Connect & Elevate: The Ontario Tourism Summit 2026
OTS26 is where Ontario’s tourism community comes together to think bigger. Under the theme Connect & Elevate, tourism leaders, municipalities, destination organizations, and provincial and federal partners will spend two days exploring what’s next for Ontario’s visitor economy, from growing international markets to building the infrastructure and partnerships that keep Ontario competitive on the world stage.
The Summit concludes with the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence, recognizing the people, businesses, and communities making Ontario a destination worth talking about.
Accommodation
We have a room block reserved at The Westin Ottawa. Situated in the heart of Ottawa on the Rideau Canal and steps from Parliament Hill, The Westin Ottawa hotel offers easy access to Canada's national attractions.
Hotel Details: The Westin Ottawa, 11 Colonel By Drive Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, K1N 9H4
Room Block Dates: Tuesday, October 20th - Friday, October 23rd
Last Day to Book: 09/28/2026
Reserve Your Room: Click here to book your group rate for Tourism Industry Association of Ontario 2026
Meet Our Speakers
Dr. David Coletto
Chair, CEO and Founder of Abacus Data
Join Dr. David Coletto—one of Canada’s most recognized public opinion researchers and CEO of Abacus Data—for a compelling, data-driven look at the current state of Ontario’s tourism industry. Drawing on deep expertise in consumer behaviour and economic trends, Dr. Coletto will unpack how tourism drives regional economies, how today’s travellers are navigating uncertainty and seeking reassurance, and what this means for demand. This session will also highlight emerging opportunities for growth and outline how the industry can position itself strategically ahead of the upcoming municipal elections—making it a must-attend for anyone looking to stay ahead of shifting trends and shape the future of tourism in Ontario.
Gwen Patrick
Financial Innovation Lead
Shorefast Institute
Gwen Patrick is the Financial Innovation Lead at the Shorefast Institute for Place-Based Economies, overseeing program execution and financial and economic toolset development. Her primary focus is Economic Nutrition, which is a tool developed by Shorefast and modelled after the practice of food nutrition labelling that shows where your money goes and what it pays for. Gwen grew up on Salt Spring Island, BC, where she founded the Foundation of Youth, a youth advisory committee of the Salt Spring Island Foundation. While earning her Bachelor of Commerce at Queen’s University, she received the Kehoe Fellowship, enabling her to intern with Shorefast on Fogo Island. After graduation, she obtained her CPA designation and worked in public accounting at Deloitte, Toronto before returning to Shorefast.
Daniel Lewis
Human-Centric Workplace Culture & Sales Expert, Motivational Storyteller
Daniel Lewis, widely known as the “Human Caffeine” speaker, is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and international keynote speaker whose work focuses on energizing organizations through a people-first approach to leadership, workforce engagement, and customer experience. As the founder of the award‑winning tea brand T By Daniel, Lewis built his career within a customer-facing, experience-driven retail business, which informs much of his perspective on the tourism, culinary, and hospitality sectors—industries that depend heavily on human connection, service excellence, and memorable guest experiences. His speaking and advisory work centers on helping organizations strengthen workplace culture by prioritizing employees as the foundation of business success.
When
Location
- Westin Hotel Ottawa - 11 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa ON K1N 9H4
