Presentations & Recordings

Working with Social Influencers

Join RTO 9 and Kate March from Attractions Ontario as we dive into the dynamic world of travel marketing at this webinar designed to empower businesses and marketers with the skills to effectively collaborate with travel influencers. In today’s digital age, content creators are reshaping how destinations and experiences are marketed, offering unparalleled opportunities for authentic engagement and audience growth.

Stratégie Médias Sociaux : Planifier Pour Le Succès

Cette session est minutieusement conçue pour ceux qui sont prêts à adopter une approche systématique des médias sociaux. Plongez dans les subtilités du développement d'une stratégie de médias sociaux cohérente et efficace qui s'aligne sur vos objectifs. Que vous visiez à augmenter la notoriété de votre marque, renforcer l'engagement, ou stimuler les ventes, notre instructeur vous dotera des outils et des connaissances pour planifier et exécuter avec confiance.

Social Media Strategy: Planning for Success

Intensify your social media expertise with our exclusive workshop, Social Media Strategy: Planning for Success. This advanced session is meticulously crafted for those who are ready to take a systematic approach to social media. Delve into the intricacies of developing a cohesive and effective social media strategy that aligns with your goals. Whether you aim to boost brand awareness, increase engagement, or drive sales, our seasoned instructor will equip you with the tools and knowledge to plan and execute with confidence.

Mastering Ecommerce with Mailchimp

Effective marketing is essential for driving sales, fostering customer loyalty, and building a thriving online business. Mailchimp offers a comprehensive suite of tools specifically designed to help ecommerce businesses attract, engage, and retain customers. This webinar, "Mastering Ecommerce with Mailchimp," is crafted to empower participants with the knowledge and skills needed to leverage Mailchimp's ecommerce features to their fullest potential.

Integrating AI into your Business

Join RTO 9 and Cristian Urroz of Urroz, based in Cornwall ON, as we explore the advancing technology of AI and how this tool can be utilized. Learn about the software and platforms available to use in your business and how these interfaces can be harnessed to assist you in automating some aspects of your daily operations - relieving yourself of manual, mundane tasks so that you can focus more on your business.

Introduction to Sustainable & Regenerative Tourism

This webinar is for any business owner, manager, or staff member who is interested in broadening their knowledge of sustainability while seeking ways to get started on their journey to improving the performance within their organization. Join GreenStep’s Sustainable Tourism Team for this informative webinar to learn how your business, and the planet, can benefit from assessing your business’ sustainability performance.

Création de Contenu Engageant

Rejoignez-nous pour Création de Contenu Engageant, un atelier conçu pour amener le contenu de vos médias sociaux au niveau supérieur. Le contenu est important dans le monde digital, et maîtriser l'art de créer des publications captivantes peut vous démarquer dans un espace encombré. Cette session est parfaite pour les propriétaires d'entreprises souhaitant captiver leur audience plus efficacement. Nous couvrirons tout, de l'identification de votre voix de marque unique à l'utilisation de visuels et de techniques de narration qui résonnent. Apprenez à créer des publications qui attirent non seulement l'attention mais encouragent également l'interaction et la fidélité de vos abonnés.

Creating Engaging Content

Join RTO 9 and Karine Parthenais of MellowBrew Marketing for Creating Engaging Content, a workshop designed to take your social media content to the next level. Content is king in the digital world, and mastering the art of crafting compelling posts can differentiate you in a crowded space. This session is perfect for business owners looking to captivate their audience more effectively. We'll cover everything from identifying your unique brand voice to utilizing visuals and storytelling techniques that resonate. Learn how to create posts that not only attract attention but also encourage interaction and loyalty from your followers.

How to Create Newsletters with Mailchimp

Are you looking to improve your email marketing strategies and create captivating newsletters that engage your audience? This webinar by Jennifer Baker Consulting will guide you through the process of creating impactful newsletters using Mailchimp. Participants will gain valuable insights into best practices, design techniques, and email marketing strategies to take your campaigns to the next level.

Médias Sociaux 101 : Guide Pour Débutant

Que vous soyez un entrepreneur chevronné, un nouvel entrepreneur, ou simplement vous désirez améliorer votre présence en ligne, cette session couvrira tout, de la création de profils aux stratégies pour engager votre audience. Notre instructeur vous guidera à travers le paysage actuel des médias sociaux, en mettant en évidence les caractéristiques clés, les avantages et les conseils pour naviguer efficacement sur les plateformes. Ne manquez pas cette opportunité d'éléver vos compétences en médias sociaux ! Animé par Karine Parthenais de MellowBrew Marketing et organisé par RTO 9.

