Staff
In a joint-effort to boost tourist efforts across the region, tourism associations in Sunset Country are coming together to organize a marketing forum for members of the public.
Entitled “Working Together, Succeeding Together-A Marketing Forum for Tourism in Sunset Country,” the forum is being organized by the North Western Ontario Tourism Association (NWOTA) and Kenora District Camp Owners Association (KDCA), in partnership with Sunset County Travel Association and Patricia Region Tourist Council, and is set to run from Sept. 22-23 at the Best Western in Dryden.
“For the first time, all four tourism associations in Sunset Country recognize that by working together they are able to bring a wealth of time, talent, ideas and finances to a single focal point and move forward with meaning and intention,” said Harald Lohn, co-chair of the KDCS/NWOTA.
“We would like to make this the most productive gathering of tourism businesses ever in our area,” added Jerry Fisher, co-chair of KDCA/NWOTA, noting that the KDCA/NWOTA are also aiming to use the forum as a tool to communicate with the government about the needs of our region.
The forum is aiming to be valuable to anyone involved with tourism—from resource-based tourism operators, hotel and motel owners and managers, tourist attractions managers, representatives, community leaders, and government employees- by giving delegates the opportunity to work together in attracting customers, improve their services, create dependable income in the industry and generate spinoff jobs for the region
Speakers for the event include Berkely Young, Dan Lennon and John Hope-Johnstone.
Berkely will be speaking to attendees on travel trends in a changing economy, showing branding examples that work and ones that should be avoided, and maximizing visitor spending.
Lennon, a brother to the singing Lennon Sisters, will share his story of Building the Branson Brand. Meanwhile, John Hope Johnstone, author of “How to Market Tourism in the 21st Century,” will teach delegates how to capitalize on social media potential.
Alongside speakers, the forum will include breakout sessions facilitated by Patricia Forrest, a marketing and communications professional from Kakabeka Falls, Ontario. These sessions are meant to help attendees “establish tourism product priorities” as well as “build regional tourism marketing success.”
One-on-one coaching by marketing experts on a “first come, first serve” basis.
“The knowledge gained during this forum will certainly assist us in moving forward with the marketing of individual businesses and destinations as well as the larger destination of Sunset Country,” noted Mike Loewen, executive director for Patricia Regional Tourist Council. “There is strength in numbers!”
“It is time to look away from the government as a source of sporadic funding or stale ideas and begin the slow, steady process of self-reliance and self-determination with steely focus,” added Lohn.
“Our region has always demonstrated a strong local and regional marketing effort-we look after ourselves well,” echoed Gerry Cariou, executive director of Sunset Country Travel Association.
“Getting together to discuss tourism marketing is something we need to do,” he added, stressing this forum is the ideal way to do this. “We can help ourselves—we just need to get together and talk about the issues—so let’s do it!”
For more information on the forum and to register, visit: www.togetherfortourism.ca
Those unable to attend the forum, but who would like to offer input can do so by visiting the website and filling out the pre-event survey.
