(External) 2025 Tourism Innovation Lab Summit: Cultivating Sustainable Tourism Innovation & ​Entrepreneurship

Join the Tourism Innovation Lab and partners for an interactive event featuring engaging urban + rural mobile workshops, facilitated roundtable discussion, strategic ideas exchange, and networking opportunities, showcasing sustainable tourism entrepreneurs and leaders in Kitchener-Waterloo and Oxford County.

Why Attend?
​

• Learn from inspiring tourism entrepreneurs and leaders on-the-ground
• Discover destination highlights on a guided walking and light rail ecotour
• Build collaborations to advance sustainable tourism innovation ​
• Experience award-winning agritourism innovation
• Connect with tourism professionals and share your ideas
• Engage in small group networking

The Summit immediately follows the IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism - ONTARIO: A Regional Event being held at the University of Waterloo.

Program Overview

Tuesday, May 6
1:00pm - 7:00pm

• Welcome reception
• Mobile Workshop #1 (Uptown Waterloo-Downtown Kitchener):
  • ​Meet sustainable tourism entrepreneurs and leaders on the tour, including: 
    • ​Juanita Metzger, Stroll Walking Tours
    • Kevan Marshall, Grand River Transit
    • Alex Aubry, River City Cycle Rentals
    • Ajoa Mintah, Four All Ice Cream
    • Jessica Burman, Cocoon Spa'thecary 
  • ​Guest speakers will share the story behind their tourism ventures – offering insights into their entrepreneurial journey from launch to growth, and the business opportunities of sustainable tourism and transportation.
  • Includes a guided walking tour and lON light rail transit rides.
• Networking reception

Wednesday, May 7
7:30am - 2:00pm

• Networking breakfast
• Mobile Workshop #2 (Oxford County):
  • Learn about engaging Indigenous tourism programming and experiences that educate visitors about Haudenosaunee history and culture.
  • ​Experience award-winning agritourism innovation in Oxford County.
  • Facilitated roundtable discussion and strategic ideas exchange on cultivating sustainable tourism innovation and entrepreneurship. 
  • Guest speakers include:
    • Jaquie Jamieson, Six Nations Tourism
      ​(Skode Program mentor)
    • Cheryl Haskett, Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life
      ("Spark" Program winner and mentor)
  • Includes bus transportation from/to Delta Hotels Waterloo.
• Networking lunch​

SPACE IS LIMITED!
Register for the Tourism Innovation Lab Summit
$140/pp (cost includes 2 mobile workshops, networking receptions, light rail transit passes, and roundtrip Waterloo-Oxford County bus transportation). To register for the Summit select the "ADD ON" event ticket option on the form.