Social Media 101: The Basics

Whether you're a seasoned business owner, a budding entrepreneur, or simply eager to improve your online presence, this session will cover everything from setting up profiles to strategies for engaging your audience. Our experienced instructor will guide you through the current landscape of social media, highlighting key features, benefits, and tips for effectively navigating platforms. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your social media skills! Facilitated by Karine Parthenais from MellowBrew Marketing and hosted by RTO 9.

Crafting Audiences with Mailchimp

In today's digital landscape, email marketing remains a powerful tool for businesses to engage with their audience, drive sales, and build brand loyalty. This webinar by Jennifer Baker Consulting, "Crafting Audiences with Mailchimp," is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to harness the full potential of Mailchimp's audience management capabilities.

Kingston Film and Media - Location Workshop Recording June 2024

Watch the Kingston Film and Media recorded workshop session and learn how your business can get involved with the growing film Industry across the region. Rent your space for a shoot, get paid for the time. From large productions to small student films, Kinston and RTO 9 locations are in high demand. Learn how you can be part of a locations database and crew/support service directory on Reel Scout. This workshop is intended for local businesses across RTO9, not just Kingston.

2023/2024 RTO 9 Annual General Meeting

*DISCLAIMER* Recording begins at the approval of the Agenda for the 2023/2024 AGM - the welcoming remarks and Land Acknowledgment were not recorded.

Join the Board of Directors and staff of RTO 9 for the 2023/2024 AGM, as we review the past fiscal year and bring forward the new slate of directors for the 2024/2025 Board of Directors.

Filming in RTO 9

Learn about filming policies and procedures in the RTO9 region! Knowing that the film and TV industry contributed over 2 billion dollars to Ontario's economy in past years, the Kingston Film and Media Office wants to connect with tourism industry partners in the RTO9 region to share best practices for offering your communities as backdrops for film productions. This presentation covers filming considerations and permitting for those unfamiliar with the industry, how the Kingston Film and Media Office can help support productions when they come to southeastern Ontario, and how locations can be advertised on the locations database.

Eastern Ontario EV Charging Initiative

Mitchell House from the City of Ottawa focuses on demystifying electric vehicle technology, providing context for electric vehicle adoption in Eastern Ontario, the role for electrified transportation within Eastern Ontario’s Transportation Network, and exploring benefits and opportunities for local tourism operators to become more involved in the planning and deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

ADaPT Program Information Session

Advanced Digital and Professional Training (ADaPT) is a skills development and work placement program aimed at preparing post-secondary graduates and students in their final semester for a changing world of work. ADaPT meets employer needs and provides post-secondary graduates with 70+ hours of no-cost training on in-demand skills through professional and digital workshops and alternative pathways to meaningful careers.

Feast On = Local Certified

Managed by the Culinary Tourism Alliance, Feast On® is North America’s largest and longest running local food certification program, recognizing businesses across the food tourism value chain that are committed to sourcing Ontario-grown food & drink. Join Kshitji Ratan and Gabrielle Mueller from the Culinary Tourism Alliance to learn more about the program, the current network, and the benefits of getting certified.

Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program Information Session

TIAO’s Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program aims to expand and diversify Ontario’s tourism workforce while helping employers retain employees for the long-term sustainability of their businesses and the industry. Join RTO 9 and TIAO for this information session on the Tourism Workforce Sustainability Program (TWSP). Learn about employee/employer eligibility, benefits of the program, and how you can tap into the program.

2024/2025 Partnership Fund Information

Join Meg from RTO 9 as she goes through the 2024/2025 Partnership Fund application, guidelines and eligibility requirements for the first in-take period. This information session will go through the application process and help you determine whether your project or organization is eligible to apply, how the program works, and what expenses can be incurred under the project. This is your opportunity to get familiar with the program before applying!

Rainbow Registered Information Session

Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for 2SLGBTQI+ friendly businesses and organizations. When you see a Rainbow Registered symbol, you know the business or organization meets a stringent set of standards to ensure 2SLGBTQI+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted. Accredited businesses are deemed market-ready for the 2SLGBTQI+ customer and given the right to be associated with the program’s prestigious Rainbow Registered designation mark.

