As the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sport looks to develop a new Ontario Tourism Strategy, they are first gathering feedback from visitors, students, and industry stakeholders in Ontario. Providing your feedback in the form of a short survey will help the Ministry ensure the tourism sector continues to grow and thrive.
The Tourism Operator/Industry Stakeholder survey is open to individuals who own a tourism business, support tourism businesses (e.g., Chamber of Commerce, BIAs) or are engaged within the tourism sector (e.g. worker, municipality, or association).
Your feedback will help to shape the following focus areas:
embrace a visitor-first approach
improve the business climate
improve sector alignment
provincial interests and role in tourism
support business and community development
The survey deadline is February 28, 2019. To learn more and to take the survey, please click here.
Organizing a Festival, Event, or Tourism Workshop?
The New Year presents an opportunity to learn, grow, and improve, and we are here to help you achieve your goals. If you are organizing a festival or event, or a tourism-related workshop, read on to find out about two exciting opportunities for support.
Click here to read more from Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization's latest email.
Click here to view onTrac's January 2019 calendar, detailing various job-related workshops taking place in January, such as the Resume & Cover Letter Drop-in Clinic and Health and Safety Training.
Click here to read the latest issue of the Chamber of Commerce newsletter!
In this issue:
Message from Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
The Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors would like to express their sincere thank you for your continued support of your Chamber. Your support through membership, participation and sponsorship, makes a real difference in maintaining and enhancing the local business environment. We wish you, your families and friends a very Merry Christmas and a successful New Year.
Click here to read the latest issue of the Chamber of Commerce newsletter!
In this issue:
Local Business Spotlight: ontrac Employment Resource Services
ontrac Employment Resource Services is thrilled to be a part of the Renfrew community, recently opening our doors in April 2018! As part of the Employment Ontario network, ontrac provides FREE employment services to both employers and job seekers. ontrac has 3 office locations - Arnprior (since 2000), Smiths Falls (since 2002), and Renfrew (since 2018). Each office contains a fully equipped resource centre which includes computers with internet access, photocopiers, fax machines, job boards, newspapers, career-search resources and materials, community resources, and professional staff to provide assistance and support.
Click here to read the latest issue of the Chamber of Commerce newsletter!
In this issue:
Chamber Member Spotlight: Megram
Megram (Megram Consulting Services Ltd.) was established 17 years ago and is one of the oldest association management companies in Canada providing management and specialized administrative services to professional and trade associations.. Megram serves as the associations’ headquarters, managing day-to-day operations and acting as the public face of the organization. Many non-profits do not wish to carry the expense overheads of office space and staff. Megram uses economies of scale to provide professional, bilingual services across a broad spectrum of clients.
Online registration for OH!Tourism Summit 2018 closes at the end of the day on Tuesday, October 23 – that’s less than one week away! Our 8th annual tourism conference and AGM is being hosted in partnership with #MyHaliburtonHighlands at Bark Lake Leadership and Conference Centre on October 29. This is a chance to network with industry peers, take a closer look at the power of referrals as your most powerful marketing tool, learn how you can offer impactful experiences that will turn visitors into fans, and explore more ways we can continue to work together to inspire visitors to Come Wander Ontario’s Highlands.
We'll be exploring the theme Rave Reviews: How Cultivating a Destination Experience Mindset Can Amplify Your Most Powerful Marketing Tool and registration this year is just $45+HST. Click here to see what is included.
In this Issue:
OHTO News
Calling All Passionate Visionaries: Apply to OHTO's Board of Directors Today!
Finding Yourself and Sharing Your Story
Wandering Badges Now Available
Small Towns with Big Foodie Appeal
Dairy Distillery Garnering Attention
Narcity's Breathtaking Spots 2 Hours From Ottawa
Opportunities
Industry Updates
Indigenous Tourism Survey and Workshops
Congratulations to Ontario Parks' Jeff Brown
#MyHaliburtonHighlands Newsletter Revamped
WorkInCulture Survey
You're Invited to the Hastings County Tourism Awards
Click here to view OHTO's October 2018 newsletter with news, industry tips and exclusive opportunities!
Every year around this time, we highlight the Top 10 Reasons to Attend the OH!Tourism Summit (think: networking, learning from industry experts, working together to grow tourism, maximizing your marketing dollars, creating quality experiences, and more).
This year, we wanted to do things a little differently. We know that what truly makes our region stand out from other destinations are the friendly faces and warm hospitality found throughout our communities - the people who make you, and visitors to Ontario's Highlands, feel at home. The faces of our communities are what make our destination truly remarkable.
So for our Top 10 Reasons to Attend #OHSUM2018 we would like to introduce you to the incredible, passionate stakeholders from across Ontario's Highlands who will be guiding afternoon Fireside Chats on 10 key topics, and are just some of the amazing connections you could make by registering to attend OH!Tourism Summit 2018.
We know the people above will bring their passion for tourism in Ontario's Highlands to help inspire conversation and learning, yet we seem to be missing someone who could make it even better:
YOU!
Bring your ideas, challenges, and stories to join in the discussions October 29, 2018.
Registration is only $45 +HST and includes:
Admission, lunch, snacks and refreshments during conference.
A keynote address exploring the power of word of mouth marketing and how to leverage referrals and your visitors to grow your business
More opportunities than ever to connect with industry peers, build potential partnerships, and share best practices
The chance to do something you love or try something new (click here for a detailed schedule)
Door prizes and giveaways including a grand prize draw for Google Wifi – an advanced and enhanced router created by Google to make your wifi signal stronger
Join Tourism Movers and Shakers from Across Ontario's Highlands at OH!Tourism Summit 2018!
