts and Culture - Celebrating creative sectors and their vital role in community identity and tourism   

08

Adapting for International Travel – Insights on tourism, global trends, and actionable data   

09

Winter and Shoulder Season Tourism Development Succession Planning – Strategies for Long-Term Organizational Sustainability   

10

Accessibility Guidelines in Ontario   

11

Blueprints for Resilience – Capacity Building and Succession Planning    

12

Transportation – Challenges and opportunities    

...and much more.  

 

Event Information

This is where you'll find everything you need to know about NOTS 2025. If you can't find what you're looking for, or if you have any questions, please contact us. Additional event information to come, be sure to check back for updates!

Contact Us

Ticket Prices for NOTS 2025
Full Conference$350.00 
Opening Reception Only$75.00 
Wednesday Day Pass (Excludes Gala)$150.00 
Gala and Presidents Award Dinner$100.00 
Thursday Day Pass (Event ends at 2:00pm)$100.00 
Porter Airlines

 

We are happy to share a 20% promo code for flights to Thunder Bay with Porter Airlines!

  • Promo Code: NSTB25 
  • Booking Deadline: October 30th, 2025 
  • Travel Dates: November 23–28, 2025
How to Use It:
  1. Visit flyporter.com.
  2. Enter the code NSTB25 in the Promo Code box when booking.
  3. Enjoy your discounted flight to Thunder Bay!

Don’t miss this opportunity to save. See you in Thunder Bay!

Thank you to Porter Airlines for their generous donation. 

This year's summit will take place at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay. 

Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre   

1 Valhalla Inn Road     
Thunder Bay, Ontario     
P7E 6J1

To receive the discounted rate,
please reference group #: 1316122

Toll Free: 1 (800) 964-1121   
Local: (807) 577-1121
Email reservations@valhallahotel.ca
 

Reserve Online: CLICK HERE
 

The room block will close on October 25, 2025. We strongly encourage you to book your room as early as possible. Once the block is full, the special rate will no longer be available. Guests booking outside of the block should expect to pay approximately $100 more per night.

Valhall Hotel & Conference Centre Logo

Valhalla Hotel

The President's and Gala Awards Dinner will take place on Wednesday, November 26th at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre at 6:00 pm. For more information, please get in touch with communications@destinationnorthernontario.ca.

Northern Ontario Tourism Industry Leader Awards – to learn more or submit your nominations, click here.
NOTO Industry Awards – to learn more or submit your nominations, click here.

Destinatio Northern Ontario's Tourism Industry Leader Awards celebrate the outstanding individuals, businesses, and organizations that are shaping the future of tourism in Ontario. These prestigious awards recognize those who demonstrate exceptional leadership, adopt best business practices, and deliver unforgettable tourism experiences that attract and inspire visitors from around the world.

This year, we are proud to introduce two new award categories that highlight the trailblazers and champions of Ontario’s tourism sector.

INDUSTRY LEADER – Innovation Excellence
This award recognizes an individual, business, or organization that has introduced a creative and forward-thinking idea, product, service, or technology that enhances the tourism experience in Northern Ontario. This award celebrates innovation that solves a problem, meets a new demand, or sets a new standard within the industry, demonstrating measurable impact and long-term potential for growth and replication.

INDUSTRY LEADER   Best Business Practices
This award recognizes a tourism leader or organization that exemplifies operational excellence through strategic planning, sound financial management, customer service, community engagement, and inclusive workplace culture. This award celebrates those who set a high benchmark for professionalism, sustainability, and long-term business success in Northern Ontario’s tourism sector.

For more information, please click here.

The NOTO Awards were created to recognize the incredible individuals who bring Ontario’s outdoor tourism industry to life. Each year, we honour members who have gone above and beyond by protecting our natural environment, enhancing tourism products, or taking the time to participate in meaningful ways to advance tourism across the province.

Take a moment to reflect:

  • Is there someone in your network who deserves the spotlight?
  • Have you done something you’re especially proud of this year?

Nominate them or yourself, and help us celebrate the passion, innovation, and dedication that drives our industry forward.

The NOTO Awards will be presented at the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit. Each person who is nominated will be notified by the NOTO.

Nominations close September 30th of each year.

For more information or to submit a nomiation, please click here.

01

What should I wear to the summit? Pack business casual attire. Evening events are casual. The President's and Gala Awards dinner is a black tie event. 

02

When does the room block close? The room block will close before November 2025. We strongly encourage you to book your room as early as possible. Once the block is full, the special rate will no longer be available. Guests booking outside of the block should expect to pay approximately $100 more per night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Ivan Joseph

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Ivan Joseph

Award-Winning Performance Coach  |  Leadership and Cultural Transformation Expert

An award-winning coach, prominent educator, and accomplished leader, Dr. Ivan Joseph has spent his career leading cultural transformation and building cohesive teams. His research has focused on understanding how self-confidence drives performance and now, as an internationally renowned speaker, he shares this knowledge to help leaders cultivate inclusive, high-performing workplace cultures. Dynamic and engaging, Joseph always leaves audiences with a memorable experience that adds value long after the presentation ends.

Learn more
Northern Ontario Tourism Summit
Tradeshow Exhibitors

Tradeshow Exhibitors

Interested in becoming an exhibitor at the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit? Contact Kate at kate@noto.net to learn more and get involved!

Become an Exhibitor
Visit Thunder Bay

While You're Here

Situated on the original meeting grounds of the Batchewana and Anishinabek people in the heart of the Great Lakes, Sault Ste. Marie has always been a place where people come to visit. For things to do and see while visiting Sault Ste. Marie, please visit the Tourism Sault Ste. Marie website.

Things to See and Do in Thunder Bay

 

Thank You to our Sponsors!

A big thank you to our 2025 Northern Ontario Tourism Summit sponsors.

 

 

Hear from past attendees!

“Thank you for all the hard work in pulling off another great event. We got so much out of it, and I heard so many people talking about the opportunities, learning, and incredible networking.”
— 2024 Northern Ontario Tourism Summit Attendee

 

 

See you in Thunder Bay!

 

Questions? Contact us at communications@destinationnorthernontario.ca.