GreenStep: Introduction to Sustainability for Tourism Businesses

Join GreenStep for this informative webinar to learn how your business, and the planet, can benefit from assessing your sustainability performance. Improve your knowledge on sustainability as a topic and build an understanding of the assessment criteria specific to the tourism industry and what is measured within the environmental, social and cultural, and economic aspects of your business.

CrowdRiff: Building Bridges with Indigenous Tourism

Download the CrowdRiff resource guide for DMOs looking to strengthen relationships, create campaigns, and tell visual stories with Indigenous tourism partners. This eBook was created in partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and with the generous participation of Indigenous tourism organizations, tourism professionals, and community members from across North America.

TIAO - National Day for Truth and Reconciliation: Honouring Truth, Expanding Knowledge and Creating Conversations

Join Indigenous Tourism Ontario's CEO and President Kevin Eshkawkogan for a learning journey, exploring the rich and diverse cultures, voices, experiences and histories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Navigating the Field Trip Market

Ontario Teachers and School Boards are constantly looking for ways to amplify their curriculum yearly by incorporating Field Trips, but what exactly do they look for? How can you make them aware of you? This workshop, featuring Phil Casey of Attractions Ontario, will discuss those questions and many more to help increase school visits and ensure you are best prepared for them.

Grant Writing 101: For-Profit Tourism Organizations

Join Adrienne Carter from the Three Sisters Cultural Centre in St. Jacobs, as she goes through possible granting opportunities, the best practices and how to be successful when applying for grants on behalf of your For-Profit tourism business!

Grant Writing 101: Not-For-Profit Tourism Organizations

Join Adrienne Carter from the Three Sisters Cultural Centre in St. Jacobs, as she goes through the best practices and how to be successful with grant writing for your not-for-profit tourism organization!

2023 Annual General Meeting

This meeting provides a comprehensive overview of RTO9's activities, initiatives, and accomplishments over the past year, including financial statements, future plans, marketing and promotional efforts, partnerships with tourism stakeholders, and programs that aim to support tourism development in the region.

How to Brainstorm and Create Social Media Video Content for your Business

In this hands-on workshop tourism businesses learned how to brainstorm and organize strategic video content ideas like a marketer and more!

Partnerships in Tourism: Why They Work and Where to Start

Creating partnerships is vital to the health of the Tourism Industry but where do you start? Who do you approach? This workshop will explore the importance of partnerships and walk you through effective methods of creating one and who the players are in the industry to help you, and tourism as a whole, grow.

Which Social Media Platforms Are Best for Your Business?

Digital marketing specialists Sean Rucko and Brian O'Grady from Search Warrant will help you zero in on your target market by showcasing the top social media platforms by users, demographics of social media platform users, top social media platforms by industry, and more!

How to Use Video Content to Connect with Your Target Market

In this Webinar, Social media creator and consultant, Anna Ruck will show you how to effectively provide value via video marketing to grow a following and convert sales.

Working With Tourism Operators to Build Multi-Day Experiences

Jason Sarracini, founder & CEO of Landsby shares with us how to build multi-day experiences that can help build your tourism and hospitality business.

Tips For Operating Safe Events in 2022

RTO 9 has partnered with Marnie Lapierre of Northern Events and Tourism Consulting to review key points of every event’s planning process, and how they have changed how organizers move forward.

Leading in Times of Transition to Attract and Retain Employees - March 2022

What most often sets successful companies apart is not the policies, procedures or even the product, it's the people. If you take care of your people, odds are they will take care of your products, and your customers. This webinar focuses on how to do that by building an emotionally intelligent, psychologically healthy and safe organization that keeps teams engaged to deliver excellent products and services, over the long term.

Business Transitions Succession Planning - March 2022

A loss of key talent can create a catastrophic ripple throughout any organization that is not prepared. With a variety of factors at play, it is not a question of if you will lose talent, it is only a question of when. So, are you ready? This webinar guides businesses through the succession cycle to provide a roadmap for success.

Managing Your Mental Health For Hospitality Operators & Managers - March 2022

RTO 9 welcomes Not 9 to 5, a global leader in mental health advocacy for the hospitality sector, and Healthy Pour, consultants aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and organizations within the tourism and hospitality industry for an engaging discussion that focuses on real world examples and scenarios that hospitality owners deal with every day.

Unlocking Talent: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion - March 2022

This Webinar recording features Wessam Ayad, EDI Consultant and Training Facilitator at KEYS Job Centre. Ayad sheds light on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), the different levels of awareness and provide employers with innovative approaches to take your EDI profile from awareness to action.

20 Trends Shaping Tourism Recovery in South Eastern Ontario - March 2022

Analyzing the myriad trends predictions and forecasts, from CNN Traveller, to the Economist to Skift, Twenty31 developed a framework to prioritize the top 20 trends likely to impact how tourism recovery unfolds in Canada in 2022. This presentation highlights eight of the trends with direct relevance for South Eastern Ontario destinations and tourism operators, including impact on consumer behaviour.

January 2022 - How TIAO and CFIB Are Aligning Efforts to Assist Tourism Operators

Chris Bloore, President and CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, and Ryan Mallough, Senior Director of Provincial Affairs, Canadian Federation of Independent Business, as they discuss their individual & combined efforts to support the tourism industry throughout the pandemic. ⁠

November 2021 - Creating Partnerships with Indigenous Tourism Operators

Join facilitator Linda Sarazin, Director of Operations and Special Projects with Aboriginal Experiences as she discusses the importance of developing working relationships with Indigenous people across the South Eastern Ontario region.⁠

November 2021 - Travel Trade For Tourism Operators

Industry expert Sandra Rice from Destination Ontario provides us with an update on Travel Trade to assist operators that have worked in travel trade and those who are considering it.⁠

October 2021 - Building Consumer Confidence with the Safe Travels Stamp

The Safe Travels Stamp is a way for your customers and local residents to recognize your business's outstanding efforts in adopting health and hygiene standardized protocols.

September 2021: Tourism Summit - The Path Forward

This year's Summit concentrated on the steps needed to improve traveller confidence, understand new market trends to build more resilient and inclusive tourism sectors.

September 2021: Tourism Summit - Keynote Speaker, Leslie Bruce, President & CEO, Banff & Lake Louise Tourism

Leslie Bruce has led the team at Banff & Lake Louise Tourism for over six years as President & CEO, With almost twenty years of experience in the travel industry, Leslie has a track record of strong leadership, sustainable growth, and innovative use of technology to deliver results.

September 2021 - Search Console 101

In this webinar, you'll learn how to optimize your search appearance on Google and increase organic traffic to your website.⁠⁠

August 2021 - Google My Business 102

In this webinar, you'll learn the value of optimizing your Google My Business listing to help your business rank higher on Google Maps and on the first page of Google Search results.

July 2021 - Social Content 101

You'll find a PDF of Brian's presentation and the recording of the session below.

July 2021 - Social Content 101

In this webinar, learn how to create and publish social content that resonates with consumers, while understanding how you will create a competitive advantage⁠⁠.

June 2021 - Search Engine Optimization 102

You'll find a PDF of Marc's presentation and the recording of the session is available below

June 2021 Search Engine Optimization 102

Deep dive into how you can use technical Search Engine Optimization with Google Search Console to make your site more search-friendly. ⁠

2021 RTO 9 Annual General Meeting - Presentation Slides

Find out how your Regional Tourism Organization for South Eastern Ontario, navigated through COVID-19 in 2020.

Ideas Labs: Peer-To-Peer Learning

Each of the six sessions focused on a single topic, designed to ignite conversations around tactical and practical topics, led by an industry topic specialist. View the session summaries below.

Creating Sustainable Events

Join RTO 9 and Natalie Lowe, The Sustainable Events Forum (TSEF), for an engaging look at steps that event planners can take to move toward hosting sustainable events. Whether your event is small or you are planning ahead for post-COVID larger events, this is a great opportunity to learn from the experts at TSEF.

Recording: The Importance Of Tourism Research

Join RTO 9, Oliver Martin of Twenty31 and Fran Hohol of CBRE, as we discussed the importance of tourism research, how to use research, and how important it is for current and future decision making.

Importance Of Research: The Business Case for Research

Oliver is a destination development strategist with over 18 years of experience in quantitative research. He has worked with 50+ tourism management organizations to develop sustainable growth plans and to measure impact. At Twenty31 Oliver advises destinations on how to utilize research insights for development and strategy assessment.

Importance of Research: A Focus On The Accommodation Sector

Fran is Senior Director at CBRE Limited with over 35 years of consulting experience in the hospitality and tourism sector, including market and financial feasibility studies, needs assessments, economic impact studies, and strategic business plans. Fran is also responsible for CBRE Hotels’ extensive national database on the accommodation sector, including the collection of monthly data on the performance of Canada’s hotel sector (Occupancy, Average Daily Rate and RevPar). This data is reported to RTO 9, along with a National Trends Report for a market comparison to the rest of Canada.

South Eastern Ontario Consumer Research – Findings & Insight

These presentations include Twenty31's latest research on consumer demand for South Eastern Ontario. Each presentation provides an in-depth focus on destinations in South Eastern Ontario. Presented by Oliver Martin, Twenty31 and Cathy Kirkpatrick, Alphabet Creative.

March: Anti Racism Let's Get Uncomfortable

LGU’s Shalene Dudley, Founder of Latitude Concierge Travels, is joined by Saiqa Sheikh, Co-Owner of JERKebago and Founder of Diverse Roots Rural Ontario and discuss topics such as the realities of racism BIPOC hospitality & tourism business owners face in the region providers.

February: Search Engine Optimization 101 - Marc Rand

Put the web to work for you!⁠ Learn how to make your site more searchable.⁠

November - December 2020 - Shopify Masterclass

If you’ve always been curious about using Shopify for your business, this series of webinars is for you! We’ve teamed up with Shopify to teach South Eastern Ontario business owners what they need in order to create a successful e-commerce presence. From product selection to photography, branding to shipping, we’ve got you covered!

October 21st 2020 - Welcoming Cyclists in South Eastern Ontario

Learn how welcoming cyclists can be good for your business and destination⁠.

2020 Tourism Summit

Our annual tourism summit looked a bit different than previous years. This year, we hosted our 2020 Tourism Summit online on September 11th. The day was filled with topics and conversations around COVID-19, the impact on the tourism industry, and the measures being created. Guests speakers included. View presentations and the recording below.

July 9th 2020 - Providing Traveller Value As Tourism Slowly Reopens

Nancy Arsenault, Managing Partner at Tourism Cafe joins our webinar for an informative and timely presentation addressing what "traveller value" in the current COVID 19-era means. ⁠

July 6th 2020 - Reputation Management During Crisis

In this webinar, Beattie Tartan Managing Director, Deirdre Campbell, will speak on the steps tourism and hospitality businesses should take to maintain a trusted brand during a global crisis. ⁠⁠

June 30th, 2020 - Attracting Ontario Tourists Through Innovative Partnerships and Itineraries

We are pleased to partner once again with Eva Gutsche from STEM Consulting to assist tourism operators in the region in strategies to attract local tourists. This webinar will help businesses understand who their short-term Ontario-based customer could be and how to adjust your product offering and how to create unique local itineraries to appeal to that market.

May 28th, 2020 - Ramping Up as the Curve Flattens

RTO 9 is pleased to partner with Eva Gutsche from STEM Consulting to assist tourism operators in the region in what to expect as businesses start to re-open. This webinar will cover a wide range of topics with immediate implementation opportunities for participants.

May 27th, 2020 - RTO 9 Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting for Regional Tourism Organization 9 (RTO 9).

Recording available upon request.

May 22nd, 2020 - Reopening Guidance for Restaurants, Hotels, and Motels

In this webinar, Tony Elenis, President & CEO of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association (ORHMA), discusses what accommodation and restaurant operators need to know to reopen their business in the COVID-19 economy.

May 21st, 2020 - Engaging Your Customers Through COVID-19

In this webinar, tourism marketing professional Cathy Kirkpatrick from Alphabet Creative, will share useful tips and ideas on how businesses can engage with customers now.  She will share case studies of how other brands and destinations are using this time to be proactive and productive in prepping for future success.

February 2020 - Content Optimization & Reporting For Travel & Tourism

A look at South Eastern Ontario's content landscape and how we optimize this content to reach a larger audience. Includes basic Google Analytics terms and how to measure conversion.

Level Up Your Instagram Game - Slides

This workshop will inspire participants to create meaningful content, effectively manage their account, and learn about the latest trends. You’ll learn: How to elevate your current strategy, How to manage your time effectively, Helpful apps to create better content, Analytics and why they matter, How to establish an Instagram brand aesthetic.

Managing Your Online Presence For Tourism Businesses

How to better manage your online business presence with research to build a great online
presence.

February 2019 - Making Sense of Web Analytics

A look at why website data is so important for not only a marketer, but for tourism operators, and small businesses. Cathy from Alphabet Creative explains what data to track, how to report on this data, and what to do with this data.

Parts Unknown: Exploring Disruptive Change in the Business of DMO’s

Exploring the drivers of change within the tourism industry.

July 2017 - Role of a DMO

A review of options and best practices to be followed by a DMO.