In 2024, TIAO is encouraging FORWARD MOTION to ensure we are providing our members and stakeholders with the most current and relevant resources to allow them to be successful at the pace at which they are ready.
FORWARD MOTION is the title of our stakeholder call series. These will be scheduled on an as-needed basis, featuring presentations from industry experts on a specific topic, event, opportunity, or service, ranging from cyber security to opportunities that you may want to be involved in to make your business succeed.
As essential, FORWARD MOTION will also feature industry updates, presented by the TIAO team, when applicable, that allow you to have the current information required to operate your business.
Be sure to check this page frequently for updates on upcoming events and sessions... or feel free to share your suggestions for topics you'd like us to cover. Your input helps shape the direction of FORWARD MOTION and ensures that we're addressing the issues that matter most to you.
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Past Sessions
An Introduction to the AODA and Compliance Requirements
Organizations in Ontario, including tourism organizations, have legal requirements that they must meet to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA).
This session will help you understand what your organization is expected to do to comply, provide you with tools to help your organization meet compliance requirements, and let you know what happens in cases of noncompliance. You will also hear about the benefits of accessibility and how well your sector is doing in complying with the AODA.
Speakers:
- Rory Burke - Director of the AODA Compliance Assurance Branch | Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
Session Recording
Federal Pre-Budget 2025
TIAO prepared a comprehensive response to highlight national alignment with recommendations from the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, while also incorporating Ontario-specific insights from our members. Our focus areas included market development, workforce sustainability, and infrastructure investment priorities.
Speakers:
- Andrew Siegwart - President & CEO | TIAO
- Nik Mills - Director of Policy & Government Affairs | TIAC
AG Energy Co-op – Natural Gas / Electricity Options to Help Reduce Your Energy Bills
With over 35 years of experience in the energy industry, AEC is well-positioned to service your natural gas and electricity needs specific to your business and risk tolerance. We learned how AEC can work with you to evaluate, assess, and provide energy expertise when considering efficiency projects.
Speakers:
- Robert De Chiara | Sales Manager - rdechiara@agenergy.coop
- Thomas Bellissimo| Inside Sales - tbellissimo@agenergy.coop
Pre-Budget Submission: Fireside Chat
On January 31, 2024, the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) submitted its 2024 pre-budget recommendations to the provincial government. TIAO's submission emphasized the urgent need for a provincial tourism growth strategy, visitor demand-driving programming and investments; reform with respect to Municipal Accommodation (MAT), Property and Beer Taxes; workforce development and immigration program investments and enhancements; as well as community-building investments such as inter-community transportation, attainable housing, and EV charging network expansion. These recommendations will advance the growth of the tourism industry, strengthen Ontario’s economy, and better serve local communities.
Speakers:
- Andrew Siegwart - President & CEO | TIAO
- Jessica Ng - Director of Policy and Government Affairs | TIAO
Group Strategies: Powered by OMCA and Motor Coach Canada
In partnership with Alternative Sales Strategies, starting in 2024, OMCA is launching ‘Group Strategies’ - a consulting arm of the association that can assist you in building customized destination development group strategies and targeted plans to bring more group sales to your destination.
OMCA’s Group Sales Growth Strategies can also help you with tracking economic impact, industry training, research, and developing tools to help make your destination group-oriented and friendly. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn best practices for ensuring the safety and resilience of your destination, fostering sustainable growth in tourism development.
Speakers:
- Vince Accardi - President | OMCA & MCC
- Jennifer McGregor - President | Alternative Sales Strategies
Security in Destination Development: What to Consider
We learned key considerations for security planning, risk management, and successful initiatives. Take advantage of this opportunity to learn best practices for ensuring the safety and resilience of your destination, fostering sustainable growth in tourism development.
Speakers:
- Andrew Siegwart - President & CEO | Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
- Krista LeClair - Executive Director | Kingston Accommodation Partners
- Natalie Savage - Founder | The Planner, Conference & Event Management
- Dillon Fremlin - Director of Emergency Services & Risk | Blue Mountain Resorts
- Lindsey Sodtk - Harm Reduction Manager | Guelph CHC | Welcoming Streets
Tourism Growth Program
The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) provides $108 million over 3 years to support communities, small-and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences. The RDAs will work in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and tourism partners to ensure the program is complementary to other supports for the tourism industry, helps to diversify regional economies and contributes to Canada’s economic growth.
