Northern Ontario Tourism Summit Celebrates 10 years in North Bay this November
by Sara Currier | November 8, 2024
Destination Northern Ontario, in partnership with Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario and Tourism North Bay, is pleased to host the 10th annual Northern Ontario Tourism Summit November 19-21 in North Bay, Ontario.
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 and Destination Northern Ontario 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.
What to Expect at the Summit
This year’s summit promises a lineup packed with inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and engaging panel discussions including a renowned evolutionary biologist, award-winning television presenter, and bestselling author, Dan Riskin. Attendees can expect to hear from industry leaders, local business owners, and tourism experts who will share insights on marketing trends, best practices, and innovative strategies to boost tourism in the North. In addition, there are numerous opportunities for networking including a sold-out tradeshow of product and service providers to the tourism industry.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome leaders, innovators and passionate individuals to North Bay to celebrate the 10th annual Northern Ontario Tourism Summit. This is a fantastic opportunity for us to gather, share our visions and ignite new ideas in a region renowned for its natural beauty and warm hospitality,” said Tanya Bédard, Executive Director, Tourism North Bay “I can’t wait to see the incredible conversations and collaborations that will emerge as we work together to elevate the tourism industry to new heights”.
We are excited to announce that we will be hosting the opening reception at the Canadore Sports Dome, a venue that promises to provide a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for attendees. The 85,000-square-foot dome caters to a multitude of sports dry land training and sports conditioning. Attendees can indulge in some delicious locally sourced appetizers and cold refreshments to kick off the first day of a great summit.
“Bringing tourism businesses and organizations together through one annual event has been such a beneficial project for us. The number of partnerships and collaborations that have been forged through the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit over the years has played such a critical role in enhancing the products and strength of our tourism industry in the North,” said Laurie Marcil, Executive Director, Nature and Outdoor Tourism Ontario “Seeing the industry come together to learn and share speaks to the passion of the people in this sector”.
The event will close with the Gala Awards dinner that recognizes excellence in the province's tourism industry. Recipients of the awards provide outstanding leadership, exemplify best business practices and deliver tourism experiences that contribute to the success of Ontario's tourism industry, which generates over $36 billion in economic activity and supporting more than 400,000 jobs.
A Decade of Growth and Innovation
Reflecting on ten years of the summit, it's amazing to see how far the Northern Ontario tourism industry has come. There is great promise in Northern Ontario. The momentum we have created together will lead to our industry's growth, prosperity and sustainability.
"We are thrilled to host the 10th annual Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in North Bay, this fall, bringing together industry leaders, innovators, and tourism operators under one roof. This event not only commemorates a decade of achievements and collaboration in our tourism sector but highlights the successes we've shared over the years and looks forward to the opportunities that lie ahead,” said David MacLachlan, Executive Director, Destination Northern Ontario "We are grateful for our host Tourism North Bay as well as our sponsors for their generous support, which allows us to recognize and appreciate the remarkable efforts within the tourism industry."
This year’s theme focuses on working together to build quality tourism experiences. It highlights key areas such as adapting to changing traveler preferences, implementing low-budget marketing strategies, and accessibility requirements.
Join the Celebration
Come celebrate a decade of achievements and look ahead to an exciting future for tourism in Northern Ontario. Don’t miss the chance to connect and learn, secure your ticket today!
Register at https://northernontariotourismsummit.ca/ or contact communications@destinationnorthernontario.ca for more information.