SPECIAL EDITION BRUCE COUNTY
​
“Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program

​Re-Imagine or Re-Tool Your Tourism Business
​

THE 2020 SPECIAL EDITION BRUCE COUNTY APPLICATION INTAKE IS NOW CLOSED. THANKS TO THOSE WHO SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS. STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES!

Bruce County, Regional Tourism Organization 7 (BruceGreySimcoe), and the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab have partnered to launch a Special Edition "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program in response to the COVID-19 crisis.  
​
Small tourism businesses in Bruce County are encouraged to submit an application with ideas on how they could “re-imagine” or “re-tool” their tourism operations, offerings and/or products to respond, pivot and adapt to the short- and medium-term tourism market landscape and emerging opportunities.

With $100,000 in funding available, up to 20 selected applicants will receive grants between $3,000 and $10,000 and a tourism mentorship.
​​
The program includes:

• Call out for applications from small tourism businesses in Bruce County
• Simplified 1,000 word max application (approx 2 page document)
• Application intake period from June 4 to June 24, 2020
• Application reviews by a jury including local and provincial tourism leaders
• Selection of up to 20 small tourism business applicants from Bruce County 

Selected applicants will receive:

• 3 month mentorship with a tourism innovator, experienced operator, industry leader and/or sector expert
• $3,000-$10,000 "Spark" grant to support the re-imagining or re-tooling of their tourism small business
• Digital advertising support from Regional Tourism Organization 7 (BruceGreySimcoe)
  
• 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 Guide

Who Can Apply?

• Existing small tourism businesses based in Bruce County with up to 10 full-time, year-round employees and operations providing tourism services, offerings, experiences, and/or products.
• Small tourism businesses include those that offer accommodations, retail, restaurants, hospitality, attractions, tours and transportation services. 

What Are We Looking For?
We are looking for innovative ideas on re-imagining or re-tooling existing small tourism businesses in Bruce County to help them adapt and pivot in response to the  COVID-19 crisis. Examples include:

• Upgrading buildings and facilities
• Buying equipment to offer new programming, products and/or services
• Creating new digital platforms and/or delivery models
• Enhancing current tourism offerings

APPLICATION DEADLINE: JUNE 24, 2020​
​

“Spark" Program Application

How to Apply?
Submit a 1,000 word maximum document with responses to each of the following 10 questions:

1. Contact information (name, phone number, email, business name, website)
2. Tell us about your small tourism business.
3. What’s your idea to re-imagine or re-tool your tourism business?
4. How is your idea innovative or unique?
5. What stage are you at with your idea?
6. Who are your target market(s)?
7. Who are your current and/or planned partners?
8. What are the estimated costs to develop, plan and implement your idea?
9. How would you utilize the “Spark” mentorship and grant funds if selected?
10. What are your hoped for outcomes and impacts?
Please copy and paste these questions into a word document or email and provide a response for each, keeping the full application document to 1,000 words or less. 

IMPORTANT: Incomplete applications or applications that are above the maximum word limit will not be reviewed. 

Application Submission
​Please submit your application to info@tourisminnovation.ca by June 24, 2020 and include "Re-imagine" in the subject line. 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 toll-free / 416-712-8819 to make sure we received your application. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted or reviewed. All review jury decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

NOTE: Selected applicants will have to provide proof of existing business registration to receive the mentorship and grant.

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 Ontario 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.

​Learn more about the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab

---

​- Home Base - 
Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab
c/o University of Windsor - EPICentre
​2455 Wyandotte St W, Windsor, ON N9B 3B3
​​​info@tourisminnovation.ca
1-844-455-0325 toll-free / 416-712-8819