Speakers:
- Alison Barclay - A/Manager, Community Economic Development, FedDev
- Jordan Grenesewich - A/Director, Community Economic Development, FedDev
Unveiling Travel Insight Opportunities
TIAO is excited to launch the TIAO Ontario Traveller Perception and Behaviour Monitor. The nature of this partnership is directly addressing the needs the industry has identified: the need for current, accurate, and affordable data and insights about Ontario travel consumers.
This new research program will provide the information your organization needs to understand how to connect with high-value Ontario travel consumers.
Ivy Charging Network | EV ChargeON Program
Applications are now open for Ontario’s EV ChargeON Program. This provincially funded program looks to support charging station projects across the vast majority of Ontario’s municipalities. Learn how you can apply for provincial funding and add EV charging to your business.
Speakers:
- Kush Obhrai - Business Development and Growth Manager, Ivy Charging Network
Session Recording Session Recording - Part 2
Tips for Applying to the Culinary Tourism D.E.I Award
Looking to apply for the Culinary Tourism Awards of Excellence DEI Award but not sure where to start? Join Monica Maralit, CTA's DEI Board Chair, and Gabrielle Mueller, Staff Lead to walk you through some helpful information about the award as well as tips for a successful application.
Speakers:
- Monica Maralit - CTA's DEI Board Chair and Senior Project Coordinator at OTEC, OTEC
- Gabrielle Mueller - Digital Media Specialist, Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA)
A Blended Workforce
Join Tourism HR Canada in their final webinar of the Building A Resilient & Vibrant Workforce series. Learn how to rethink your recruitment strategies, restructure how your teams work together, and re-imagine the products that you offer.
Speakers:
- Evan Hazenberg - Director, Labour Market Intelligence, Tourism HR Canada
Attracting, Building, and Retaining an Indigenous Workforce
Unlock the full potential of Indigenous talent in your workplace through collaboration. Explore the keys to success in Ontario's Indigenous tourism landscape, focusing on holistic approaches, authenticity, reconciliation, and mentorship.
Speakers:
- Kevin Eshkawkogan - CEO, Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO)
- Adam Morrison - CEO, Ontario Tourism Education Corporation (OTEC)
- Carol Greenwood - Vice-President, Operations and Partnerships, TIAO
How to Grow Your Business With Great Employees: Costing It Out in Your Company
It’s hard not to worry about the future of work in the tourism industry. But under the right conditions, tourism can be a primary choice for talented people who want a career in the industry.
Speakers:
- Meghan James - General Manager, Somewhere Inn (Calabogie)
- Aaron Binder - CEO Go Tours Canada (Toronto) & Segway of Ontario
How Much Should I Pay?
Figuring out compensation is a balancing act. The question of what to pay always weighs heavily on tourism operators, particularly in today's tight labour market. Is it all about dollars and cents? Or are there ways that you can re-imagine your total compensation package that will keep you competitive without breaking the bank?
Speakers:
- Evan Hazenberg - Director, Labour Market Intelligence, Tourism HR Canada
Building A Team That Stays
Learn the top three HR problems facing our industry, seven practical steps you can take today to create a workplace that attracts and retains talent—and why investing in people is good for business.
Speakers:
- Philip Mondor, President & CEO, Tourism HR Canada
Building A Seasonal Workforce
Join Tourism HR Canada to kick off the Building A Resilient & Vibrant Workforce series. Learn why—and how—to hire international talent. This webinar includes practical tips, useful resources, clear benefits, and success stories from businesses just like yours that hired internationally trained workers.
Speakers:
- Jasmine Qi - Senior Manager, Program Development and Innovation, Tourism HR Canada
Session Recording Hiring International Talent A Guide to Help Employers Labour Market Information
Regenerative Approach to Tourism in Canada
Learn more about the future of tourism, wealth and well-being for Canada, and regenerative approaches that can offer a new lens on the role of the tourism sector with Destination Canada.
