Ontario Tourism Summit

A powerful opening day designed to align Ontario’s tourism leaders around shared priorities, bold ideas, and future‑focused strategy.

Indigenous Welcome: The day begins with an Indigenous Welcome, followed by Welcome Remarks from Michael Crockatt, Chair of TIAO and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. Andrew Siegwart joins for the Opening Address, setting the strategic tone for the Summit.

Setting the Stage: Brings together Ian Bailey (Globe & Mail) with representation of Ministries for a multi‑level look at international, national, provincial, and local tourism dynamics.

Destination Ontario - United States Marketing Campaign: Followed by Vincenza Ronaldi with a Destination Ontario Spotlight on sustainability, workforce, and inclusivity and key insights to changes in markets.

Concurrent #1 - Tourism & Investment from the Water: Victory Cruises, Great Lakes Cruising, TO Port Authority

Concurrent #2 - Best of the Bay: Best of the Bay is a five-year, scalable contest that expanded from regional to local categories, generated 270+ winning locations and visitor-facing media assets, and built strong community and political buy-in to support destination development by surfacing local assets and engaging businesses.

Concurrent #3 - Best Practices: Honda Indy, Asian Food Trail, Expedia partnerships, and ready‑made discovery experiences.

Concurrent #4 - Networking Lounge: A dedicated collaboration space.

Networking Lunch: Focus and engagement on industry input with emergency situations. Featuring a special announcement. Followed by a Podcast Spotlight features Abdullah El‑Safadi (Air Canada) in conversation about leadership and future talent.

Attracting the International Market: Brings together Loren Christie (Best Cities Global Alliance), Catharine Callary, and Debra Mansillo, moderated by Johanna Griggs.

DO - CRG Study - Release of Resident Sentiment Survey

Structural Mapping Process: A future‑focused approach to uncovering human motivations and aligning organizational strategy.

Concurrent #1 - Infrastructure Collaboration Maria Fortunato with transportation, municipal and community partners.

Concurrent #2 - Rural Research: Understanding the research that works best for rural – giving you the information you need.

Concurrent #3 - Seasonality Solved? Wine Tourism Seasonality Solved? Using Wine to Extend the Tourism Calendar: A conversation around how wine regions are activating shoulder and off-season travel through programming, partnerships and targeted campaigns. This session could highlight practical approaches to building demand beyond peak months and creating reasons to visit year-round.

Concurrent #4 - Networking Lounge: A dedicated collaboration space.

Keynote Address - Connection is the New Currency: In this high-energy keynote, international speaker, award-winning entrepreneur, and master storyteller Daniel Lewis will take the stage to show why, in today’s fast-moving, tech-driven world, relationships, experiences, and community are the true ROI.

Wrap Up Day 1: Michael Crockatt wraps up Day One before delegates head to the OTS Welcome Reception, hosted by Ottawa Tourism in the ByWard Market.

A powerful opening day designed to align Ontario’s tourism leaders around shared priorities, bold ideas, and future‑focused strategy.

Indigenous Welcome: An Indigenous Welcome Address opens the day, followed by the RCGS & ITO Signing Announcement with Andrew Siegwart, Kevin Eshkawkogan, and RCGS representatives.

The OTS27 & OTS28 Location(s) Reveal

The Leadership Noone Trains You For: Leadership often emerges in high-pressure moments, and this session equips tourism and hospitality professionals to understand how stress affects decision-making, build intentional leadership responses, and create opportunities for a broader range of employees to step into leadership.

DO - International Marketing Campaign: Destination Ontario returns with an update on the International Marketing Campaign,.

ALTO: Laurent Therrien (ALTO) presenting ALTO’s strategic innovations.

Concurrent #1 - What Matters Café: Featuring 12 themed tables to provide you answers on day to day challenges that allow you to plan better.

Concurrent #2 - Governance Workshop (Part 1) Rick Powers (UofT)

Concurrent #3 - ALTO Tourism Focus Group (Part 1) ALTO Team Pre‑registered guests only.

Networking Lunch: For all delegates.

ALTO Focus Group (Part 2): ALTO Tourism Focus Group (Part 2) ALTO Team Pre‑registered guests only.

Closing the Gap - Workforce Workshop Ryna Young & Emma Watson: This workshop explores how mentorship and equitable access to development opportunities can strengthen employee engagement, career growth, retention, and long-term workforce stability in tourism organizations.

Economic Nutrition Label - Turning everyday transactions into informed investments in place: By understanding “where the money goes,” individuals and institutions can intentionally support local employment, suppliers, and cultural assets, ultimately strengthening community resilience and sustainability.

Governance Workshop (Part 2): Rick Powers

Let’s Get Frank AF: A candid conversation on accessibility, inclusion, and leadership.

Night Sky Tourism Unlocking Ontario’s dark‑sky potential:

Election Landscape & Visitor Insights: Dr. David Coletto offers a data-driven look at Ontario tourism, exploring shifting visitor attitudes, economic opportunities, emerging demand, and how the industry can strategically position itself for future growth and the upcoming municipal elections.

Closing: A short Summit Video by the Production team leads into Closing Remarks from Andrew Siegwart.

The Summit concludes with the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence: The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence celebrate success and recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry. Awards finalists and winners are celebrated at the Ontario Tourism Awards Gala at the 2026 Ontario Tourism Summit.

• Finalist Reception
• Gala Reception
• Gala Dinner & Ceremony Co‑emcees: Loren Christie & Richard Anderson
• Club Ontario hosted by Ottawa Tourism & partners