News Around Town – August 2021

State of the Industry (TIAC)

On July 30^th 2021 the federal government proposed extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and the Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) until October 23^rd, 2021 is a positive step in supporting the tourism industry that has lost most of the summer and is still suffering from travel restrictions and border closures.

This is a very positive step and the government deserves credit for listening to our sector. However, we know that this will not be enough to keep thousands of businesses from closing their doors permanently and losing important tourism infrastructure. The tourism and travel industries were the first hit in the pandemic and the hardest hit, and we will be the last to recover. Without business survival programming that targets our sector, many businesses will not survive.

For more information click here: Extending Business Support Measures Through the Pandemic  - Canada.ca

On August 9, after more than 17 months we saw a significant change to border restrictions, allowing fully vaccinated American citizens and permanent residents of the United States to enter Canada for non-essential travel. An important and promising step towards recovery and a return to normal travel. 

The next step forward will be September 7, when Canada’s borders will be open to fully vaccinated travelers from any country who have completed the full course of vaccination with a Government of Canada-accepted vaccine at least 14 days before entering Canada and who meet specific entry requirements. This is contingent upon the domestic epidemiologic situation remaining favourable.

Here are just a few of the key takeaways from Destination Canada’s Americans’ Perceptions of Travelling to Canada:[CB1] 

• 52% of respondents believe Canada is safe to travel to
• 46% believe Canada is easy to travel to
• 27% believe the majority of Canadians have been vaccinated 
• 56% believe there are COVID-19-related barriers impacting travel to Canada, including border closure, travel ban and required proof of vaccination

Industry News in General

Last week, Ottawa Tourism launched its #Invite2 campaign, encouraging locals to invite friends and relatives to visit the capital in 2021. If each household in Ottawa were to invite two people to spend three nights in Ottawa in 2021, that would inject more than half a billion dollars in the local economy and support the equivalent of 1,500 full-time jobs.

Indigenous Tourism Ontario (ITO) worked with partners across the province to develop FEAST, a 5-year plan to strategically advance the Indigenous food tourism sector. Visitors from near and far come together to form connections, experience Taste of Place and learn about Culture through food and beverage.

The FEAST strategy will guide the enhancement of the Indigenous tourism products that already exist and encourage new, immersive food tourism experience development.

In addition to strengthening local food systems, reducing food miles, and localizing the impacts of visitor dollars, this work will also contribute to cultural revitalization by protecting food traditions and celebrating innovations.

To learn more please visit: FEAST: Growing Indigenous Food Tourism in Ontario

Upcoming Industry Events
MPI Ottawa

2021 Prix Prestige Awards

The annual Prix Prestige Awards Gala will be held virtually in October 2021. While we are getting close to being able to host in-person events again, we must hold out a little bit longer. The awards gala was created to recognize the best in our industry within our MPI Ottawa Chapter and this has certainly been a year where we should celebrate our members. Nominations will be opened until September 3, 2021.

Nominate a colleague today: 2021 Prix Prestige Awards - Call for Nominations

Education Session
Contracts changes and what to look for?
September 1, 2021
12:15 pm to 1:30 pm

Come join Heather Reid, ARCT, MSc, DES, Founder & CEO, Planner Protect Inc. and your fellow MPI Ottawa colleagues for a fireside chat about all things contracts.  COVID has put this industry through the wringer and it’s finally time to get back to in-person events.  Contracts are always a hot topic within the events industry but more so now than ever as we transition back to in-person or hybrid events.  Submit your burning questions in advance to our “quasi-legal eagle”, Reid and join us for this important and timely fireside chat.

Click here to register: $30 + HST for members.

MPI Ottawa Chapter 2021 AGM
September 21, 2021
12:00 pm to 1:00 pm

Join us virtually for this year's AGM! The office of the president will provide updates on how we finished the 2020-2021 year, how COVID continues to affect the chapter, and what 2021-2022 looks like. The board of directors will be happy to answer any questions you may have during the Q&A.

Click here to register: Free for members.

Keep an eye on the MPI Ottawa Chapter LinkedIn Group and the MPI Ottawa Chapter website for information on upcoming events.

MPI Toronto

Professional Development: State of the Industry Town Hall
September 14, 2021
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

As we look towards the fourth quarter of 2021, the complexities surrounding the state of the industry evolving alongside the ever-changing dynamics of the global pandemic have left the meeting and conference businesses in a state of near constant flux.

In this comprehensive session you will hear from industry advocacy groups and provincial representatives to bring you up-to-the-minute with all the latest and most relevant developments.

Following the main session there will be breakout opportunities for planners, suppliers, and students to tap into the resources, tools, and knowledge to thrive in the latter part of this year.

Click here to register: $25 + HST for members.

MPI Toronto Virtual AGM
September 23, 2021
3:00 pm to 4:30 pm

The agenda will include a summary of the successes of the past year and what you can look forward to in the 2021-22 year. Immediately following the AGM, join your colleagues for a Virtual Just Networking session.

Click here to register: Members only & free.

MPI Montréal/Quebec

News Alert! The Daring Series will be launched in September

In the past year, the Montreal/Quebec Chapter presented two series of events designed to help the events community through the health crisis. The first, Stronger Together, was a weekly “meet” providing a space to ask questions, discussion challenges and support colleagues. The second, the Believe series, provided a positive vision of the industry in transformation, relevant moments of exchange.

We are pleased to launch the Dare series on September 8, 2021, with the objective of connecting, educating and supporting the community in a year that will certainly require one to be daring. Each event will have a defined topic and will take place during lunch time.

Stay tuned for more events. The 2021-22 calendar of events will be posted soon. MPI Montréal/Québec - Calendrier Des Événements

Article written and compiled by Elodie LORTAL, CMP, DES | LinkedIn at National Arts Centre | Centre national des Arts: My Company | LinkedIn

Article edited by Article edited by Cynthia Beaudin, Canada Foundation for Innovation