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.
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.
Check back for updates!
Tuesday November 25th
| Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00pm | Opening Reception + Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario Fun Night | TBA |
Wednesday November 26th
| Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30am | Breakfast Sponsored by Nuclear Waste Management Organization | TBA |
| 8:00am | Land Acknowledgement and Opening Remarks | Main Ballroom |
| 8:10am | Welcome from Destination Northern Ontario | Main Ballroom |
| 8:15am | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| 8:20am | International Marketing Presented by Destination Ontario | Main Ballroom |
| 9:00am | Remarks from Eric Melillo - Member of Parliament for Kenora-Kiiwetinoong | Main Ballroom |
| 9:15am | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| 9:30am | Keynote Speaker - Dr. Ivan Joseph Award Winning Performance Coach | Leadership and Cultural Transformation Expert | Main Ballroom |
| 10:27am | A message from our Diamond Sponsor - Superior Country's Executive Director, Dan Bevilacqua | Main Ballroom |
| 10:30am | Coffee Break - Sponsor - Superior Country | TBA |
| 11:00am | Maximizing Tourism Funding: Strategies, Eligibility & Best Practices | Main Ballroom |
| TBA | Viking | |
| TBA | Odin | |
| 12:00pm | Walking Lunch - Sponsored by TBA | TBA |
| 1:00pm | Update on MNR’s Moose Research in WMU 13 | Main Ballroom |
| Northwest Ontario (Round 3) "Spark" Finalists Pitch Session (2-3:30PM) | Viking | |
| TBA | Odin | |
| 2:00pm | Reinvesting in Your Biz Panel Discussion | Main Ballroom |
| Northwest Ontario (Round 3) "Spark" Finalists Pitch Session (2-3:30PM) | Viking | |
| Prioritizing Your Mental Health: Practical Strategies for Everyday Wellbeing (this is a 45 minute session that will go over the break) | Odin | |
| 2:30pm | Driftscape Tour - OFF SITE | Off Site |
| 3:00pm | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| Northwest Ontario (Round 3) "Spark" Finalists Pitch Session (2-3:30PM) | Viking | |
| TBA | Odin | |
| 3:30pm | Main Ballroom CLOSED beginning at 3:30pm | Main Ballroom |
| TBA | Viking | |
| TBA | Odin | |
| 6:00pm | Reception & Hors d'oeuvres Sponsored by The New Business | Main Ballroom |
| 6:30pm | Presidents and Gala Awards Dinner at the Valhalla Hotel and Conference Centre | Main Ballroom |
Please check back for updates.
Thursday November 27th
| Time | Description | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30am | Breakfast Sponsored by Nuclear Waste Management Organization | TBA |
| 8:00am | Opening Remarks | Main Ballroom |
| 8:05am | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| 8:20am | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| 8:50am | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| 9:00am | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| 9:30am | From Collapse to Comeback: The Courage to Rebuild What Matters Presented by Lisa MacLeod | Main Ballroom |
| 10:30am | Coffee Break - Sponsored By TBA | TBA |
| 11:00am | Exploring Tourism Careers: A Student Perspective - Panel Discussion with Student from Lakehead University | Main Ballroom |
| 12:00pm | Lunch Sponsored by TBA | |
| 1:00pm | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| Superior Country's Annual General Meeting | Viking | |
| TBA | Odin | |
| 2:00pm | TBA | Main Ballroom |
| TBA | Viking | |
| TBA | Odin - | |
| 2:30pm | Coffee Break Sponsored by TBA | TBA |
| Thanks to our amazing friends at Porter Airlines, we’re giving away a very special donated prize during the event! You MUST be present in the tradeshow floor to win.🎉 |
Please check back for updates.
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!
Ticket Pricing
| 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 | |
Save On Travel With 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: |
Don’t miss this opportunity to save. See you in Thunder Bay! Thank you to Porter Airlines for their generous donation. |
Accommodations
This year's summit will take place at the Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre in Thunder Bay.
| Valhalla Hotel & Conference Centre | |
|---|---|
1 Valhalla Inn Road To receive the discounted rate, | Toll Free: 1 (800) 964-1121 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.
Presidents & Gala Awards Dinner
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.
Northern Ontario Tourism Industry Leader Awards
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.
NOTO Industry Awards
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.
FAQ
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. |
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.
Sponsorship
Interested in sponsoring the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit? Contact us to learn more and get involved!
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!
While You're Here
In Thunder Bay, dining is an adventure. Whether you’re savouring a gourmet meal while watching the sunset over Lake Superior or enjoying Indigenous cuisine by a roaring fire, Thunder Bay invites you to play hard and reward yourself – experience the intersection of the culinary and natural worlds in every delectable bite.
Thank You to our Sponsors!
A big thank you to our 2025 Northern Ontario Tourism Summit sponsors.
Diamond Sponsors
Ruby Sponsors
Emerald Sponsors
Sapphire
Tradeshow Exhibitors
2025 Exhibitors List
Explore our diverse range of industry exhibitors showcasing innovative solutions and products at this year’s summit.
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
