Tradeshow Setup - Exhibitors can access the tradeshow area to set up their displays before the Opening Reception, until 4:00 pm. 

Please locate your designated table, identified by a tag displaying your business name.

Have questions? Contact Kate at kate@noto.net

Opening Reception Hosted by Tourism Sault Ste. Marie 
Now Boarding: An Evening of Food, Music & Networking!

Your next stop is the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre! Join us for an evening of great food, live music and networking as we take off for a memorable night with fellow tourism industry colleagues. Grab a bite, explore the market and enjoy the journey!

Enjoy an evening of live music, a variety of food options and remarks from Hon. Mike Harris, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources (MNR). Food offerings will include a poutine bar, Italian favourites, shawarma, coffee from Kasdan Co., donuts and more.

Visit the market and pick up a fun $5 Flight Delay Market Voucher to put toward your purchases! Vendors will also accept cash and card for any additional purchases.

Dress code: Airport comfy! Think cozy layers, your favourite travel outfit, headphones, eye masks, and anything else you need to travel in comfort.

Important times:

• 6:30 p.m. – Double-decker bus pickup at the Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre 
• 9:00 p.m. – Return transportation to the Quattro Hotel & Conference Centre begins

Northern Superior Brewing Co. and The Tap Room will remain open after the reception, so feel free to stay and keep the evening going!

Keynote Speaker - Dan Kelly, President, CEO and Chair of Canadian Federation of Independent Business

Dan Kelly serves as CFIB’s President and CEO and is the lead spokesperson and advocate for the views of the organization’s 103,000 members.

Dan has served on dozens of provincial and federal committees and task forces, and currently serves on the Finance Canada Payments Consultative Committee (FINPAY). In 2015, Dan was named one of the “Top 100 most powerful and influential people in government and politics” by Power & Influence Magazine, and is regularly featured on lists of Canada’s top lobbyists.

Unlocking NOHFC: How to Turn Your Tourism Idea into Funded Reality, Presented by Melanie Muncaster, Director of the Regional Economic Development in the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth

Northern Ontario has access to valuable funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), but many great tourism ideas never make it to the application stage. This session will explore how NOHFC can support tourism events, community infrastructure, and private tourism businesses, with practical examples to help bring ideas to life.

Presented by Melanie Muncaster, Director of Regional Economic Development at the Ministry of Northern Economic Development and Growth, and Liam McGill, Acting Executive Director of the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation 

From Chatbot to Coworker: Making AI Actually Earn Its Keep 

Choosing your platform, protecting your data, and putting AI to work in a Northern Ontario business.  

Presented by Mike Jacobs, CEO, The New Business

Feeling like you could use a sweet treat? Head over to the tradeshow floor and visit The Ice Cream Bar Co. to enjoy one of five delicious ice cream flavours, complete with all your favourite toppings!

Ice cream available until 2:30pm or sold out. 

Redefining Paths to Growth in Tourism Careers - Panel Discussion

Tourism offers hundreds of skilled, rewarding and well-compensated career pathways, yet outdated perceptions continue to create challenges for recruitment, retention and industry recognition. This session explores how we can change the narrative around tourism careers, increase awareness of opportunities, and strengthen workforce development across Northern Ontario.

Moderator and Panelists: Andrew Siegwart, President of Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO)

Panelists: Dr Jasveen Rattan, Director of Policy & Government Relations, Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association (ORHMA) to the stage and Lackeisha Currie, Labour Force Development Coordinator, Community Development &Enterprise Services, City of Sault Ste. Marie

Culinary and Agritourism Product Development in Action: Culinary Tourism Alliance, The Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario (FedNor) and Destination Northern Ontario

Join us at Northern Superior Brewing Co. and The Tap Room in Sault Ste. Marie on Wednesday, November 4th from 1:00-4:00pm for a hands-on look at what's driving culinary tourism forward in the region. Sample dishes and drinks from local chefs and producers while exploring the strategies behind their success, including building strong industry partnerships and creating value-added products, to extending the shoulder season and spotlighting the work of Indigenous chefs shaping the region's food identity.

Please note that portions of the event will take place outdoors. We recommend dressing accordingly for the weather.

Cost: $25 per person added to your full conference ticket. Pre-registration required.
Transportation: Bus pickup and drop-off at the Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre

Emergency Preparedness: Flood, Fire, Certifications 

Moderator: Gord Knowles, Senior Coordinator, Investment Attraction at Destination Northern Ontario 

Kerry Lamarche, Executive Director of Kivi Park

Kyle Polesky, Owner Operator of Nakina Wilderness Outfitters

Building Better Relationships: Tourism, Forestry & Resource Stewardship Agreements

This session will help us learn the basics of the Forest Management Planning process and how the resource-based tourism sector can participate through the Resource Stewardship Agreement process.

Presented by Josh Wilson, Senior Policy Advisor,Tourism Policy Unit within the Ministry of Tourism Culture and Gaming and Laurie Brownlee, Coordinator, Resource-Based Tourism, also from the Tourism Policy Unit within the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming

Georgian Bay Geopark: Building a World-Class Geotourism Destination

An invitation to help shape new signature visitor experiences around Georgian Bay and the North Channel

Discover how Georgian Bay’s geology, landscapes, Indigenous heritage, culture, and outdoor recreation can inspire new visitor experiences. This session will explore storytelling, partnerships, and opportunities for Northern Ontario tourism operators to help shape a future world-class Geopark destination.

Presented by Jeff MacInnis, Executive Director and Bryan Plumstead Georgian Bay GeoPark Tourism Team

ATS Cyber Security: What happened, How to resolve, How to protect.

Learn from the ATS cyber security incident, including what happened, how the issue was addressed, and practical steps businesses can take to strengthen cybersecurity, protect sensitive information, and prevent future threats.

Presented by Ian Grant, President & CEO, Algoma Technology Services (ATS)

Get Involved: WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program 

Join to learn how Ontario businesses can improve workplace health and safety through the WSIB Health and Safety Excellence Program and earn rebates for their efforts.

During this session, you will learn:

• How businesses can join the Health and Safety Excellence Program
• Key steps and requirements involved in the program journey
• The support, guidance, and resources available through WSPS and WSIB
• How rebates are calculated and awarded
• Gain recognition for your organization's commitment to health and safety excellence.
• Best practices for achieving success in the program

Presented by Jeff Pedlow, Manager of Programs and Services at Workplace Safety & Prevention Services (WSPS)

Tourism Roundtable Discussions

Connect with fellow tourism professionals to share experiences, discuss common challenges, and explore practical solutions. Participants will take part in topic-based table discussions covering key areas of tourism business operations, including point-of-sale systems, insurance, partnerships, risk management, safety, hiring practices, legal considerations, benchmarking, future planning, and reinvestment.

This panel discussion will include:

Greg Waites, Account Executive, BrokerLink
Chad O'Halloran, External Relations Manager, Parks Canada
Heather Bot, Executive Director, Algoma Country
Gord Knowles, Senior Coordinator, Investment Attraction, Destination Northern Ontario
Ryan Reynard, Executive Director, Lake of the Woods Business Incentive Corp.
Tanya Bedard, Executive Director, Tourism North Bay 

Access in Action: Programming, Partnerships, and Adaptive Design

Explore best practices for wayfinding and destination branding, including public and private funding opportunities, planning and implementation processes, visitor experience, community impact, and safety considerations.

Presented by Kerry Lamarche, Executive Director, Kivi Park 

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