Supplied by Tourism Northern Ontario…
The Northern Ontario Tourism Summit, co-hosted by Tourism Northern Ontario (TNO) and Nature and Outdoor Tourism (NOTO), got underway at Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre on Monday, November 16th in Sault Ste. Marie.
Highlights of the event will include a presentation by the Honourable Minister Bill Mauro, an all-star lineup of keynote speakers, and two full days of workshop and training.
Over 300 participants are expected to take part in the summit, beginning Monday at the host hotel, Quattro Hotel and Conference Centre. Attendees with have an opportunity to tour the city before attending a welcome reception, sponsored by Lucidia Inc., at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre.
Tuesday, November 17th will include a full day of workshops and training, as well as presentations by keynote speakers including Olympic Gold Medalist Brad Jacobs and trends expert Max Valiquette. On Tuesday night, attendees are invited to NOTO’s annual “Fun”raiser featuring presentations by Minister Bill Mauro and Canadian comedian Big Daddy Tazz.
Workshops and sessions will continue into Tuesday and include keynote speakers Daniel Levine and a special presentation of the White Pine Pictures “Painted Land – In Search of the Group of Seven” with an introduction by Joanie McGuffin. TNO’s Gala Dinner will conclude ceremonies, featuring keynote speaker and best-selling author Robin Esrock, and the presentation of TNO’s President’s Award.
Tourism Northern Ontario is one of 13 not-for-profit regional tourism organizations funded by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. We are the largest tourism region in geography, the second largest in expenditure and the only region that includes sub-regions. Tourism Northern Ontario coordinates, aligns and invests in sub-regional programs and leads in identified pan-northern management functions; co-ordination of marketing, product development, workforce and industry training, and investment attraction with the ultimate goal to significantly increase tourism revenues in Northern Ontario. Increased visitation and yield are
achieved by delivering programs designed to enhance existing tourism products and developing new tourism opportunities for the North.
NOTO is the oldest advocacy and support services organization for resource-based tourism in Ontario. Since its inception in 1929, NOTO has been dedicated to proactive planning, development and promotion of a strong tourism industry in Ontario. The membership-based organization focuses on policy advocacy as well as on providing various programs that directly support tourism businesses. NOTO continues to work closely with Government agencies of all levels as well as other tourism organizations to ensure that the natural and working environment of the tourism industry enable growth as well as significant economic and social benefits to the province of Ontario. More information on NOTO’s history, mission and philosophy statements can be found at http://www.noto.ca/about_noto
For more information, go to www.northernontariotourismsummit.ca.