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Do you have a new tourism idea for Haldimand County?
If so, we want to hear from you!
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 seed funds to help take their new tourism idea to the next level of development.
Our goal is to inspire entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in Haldimand County to come forward with creative ideas that will generate new tourism opportunities, offerings, experiences and partnerships in the region.
The program includes:
Selected applicants will receive:
We want to help. The "Spark" Program will match selected candidates with a tourism mentor and provide seed funds to help take their new tourism idea to the next level of development.
Our goal is to inspire entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations based in Haldimand County to come forward with creative ideas that will generate new tourism opportunities, offerings, experiences and partnerships in the region.
The program includes:
- Call out for applications from individuals, small businesses, non-profits and community groups
- Application reviews by a jury including local and provincial tourism leaders and innovators
- Finalists' Pitch Sessions (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den):
- Save the Date: Tuesday, December 12 @ 4:00-6:15pm (virtual)
- Selection of 3 winning applicants
Selected applicants will receive:
- 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert
- $3,000 in seed funds to support tourism idea development activities
- Access to a support network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs and leaders
- Ongoing guidance on other resources and support services provided by partners
Haldimand County “Spark" Application Guide
Who Can Apply?
- Interested entrepreneurs, small businesses or non-profit organizations from outside Haldimand County are encouraged to partner/collaborate with one that is eligible based in Haldimand County (i.e. who would be the lead applicant).
- Past Haldimand County “Spark” winners are not eligible.
- Individuals 18+ who live in Haldimand County
- Small businesses based in Haldimand County (new or existing, up to 10 full time year-round employees)
- Small non-profit organizations and community groups (up to 10 full time year-round employees)
- Interested entrepreneurs, small businesses or non-profit organizations from outside Haldimand County are encouraged to partner/collaborate with one that is eligible based in Haldimand County (i.e. who would be the lead applicant).
- Past Haldimand County “Spark” winners are not eligible.
What Are We Looking For?
We are looking for new tourism ideas for Haldimand County that address one or more of the following:
Tourism ideas must be based in and benefit Haldimand County. While there are no specific categories, we are especially interested in new tourism ideas that connect with agritourism, culinary, cycling, Grand River and waterfront activation, and the winter season.
What Is A Tourism Idea?
Experiences, products and partnerships that motivate travel to and in your region by people living more than 40km away, across the 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 in a region 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 region (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)
Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. - World Tourism Organization
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Diversity is about our many differences - like skin colour, culture, sexual orientation, family status, ability, etc. Inclusion is a feeling, and comes from actively creating a space where we feel like we are welcome, safe, and that we belong. Equity is about recognizing that our diversity means we all have different needs, and creating experiences with this in mind - so everyone can participate and have access, and feel that sense of inclusion, safety, and belonging when they do. Our goal is for the tourism sector to better reflect diversity, equity and inclusion in terms of who designs experiences, and who enjoys them. - Annemarie Shrouder, DEI Advisor
We are looking for new tourism ideas for Haldimand County that address one or more of the following:
- Enhance current tourism offerings
- Create new, high-quality tourism experiences
- Address gaps in tourism products and services
- Motivate travel, longer stays and repeat visits
- Increase year-round visitation and tourism spending
Tourism ideas must be based in and benefit Haldimand County. While there are no specific categories, we are especially interested in new tourism ideas that connect with agritourism, culinary, cycling, Grand River and waterfront activation, and the winter season.
What Is A Tourism Idea?
Experiences, products and partnerships that motivate travel to and in your region by people living more than 40km away, across the 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 in a region 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 region (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)
Sustainable Tourism: Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities. - World Tourism Organization
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Diversity is about our many differences - like skin colour, culture, sexual orientation, family status, ability, etc. Inclusion is a feeling, and comes from actively creating a space where we feel like we are welcome, safe, and that we belong. Equity is about recognizing that our diversity means we all have different needs, and creating experiences with this in mind - so everyone can participate and have access, and feel that sense of inclusion, safety, and belonging when they do. Our goal is for the tourism sector to better reflect diversity, equity and inclusion in terms of who designs experiences, and who enjoys them. - Annemarie Shrouder, DEI Advisor
“Spark" Program Application
How to Apply?
There are 2 steps to applying to the "Spark" Program:
STEP 1. Complete the online application form
STEP 2. Record and upload a short video (1 minute maximum)
STEP 1. Online Application
The online application form will ask you the following 10 questions. Please submit your answers using the link below. We recommend you draft your responses first in a Word document, and then copy and paste your final answers into the online form.
1. Contact information.
2. Tell us about yourself, your small business or organization.
3a. New tourism idea project title.
3b. Describe 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 does your idea advance sustainability efforts in the region?
8. How does your idea support diversity, equity and inclusion?
9. How would you utilize the “Spark” mentorship, seed funds and partner support if selected?
10. What are your desired outcomes and impacts?
STEP 2: Short Video
In addition to providing responses to the application form questions, please record and upload a file or link to a 1 minute maximum unedited, unproduced video introducing yourself, your small business, non-profit organization or community group.
There are 2 steps to applying to the "Spark" Program:
STEP 1. Complete the online application form
STEP 2. Record and upload a short video (1 minute maximum)
STEP 1. Online Application
The online application form will ask you the following 10 questions. Please submit your answers using the link below. We recommend you draft your responses first in a Word document, and then copy and paste your final answers into the online form.
1. Contact information.
2. Tell us about yourself, your small business or organization.
3a. New tourism idea project title.
3b. Describe 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 does your idea advance sustainability efforts in the region?
8. How does your idea support diversity, equity and inclusion?
9. How would you utilize the “Spark” mentorship, seed funds and partner support if selected?
10. What are your desired outcomes and impacts?
STEP 2: Short Video
In addition to providing responses to the application form questions, please record and upload a file or link to a 1 minute maximum unedited, unproduced video introducing yourself, your small business, non-profit organization or community group.
Program Info Session
Interested in applying to the Haldimand County "Spark" Program? Register for this online Info Session to learn more about the program, what we are looking for, and how to apply:
Thursday, October 19 @ 5:00-5:45pm - REGISTER
Thursday, October 19 @ 5:00-5:45pm - REGISTER
Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab