Sunday, November 21, 2010

Join us ~ by livestream, train, carpool..tOES AGM Dec. 4th

You're invited ~ tOES AGM on Dec. 4, 2010

All members and potential members interested in building a sustainable tourism industry in Ontario are invited to take part in the tOES AGM and the priorities we set there for our projects in the year ahead.

You can join us at our South River Blue Canoe location (accomodations available through member Northern Edge Algonquin) by public transportation or from the comfort of your own home or business. We will be livecasting from 11 am - 12 noon. You will be able to watch, listen and add comments to the meeting in real time from your computer.

Meeting Agenda
1. Welcome and Annual Summary of Work
2. Treasurer's Report
3. Recognition of Directors
4. Election of New Directors
5. Facilitated Discussion of 2011 work priorities ~ the Board welcomes tOES member input on charting direction for our projects, funding applications and membership services in the year ahead.

If you are interested to join the meeting you need to:
1. email to let us know; admin@toes.ca
2. open a livestream account (no cost to you) - login to northernedgealgonquin.com/live-video.html and set up an account (while further ahead is recomended, you can set up the account 10 minutes beforer the meeting and still join us).
3. Login to your livestream account at 11 am Sat. Dec. 4 and join the meeting.
4. There is no cost to you to participate.

Look forward to your input!

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

tOES members honoured at Ontario Tourism Summit Awards

On the evening of Monday November 8 th, 2010 two members of the Ontario Ecotourism Society (tOES) were honoured with nominations and one with an award at the Ontario Tourism Awards Gala and Dinner.

The Ontario Tourism Awards celebrate excellence and innovation in the tourism industry. The program is organized by the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) in partnership with judges such as those with the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. The awards presentations were made at the gala dinner portion of the OTMPC's Tourism Summit conference at Deerhurst Resort in Huntsville, Ontario.

tOES members, the Wolf Den Hostel and Nature Retreat and Northern Edge Algonquin were both nominated for the Industry Awards of Excellence in Sustainable Tourism, with the latter winning the award. Northern Edge was commended for the example they've set in building their solar-powered nature-retreat centre and over the last 15 years at the NW corner of Algonquin Park and the sustainability of their business and programs that reconnect visitors with themselves, the environment and community. The innovative partnership they engaged in this past year with another tOES member, the Bike Train, through their Rails, Trails and Ales program was highlighted as one of the drivers for judges to recognize this family-run company as an industry leader.

Co-founders of Northern Edge Algonquin, Todd and Martha Lucier both took the stage to accept the award. They gave thanks to the team of staff and partners who have helped build their successfull and sustainable business over the years, mentioning in particular Greg Waters who has not only overseen the building of inspiring spaces with sustainable materials but the serving of delicious, locally sourced and primarily organic cuisine as well. Todd also proved his leadership within the industry, encouraging the significant representation of Ontario's tourism industry present in the room to not consider the field limited to the likes of the two small retreats set in Algonquin Park, but that "everyone in this room can do sustainable tourism". He reminded attendees that energy and water conservation, renewable power sources and sustainable products and waste treatments are not only possible but important for all in the tourism industry to engage with if our industry is to survive and thrive in the future.

The Summit Awards and Conference programs were attended by tOES board members intending to use networking and learning gained there to strengthen our education and marketing programs supporting sustainable tourism in Ontario in the weeks and year to come. Some follow-up will be discussed at the tOES AGM to be held December 4, 2010...could be an expanded tOES Sponsored Sustainable Tourism Awards program, a new partnership proposal with the OTMPC.. join or contact us to support us in these endeavours or to attend the AGM.

written by Kara Mitchell