​NORTHWEST ONTARIO (ROUND 2)
​
“Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program

Do you have a new tourism idea for Northwest Ontario?
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 Northwest Ontario 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 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 Session (our friendly take on a tourism Dragon's Den):  
  • ​Save the date: November 23 @ 1:00-3:30pm ET (being held both in person and virtual at the Northern Ontario Tourism Summit in Thunder Bay)
• Selection of 3 winning applicants from Northwest Ontario

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert
• $3,000 "Spark" grant 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

​
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.

​See past "Spark" winners from across Ontario.​

​​APPLICATION DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 8, 2022

Program Info Sessions

​​Missed one of our Northwest Ontario (Round 2) "Spark" Program Info Sessions? Watch the recording below to learn more about the program and how to apply.

You will also learn how Tourism Excellence North’s training and development solutions for tourism operators can assist you and your business to improve the bottom line and the visitor experience.

Northwest Ontario “Spark" Program Application Guide

Who Can Apply?

• Individuals 18+ who live, work and/or own property in Northwest Ontario
• Small businesses (up to 10 full time year-round employees) based in Northwest Ontario (new or existing)
• Small non-profit organizations and community groups (up to 10 full time year-round employees) based in Northwest Ontario
  *Part-time residents and cottage owners are eligible to apply.
  *Previous Northwest Ontario “Spark” winners are not eligible.

Northwest Ontario

​What Are We Looking For?
We are looking for new tourism ideas for Northwest Ontario that address one or more of the following:

• Enhances our current tourism offerings
• Creates high-quality tourism experiences
• Addresses gaps in tourism products and services
• Motivates travel, longer stays and repeat visits
• Increases year-round visits and tourism spending

*New tourism ideas must be based in and benefit Northwest Ontario.

What Is A “Tourism” Idea?
Experiences, products and partnerships that motivate travel to 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)
​

“Spark" Program Application

How to Apply?
There are 3 steps to applying to the "Spark" Program:
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
The application will ask you the following questions. Please submit your answers using the application form below up to a maximum of 1000 words.

1. Contact information (name, phone number, email, business/organization name, website)
2. Tell us about yourself, your small business or organization.
3. What’s your new tourism idea for Northwest Ontario?
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 written application, please include a file or link to a 1 minute maximum unedited, unproduced video introducing yourself, your small business, non-profit organization or community group. For example, use your smart phone to take the video, and then upload it to a file sharing service (eg. Dropbox, Google, 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 email your application form and video to apply@tourisminnovation.ca by November 8, 2022 at 11:59pm and include "Northwest Ontario" in the subject line.​

IMPORTANT: Both the 1,000 word maximum document and 1 minute maximum video 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 within 24 hours. If you do not receive a confirmation email, send another email or call 1-844-455-0325 (ext. 1) 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.

​Learn more about the Tourism Innovation Lab

Top Banner Photo: Destination Ontario

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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.