Speakers:
- Erica D'souza - Senior Program Manager, Destination Development, Destination Canada
- James Anderson - Market Intelligence Analyst, Destination Development, Destination Canada
Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge - Understand how you can improve your sustainability performance between now and 2030
Angela Nagy from GreenStep Solutions showed us how the Sustainable Tourism Pledge can be cascaded down to your members - for the collective good in ensuring that Ontario has the biggest commitment towards sustainable tourism in Canada. The Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is a commitment to improving the sustainability of your tourism business or destination between now and 2030.
The purpose of the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge is to help tourism businesses and destinations measure and improve their sustainability performance. By simplifying the steps and removing the cost barrier through our free measurement tool, we can create a common framework and benchmark for the global tourism industry. By signing on the Sustainable Tourism 2030 Pledge, your organization will receive access to these tools, templates, and resources as they come available.
Speakers:
- Angela Nagy - President & CEO, GreenStep Solutions
International Living Wage Week
A living wage is an hourly wage a worker needs to earn to cover their basic expenses and participate in their community.
A living wage is not the same as the minimum wage, which is the legislated minimum all employers must pay and is set by the provincial government. The living wage reflects what people need to earn to cover the actual costs of living in their community. The living wage draws on community-specific data to determine the expenses of a family with two working adults and two children. Living wage employers voluntarily decide to pay a living wage and maintain their certification as new rates are calculated for their area.
Session Recording Employer Guide
Tourism Relief Fund Info Session + Micro credentials for Building Talent
Did you know that 44.5% of Canadian businesses are experiencing difficulties finding candidates who possessed the skills needed to do the job at the required level?
- Explore what micro-credentials are and how they can help job seekers improve their employability
- Understand how a single micro-credential, or a ‘stack’ of micro-credentials, can show how a worker is mastering the skills needed to be successful
- Learn how recruiters and employers can use micro-credentials to support upskilling and reskilling of job seekers and current staff
- See how micro-credentials are validated and tracked with online badges that can be added to resumes
Speakers:
- Christos Bakalakis - Director, Community Recovery Initiatives, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev ON)
- Mandie Abrams - Executive Director, Hospitality Workers Training Centre (HWTC)
TRF Info Session Recording HWTC Presentation
Recruiting and Retaining
Is your sourcing/recruiting and talent management process truly inclusive? Identify the challenges and opportunities related to sourcing, recruiting, and onboarding people with a disability. Identify potential barriers for people with disabilities in the talent pipeline. Review best practices to develop the talents and skills of employees with disabilities and create opportunities for them to prosper within your organization.
Speakers:
- Lisa Kelly - BA, CWC Dip, RVP, RRP, Program Manager on the Discover Ability Network, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
10 Things You Can Do to Make Your Business Accessible
What does it mean to make a business accessible? How do you do it? Are the considerations for staff and patrons different or do they overlap? This workshop addressed all of these questions and more.
Speakers:
- Donald Guse Salah - Program Manager for the Discover Ability Network, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
Smart Serve Recertification: What You Need to Know
Due to the recent changes to the liquor framework in Ontario, all existing Smart Serve certificate holders are impacted as of July 1, 2022. As such, TIAO hosted a webinar to outline some of the new regulations, highlight the new Liquor License and Control Act (LLCA), and how you will be impacted by these changes.
Speakers:
- Richard Anderson - Executive Director, Smart Serve
- Caitlyn Drexler - Policy and Research Officer, TIAO
WSIB - Health & Safety Excellence Program
We learned more about Workplace Safety and Insurance Board's Health and Safety Excellence program as well as eligible rates for small businesses (up to 99 employees).
Speaker:
- Helen Grasso - Program Management Consultant, WSIB
KIND Summer Fair
The Kind Summer Fair is coming to Toronto in 2022! Join the Cannabis Tourism Zone with your tourism experience. Access 10,000 consumers and engage with them directly to showcase your tourism experience!
Speakers:
- Jennifer Mason - Founder, New Heights Cannabis
- Nicole Wolff - Chief Experience Officer, KIND Media & Events
Destinations International is Coming to Toronto in July
We were joined by Julie Holmen and Minto Schneider who shared information on the opportunity happening in July - when for the first time ever, Toronto, was selected as the host city for Destinations International's convention.
Speakers:
- Julie Holman - Membership Engagement Consultant, Destinations International
- Minto Schneider - President & CEO, Inter Ocean Inc.