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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS: ELEVATING ONTARIO EXPERIENCES
TIAO is seeking proposals from qualified firms to design and execute a series of one-on-one consultations and workshops that will provide Ontario tourism operators with customized strategies and tangible next steps to build tourism capacity in potential growth areas including winter/shoulder season development.
It is imperative that the sessions are tailored to these regions and take into consideration existing unique selling points and/or build on existing tourism offerings. Background research and stakeholder correspondence is required.
RFP #1: RTO1 - RTO11
The workshops will be offered throughout the entire province as represented by FedDev ON.
Click here to download the RFP for Regional Tourism Organizations 1 to 11.
RFP #2: RTO12 - RTO13
The workshops will be offered in RTO12 and RTO13 as recognized by MSTCI.
Click here to download the RFP for Regional Tourism Organizations 12 & 13.
ONTARIO GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES NEW LEGISLATION: STRONG MAYORS, BUILDING HOMES ACT
The Ontario Government has introduced new legislation that, if passed, would give the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa more responsibility to deliver on shared provincial-municipal priorities, including building 1.5 million new homes over the next 10 years.
The act, entitled, Strong Mayors, Building Homes Act, would allow the mayors of Toronto and Ottawa the ability to move priority projects forward and would help address the housing shortage. The proposed changes include:
- hiring the Chief Administrative Officer and municipal department heads, and create and re-organize departments
- appointing chairs/vice-chairs for identified committees and local boards, and establish new identified committees
- bringing matters for council consideration related to provincial priorities
- vetoing bylaws approved by council if they relate to matters of provincial priority
- proposing the municipal budget
These proposed measures would allow council to have the ability to propose amendments to the municipal budget. Council would also be able to override the mayor’s veto of any budget amendments and by-laws related to provincial priorities with a two-thirds majority vote.
If passed, the proposed changes are intended to take effect on November 15, 2022 — the start of the new municipal council term.
To view the full government press release, see here.
FORWARD MOTION: SMART SERVE RECERTIFICATION WEBINAR HIGHLIGHTS
This week, TIAO hosted a webinar on Smart Serve recertification with main speaker, Richard Anderson, Executive Director, Smart Serve Ontario, moderated by Caitlyn Drexler, TIAO’s Policy and Research Officer.
Richard discussed the recent changes to the Liquor Licence and Control Act, 2019 (LLCA), what content will be included in the Smart Serve recertification course, how testing will work, accommodations that can be made – including in-person training and testing, as well as when you need to complete recertification. Richard stated that any Smart Serve certifications issued before July 1, 2018, will expire on June 30, 2023 (including certificates issued prior to 1995 form the Server Intervention Program “SIP”).
The session was extremely insightful and to review any of the topics covered, you can watch the recording here.
TIAO thanks Richard for taking the time to review the changes and ensuring that employees and employers are kept up-to-date.
TIAO’s next Forward Motion session, 10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Business Accessible, is scheduled for August 23 at 2PM. The session will address how to make your business accessible, what considerations to make, as well as what it means to be accessible, and more. To register, please see here.
SUBMISSIONS CLOSE FOR 2022 ONTARIO TOURISM AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE IN LESS THAN 4 DAYS!
Nominations for the 2022 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence are open! Join us in recognizing our tourism industry partners exhibiting excellence.
The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence celebrate success and recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry.
The Tourism Champion of the Year Award is given to an individual who embodies the spirit of tourism in Ontario. This person should be directly involved with the industry (as an employee, business owner, volunteer, advocate, etc.) and be able to provide evidence of their contributions.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual that has made significant contributions to the development and promotion of Ontario’s tourism industry, while having established a visible, long-term record of accomplishment that merits special attention.
Winners will be announced in person at the 2022 Ontario Tourism Summit.
Click here to get started with the nomination process.
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS FOR 2022 ONTARIO TOURISM RESILIENCY AWARDS BEFORE SEPTEMBER 7!
Presented in partnership with TIAO, Attractions Ontario, Culinary Tourism Alliance, Indigenous Tourism Ontario and OTEC, these special awards have been designed to reflect resiliency and recognize the achievements of tourism businesses regardless of operating status.
Be sure to nominate outstanding tourism industry partners within each of the following three categories:
- Innovation
- Collaboration
- Sustainability
We invite you to consider outstanding initiatives of innovation, collaboration, and sustainability that tourism businesses undertook in 2021 and share these stories in the form of Tourism Resiliency Award nominations.
Winners will be announced in person at the 2022 Ontario Tourism Summit.
Click here to submit your nomination(s) today and join us in recognizing our tourism industry partners exhibiting excellence; because Resiliency is in our Tourism Industry's DNA 🧬
What does it mean to make a business accessible? How do you do it? Are the considerations for staff and patrons different or do they overlap? This workshop addresses all of these questions and more. Beginning with a very brief overview of the AODA and resources to support compliance, the workshop addresses accessibility throughout the hiring and employment process, as well as storefronts for customers, and communication in digital media (websites, documents, etc.).
Speakers:
Donald Guse Salah
Program Manager for the Discover Ability Network, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Donald Guse Salah is a Program Manager for the Discover Ability Network at the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, responsible for stakeholder relations with community partners, strategic partnership development and networking events. In his previous life, Donald was the program developer and supervisor of a supported employment program for job seekers with disabilities. He also founded and leads the Supported Employment Alliance, a collaborative network of supported employment programs operating across the Greater Toronto Area. Donald has appeared on TVO’s The Agenda, sits on the Program Advisory Committee for the Developmental Services Worker program at Humber College and maintains professional ties to Humber College through various partnerships.
Click here to learn more and register for the event!
GET YOUR TICKETS FOR THE 2022 ONTARIO TOURISM SUMMIT
Gather with industry colleagues and tourism leaders for two days at Deerhurst Resort to network, gain new insights, explore trending topics and celebrate excellence at the 2022 Ontario Tourism Summit.
Advance Rate ticket sales end in less than one month!
Click here to purchase your tickets for OTS22!
GOVERNMENT NEWS
Canada and Ontario Announce 50 Affordable Homes in Hamilton
Municipal Affairs and Housing
People who are experiencing homelessness, suffering from mental health and addictions, and urban Indigenous individuals will now have access to 50 safe affordable homes in Hamilton.
NEWS
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
FUNDING & GRANTS
LEADERSHIP
Central Counties Tourism Executive Director explains why tourism counts, how to create a desirable destination
scugogART
LABOUR & WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Georgian launches free credential program for tourism sector
BarrieToday
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