Mentorships ● Grants ● Community

Presented by

In Collaboration with

CARIBOO CHILCOTIN COAST
​
​“SPARK" MENTORSHIPS & GRANTS PROGRAM

​Do you have a new innovative tourism idea for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast?
If so, we want to hear from you!

Whether you are an individual, a start-up or an established small business or non-profit organization, there can be many challenges and barriers to bringing a new tourism idea, experience or partnership to fruition. 

​We want to help. The “Spark" Program will match selected candidates with a tourism mentor and provide a source of financial support to help take your great new tourism idea to the next level of development or implementation.

Our goal is to inspire Cariboo Chilcotin Coast residents, entrepreneurs, small businesses, non-profit organizations and community groups to come forward with creative ideas that will generate new tourism opportunities, offerings, experiences and partnerships in the area.

The program includes:

• Call out for applications from individuals, small businesses, non-profits and community groups from the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
• Application reviews by a jury including local and provincial tourism leaders, entrepreneurs and innovators
• Finalists' Pitch Session (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den):  
  • ​Save the date: April 5, 2023 @ 1:00-3:30pm PST
• Selection of 3 winning applicants

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader, accessibility and/or sector expert
• $3,000 “Spark" grant to support the development of accessible tourism ideas and activities
• Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders
• ​Ongoing guidance on other resources and support services provided by partners

​
All program applicants will be invited to join our “Spark" community of tourism innovators, idea makers, partners and supporters for special networking events, one-on-one's, and development workshops.​

​APPLICATION DEADLINE IS MARCH 16, 2023
Register for an upcoming Info Session below
​

See our 2022 Cariboo Chilcotin Coast "Spark" Program Winners here.

Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark" Application Guide

Who Can Apply?

• Individuals 18+ who live/work in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast (refer to map below)
• Small businesses (new or existing), with up to 10 full-time year-round employees based in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast
• Small non-profit organizations (with up to 10 full-time year-round employees) and community groups based in the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast

​What Are We Looking For?
New tourism ideas for the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast that would address one or more of the following:

• Enhance current tourism offerings
• Create high-quality, low impact tourism experiences
• Address gaps in tourism products and services
• Motivate longer stays and repeat visits
• Increase shoulder season visits and tourism spending

* Tourism ideas must be based in and benefit the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast.
​​
What Is A “Tourism” Idea?
Experiences, products and partnerships that motivate travel to your area by people living more than 40km away, across the provincial border or internationally, and provide engagement, participation, purchasing and/or travel related opportunities while they are visiting. 

What Do We Mean by “New"?
Tourism experiences, products, businesses and partnerships that are in the ideation stage, have just been created, are under development, or have been promoted/offered publicly for 6 months or less.

Other Tourism Definitions and Examples
Experiences: Opportunities for visitors to engage, participate, interact, learn and explore an area to get a local understanding and broader awareness of a destination, often combining different elements (eg. farmers market tour followed by a culinary class led by a local chef)     
Products: Buyable goods and services related to tourism in the area (eg. accommodations, attractions, tours, ticketed events, travel packages and other tourism bundles)
Collaborative Partnerships: Two or more businesses/organizations working together to promote and/or deliver a new tourism related experience or product (eg. Metro Zoo + Cycling Group = “Jungle Ride” event)

“Spark" Program Application

How to Apply?
There are 3 steps to applying to the "Spark" Program (additional information provided below):
​STEP 1. Written application (1000 word maximum)
STEP 2. Short video (1 minute maximum)
STEP 3. Email both to submit your application

STEP 1. Written Application

​Download the application form below and provide a response to each of the following 8 questions, keeping the full document under 1000 words or less:

1. Contact information (name, phone number, email, business/organization name, website)
2. Tell us about yourself, your small business or non-profit organization.
3. What’s your new tourism idea?
4. How is your idea innovative or unique?
5. What stage are you at with your idea?
6. Who are your target market(s) and/or partner(s)?
7. How would you utilize the “Spark” mentorship and grant funds if selected?
8. What are your hoped for outcomes and impacts?

download application form

STEP 2. Short Video
In addition to the application document, please include a file or link to a short (1 minute maximum) unedited, unproduced video introducing yourself, your small business, or non-profit organization, and your new tourism idea. For example, use your smart phone to take the video, and then upload it to a file sharing service (eg. Dropbox, Google Docs, WeTransfer) or a publicly accessible video sharing website such as YouTube (if you don’t want other people to find it, mark it as unlisted) and include the file or link in your email with your application document.

STEP 3. Submit Your Application
Please submit your application and video file to apply@tourisminnovation.ca by March 16, 2023 at 11:59pm PST and include “Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark" Application" in the subject line.

IMPORTANT: Both the document (1,000 word maximum) and video (1 minute maximum) are required for a complete application submission. Incomplete applications or applications that are above the maximum word/time limits will not be reviewed. ​​

Emails will be sent to confirm receipt of all applications. If you do not receive a confirmation email, send another email or call 1-844-455-0325 ext. 2 to make sure we received your application. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed.

Your Application and Personal Information
By submitting an application, you agree that all of the information contained in your application is complete and accurate. You also consent that the Tourism Innovation Lab and its partners may collect the personal information contained herein within the application review process and for future program related communications. Your application will be kept confidential during the review period. All review jury and judge panel decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Info Sessions / Webinars

Interested in applying to the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast “Spark" Program? Register for an upcoming info session (webinar) to learn more:

• Info Session #1: February 22, 11:30am-12:00pm PST - REGISTER
• Info Session #2: March 9, 4:00pm-4:30pm PST - REGISTER​

​Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab

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Western Canada Home Base

Tourism Innovation Lab
c/o The Common
38016 Cleveland Ave, Squamish, BC V8B 0A1
info@tourisminnovation.ca
1-844-455-0325 x 2 (toll-free)

We respectfully acknowledge that our home base in Squamish sits on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples: Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh and Musqueam First Nations. We will honour that by collaborating with Indigenous-led organizations and businesses to support the advancement of Indigenous tourism in the region and across Canada.

Central Canada Home Base

Tourism Innovation Lab
c/o University of Windsor - EPICentre
​2455 Wyandotte St W, Windsor, ON N9B 3B3
​​​info@tourisminnovation.ca
1-844-455-0325 x 1 (toll-free)

We respectfully acknowledge that our home base in Windsor sits on the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, which is comprised of the Ojibwa, the Odawa, and the Potawatomi Peoples. We will honour that by collaborating with Indigenous-led organizations and businesses to support the advancement of Indigenous tourism in the region and across Canada.