News Around Town – September 2021

Member Announcements

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members:

Olivia Sylvester is a program officer at the National Judicial Institute. She is a 2021 graduate from the Event Management Program at Algonquin College.

Frances Wellink is a Manager, Special Events & Facility Rentals at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg. In March 2021 Frances successfully passed her MPI-Healthcare Meeting Compliance Certificate.

State of the Industry (TIAC)

TIAC urging all parties to support continued help for tourism industry

TIAC wants this country’s next federal government to continue to lend a financial helping hand to a beleaguered tourism industry. On September 9, 2021 TIAC President Beth Potter bluntly warned that the tourism industry is “on the brink of disaster” if measures that were created to assist firms struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic aren’t extended.

“The impact on the visitor economy has been greater than SARS, the 2008 economic crisis and 9/11 combined” says Beth Potter, President of TIAC.

“Prior to COVID-19, tourism was Canada’s fifth-largest sector, sustaining more than 1.8 million jobs. But since the pandemic, the industry has lost two summer seasons, drained financial reserves, taken on massive debt and now has difficulty attracting enough employees as it strives to relaunch.” Potter continues “Even with extensive vaccinations and the gradual lifting of restrictions, a bleak fall and winter is certain. There will be no conventions, limited business and government travel, and the wind down of support programs (CEWS and CERS) could not come at a worse time.”

TIAC is urging “all parties to support a qualified and limited financial support program from September 2021 to May 2022 to the hardest-hit businesses.”

Link to the full article here: TIAC Warns That Industry Is on the Brink of Disaster - TravelPress

TIAC Federal Advocacy Push website click here: Tourism Votes

Proof of vaccination mandatory in Ontario

The Government of Ontario has released a plan to implement required proof of vaccination in select settings starting September 22, 2021. In October, Ontario will also introduce an enhanced digital vaccine receipt that features a QR code. Businesses where proof of vaccination is required include most bars and restaurants, festivals, meetings, events, and other public settings where face coverings cannot always be worn. Along with proof of vaccination, a valid form of government ID will also be required.

For the period between September 22 and October 12, 2021, it is intended that people attending wedding or funeral receptions at meeting or event spaces will be able to provide a negative rapid antigen COVID-19 test from no more than 48 hours before the event as an alternative to proof of vaccination. These rapid antigen tests would have to be privately purchased.

#SafeTravels Stamps

The WTTC in conjunction with the industry, including TIAO, has created a self-certified Safe Travel Stamp based on worldwide industry protocols the WTTC has put together for every aspect of the hospitality and tourism sector.  

The specially designed stamp will allow travellers to recognize governments and companies around the world which have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience ‘Safe Travels’.

Eligible companies such as hotels, restaurants, airlines, cruise lines, tour operators, attractions, short term rentals, car rentals, outdoor shopping, transportation and airports, will be able to use the stamp once the health and hygiene protocols, outlined by WTTC, have been implemented.

Industry News in General 

City Friends with Benefits – Ottawa, Toronto, Montréal

Ottawa, Toronto and Montréal have set their friendly rivalries aside to create a new campaign aimed at reviving the excitement of travelling to three of Canada’s largest and most vibrant cities. The new campaign, City Friends with Benefits, comes from Ottawa Tourism, Destination Toronto, and Tourisme Montréal, the Destination Marketing Organizations for each respective city. This marks the first time the three organizations have worked collectively on a campaign. The invitation to visit comes as the tourism industry and urban destinations begin the slow recovery process after nearly two years of impact from COVID restrictions.

City Friends with Benefits is an invitation for travellers from each city to escape their hometown and visit the other cities. The campaign is a playful and cheeky take on the notion of “friends with benefits,” purposely light-hearted in contrast to the isolation and confinement over the course of the pandemic.

Link to the video click here: https://youtu.be/h6B26blyBeg
Link to the website click here: Ottawa, Montreal, & Toronto: City Friends with Benefits

Congratulations to the Shaw Centre which has won the APEX award for Best Convention Centre in the World for 2020 by the International Association of Conference Centres! The award is granted every two years in recognition of the highest rating on client surveys received by a convention centre.

Link to the press release click here: Shaw Centre | Shaw Centre Named World’s Best Convention Centre - Shaw Centre (shaw-centre.com)

Congratulations to Ottawa Tourism which has been awarded the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program seal by Destinations International. This distinction is in recognition of the organization’s commitment to industry excellence and meeting the industry standard for performance and accountability of destination organizations around the world.

Ottawa Tourism was awarded Accreditation with Distinction, the highest possible recognition for a destination organization. “With Distinction” indicates that Ottawa Tourism far exceeded the minimum requirements for accreditation and that the independent DMAP Board found no opportunities for the organization to improve its responses to the required standards.

Link to the press release click here: Media release: Ottawa Tourism receives prestigious destination marketing designation | Ottawa Tourism

The Chef’s Table is a farm-to-table feast with menus curated by Canadian chefs and musical entertainment. Presented by the Festival of Small Halls, the 2021 series will run for six weekends this summer in collaboration with the National Arts Centre’s Resident Chefs Program.

Celebrate a special occasion with a three-course meal from world-class chefs – or just enjoy reconnecting with your closest friends over food, music, and the beauty of a summer night by the Rideau Canal. Safe and distanced group dining on a spacious patio, with live musical entertainment performed from a floating stage.

Last weekend to discover Chef’s Table Reserve Here: Chef's Table - September 17 & 18, 2021 - Ontario Festival of Small Halls (thefestivalofsmallhalls.com)

Upcoming Industry Events

MPI Ottawa Annual General Assembly
September 21^st, 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Join MPI Ottawa 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 MPI Ottawa board of directors will be happy to answer any questions you may have during the Q&A.

Link to register here: MPI Ottawa 2021 AGM

Join MPI Ottawa Members for our Monthly DIY! 💥
Looking to connect with fellow #eventindustry peers? Catch up on the latest industry news, share recent virtual event wins and take-aways; well, we have you covered with our popular virtual DIYs!

📅 Thursday, October 14^th on Zoom from 4:00pm-5:00pm (EST)
👍 Open to both members and non-members 
💸 FREE to attend

October 21^st, SAVE THE DATE
MPI Ottawa Virtual Prix Prestige Awards

On October 21, 2021, plan to join MPI Ottawa fellow members for an evening #CelebratingExcellence among our amazing chapter members.
Stay tuned for more details!

MPI Toronto

November 18^th, 3:00pm
Professional Development Session – On Resilience

In addition to all the challenges the pandemic has imposed on the meetings, conferences, & incentive travel professionals, industry pros have had to develop strong mental fortitude to endure. As it turns out, mental resilience is a muscle and a skill set that can be built up and developed over time.

In this dynamic & engaging Professional Development Session we will be learning how bounce-back, persevere, (& dare we say “pivot” our mindset) and enjoy our personal journeys, no matter the circumstances.

Session Agenda & Registration to be announced soon.

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 Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services