And finally, the big question:
1. Learn to Market Through People Instead of To People
It's no secret that today's tourism industry is competitive and consumers have a vast amount of information about each destination available at their fingertips. In order to catch attention and remain top of mind, destinations need to connect with individuals’ interests in an authentic way and offer quality experiences that cause visitors to share their remarkable stories fostering greater word of mouth referrals – ultimately our most powerful marketing tool. Together at this year's OH!Tourism Summit, we’ll explore more about the pillars of building a successful destination and dive into OHTO’s new approach to working with industry to enhance visitor experiences. Join us for a day of exploration, innovation, networking, and collaboration and walk away with tactics that will help you increase the buzz about your business or community and attract visitors in new ways.
2. Grow Your Network
Not only will networking opportunities be woven throughout the day's program, which we can't wait to share more info on soon, but the collaboration and discussion will continue during a social evening at The Dominion Hotel in Minden. Taking on a casual yet funky 'coffee house' vibe, attendees will get to listen to local talent take the stage to share original and cover songs exploring the ups, downs, and humourous moments of life. Grab a bite and a drink while you carry on conversations, meet new friends, and take some time to unwind after a full day of conferencing. Whether you’re hitting the road and heading home or staying overnight, stick around for this evening event to sway to the sounds of live music, and network in a relaxed setting.
3. Embrace the Beauty of Camp
Did you ever go to camp as a kid? Maybe you came home with new archery skills, having paddled your first kayak, with new experiments to demonstrate to your friends, or with artwork to decorate your bedroom walls. No matter the theme of your camp experience, chances are you came back having tried something new or developed your skills. The beauty of camp is growing without even realizing it - of learning in a fun environment. With the incredible setting of Bark Lake Leadership and Conference Centre providing us the chance to get closer to nature and experience a different type of classroom, that's exactly what we'll be doing: learning and growing together. Step out of the ordinary conference setting and into the woods with a program designed to let you choose your own adventure and embrace your inner wanderer to experience well-loved or new camp activities. Explore top tourism topics, dream, plan, and connect with tourism colleagues in a setting that sparks creativity.
Registration for #OHSUM2018 is available for just $45 +HST and includes:
Admission, lunch, snacks and refreshments during conference.
A keynote address exploring the power of word of mouth marketing and how to leverage referrals and your visitors to grow your business
More opportunities than ever to connect with industry peers, build potential partnerships, and share best practices
The chance to do something you love or try something new (click here for a detailed schedule)
Door prizes and giveaways including a grand prize draw for Google Wifi – an advanced and enhanced router created by Google to make your wifi signal stronger
Are you “New” to the Renfrew Area, or do you know of someone who is?
The Renfrew & Area Chamber of Commerce is holding their Annual Newcomers’ Night at the Royal Canadian Legion, 30 Raglan St., Renfrew
All residents who are new or returning to the Renfrew Area are encouraged to come out: Wednesday November 14, 2018 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
The evening will showcase local merchants, restaurants and services available in Renfrew and the surrounding area. Come and be impressed by all the Renfrew Area has to offer!
Registration is FREE!
To register or for further information, please contact the office on
or before November 12, 2018 at 613-432-7015 or
Email: info@renfrewareachamber.ca
Please be advised that the Highway 60 (Raglan Street South/ Veterans Memorial Boulevard)/ Hall Avenue/ County Road 52 intersection will be closed to all traffic starting Monday, September 24th, 2018 until October 5th, 2018.
A Detour will be in effect for Highway 60 via Gillan Road, Hall Avenue and Plaunt Street. A Detour for County Road 52 will be in effect via Airth Boulevard, Opeongo Road, Bonnechere Street South and Renfrew Avenue West.
Concrete Sidewalk
Concrete sidewalks are completed on Bridge Street, Raglan Street North and Raglan Street South from Munroe Avenue to Renfrew Avenue West
Bonnechere Excavating Inc. (BEI)'s subcontractor will be returning October 2nd to complete sidewalks on Raglan Street South from Renfrew Avenue West to Hall Avenue.
Asphalt
Top lift of asphalt is scheduled for September 28th and 29th for Bridge Street, Raglan Street North and Raglan Street South from Munroe Avenue to Duke Street.
Base lift asphalt is tentative scheduled over the next two weeks weather depending, for Raglan Street South from Duke Street to Renfrew Avenue West.
If you have any concerns related to the project or require special accessibility accommodations, please let us know by contacting the project manager noted below. The Town of Renfrew would like to thank you with your patience and cooperation with this important construction project.
Lane Cleroux
Project Manager
Town of Renfrew
Phone: (613) 432-8166
Email: lcleroux@renfrew.ca
Join us for a family friendly 5Km walk in support of kidney disease. Walk for someone you love at the Kidney Walk and become part of Canada’s largest community event dedicated to raising funds for kidney research and programs that help support Canadians living with kidney disease.
The Kidney Walk is a great way for families, friends and colleagues to come together to show support for the 1 in 10 Canadians living with kidney disease. It’s where the kidney community gathers to show their unwavering commitment to kidney health and improved lives for all people touched by kidney disease.
Raise $100 or more and receive a Kidney Walk t-shirt
Raise $1000 or more and become a Kidney Walk Champion
Every step is a giant leap forward in the fight against kidney disease!
