RTO 9 Announces Partnership Fund Recipients for Intake Round 2
RTO 9 is pleased to announce that we will be partnering with 14 tourism operators from across the region from now until February 15, 2024. The Partnership Fund program is an initiative to support projects designed with the intent to make the South Eastern Ontario region a premier travel destination.
The project categories for this year’s applications included New Event Product, Indigenous Tourism Development, and Development of Guided Experiences or Trails.
Congratulations to the successful recipients from our second intake period.
Bay of Quinte
Tsi Tyónnheht Onkwawén:na
A Path Forward – Opening physically in Macaulay Heritage Park on September 30, 2023 (opens virtually in early 2024), “A Path Forward” is an Indigenous art exhibition on the County’s efforts towards Truth and Reconciliation as well as a place for education, reflection, and guidance from our Indigenous community through history, art, and storytelling.
Vivacious Clothing and Day Spa
Large holiday shopping event in Quinte West November 4th & 5th, 2023 to bring local makers, larger retailers, and independent businesses all under one roof for the kick-off to holiday shopping weekend.
1000 Islands Rideau Waterways
To Be Continued Consignment Store
The Disco Bus has had several successful day trips to Almonte & Perth, each with an average 80 shoppers. This will provide Kemptville with an economic injection as well as much-needed promotion as a ‘tourism destination’ 30 minutes from the city. Three (3) trips will be offered, late summer, holiday shopping & Valentine’s.
SDG Counties
Tranquility Acres
Wine tasting and food pairing on September 30, 2023, hosted by the magnificent Liane Cote. Prior to the ticketed event, our gates will be opened to the public starting at 3 p.m. where guests can tour the property, meet our lovely farm animals, and meet & shop local vendors & businesses all while enjoying live music and bar services. Our Wine tasting & food pairing will start at 7 pm, followed by a buffet, live music, and dancing!
Kingston
Kingston Canadian Film Festival
“In Conversation With…” series over 4 weekends in the fall. Each show will involve a moderated Q&A session with a Canadian luminary. We are currently in talks to book Mark McKinney (Kids in the Hall), Annie Murphy (Schitt’s Creek), and Linda Schuyler (Degrassi), with Elamin Abdelmahmoud (CBC’s Commotion) moderating the talks. Currently, the series is set to kick off in mid-October, with additional shows in early November, late November, and early December. Final dates have not been set.
Theatre Kingston
Running October 15 to November 12, 2023, this brand new play written by Kingston playwright Chloe Whitehorn discusses the importance of the timely issue of Roe V Wade.
Prince Edward County
Chetwyn Farms Inc.
Fibre arts and the niche market for bringing together like-minded people as evidenced with shows such as VOGUE KNITS, knitting retreats, arts camps, and lecture workshops throughout the winter months in PEC.
Three Dog Winery
A one-day event with vendors and performers to kick off the 2023 holiday season on December 2nd, 2023.
Base 31
The Arrow Trail is a partnership project with the Royal Canadian Air Force in celebration of their 100th anniversary & Osisko Mining (Raise the Arrow), the National Air Force Museum of Canada, 8-Wing Trenton, The County Museums, Base 31, the South Shore Joint Initiative, The Regimental Museum, the County of Prince Edward, the Municipality of Quinte West & the City of Belleville. It will create a driving route that celebrates and explores the incredible story of the Avro Arrow, and honours the amazing efforts of the team behind the Raise the Arrow campaign who found & raised an Avro Arrow free flight test model in the waters off Prince Edward County, and shares the intertwining stories that weave Canadian folklore and national icons into local legend.
County Cooperage
Guests will be provided a guided tour throughout the cooperage to learn how barrels are made, including the highlight of barrels being set on fire, followed by a tasting of the different products that go into our barrels. The cooperage experience will be elevated by telling the story of Prince Edward County’s canning industry and our new home which is in the historic Hyatt Canning factory.
Frontenac County
Wolfe Island Records
Wolfe Island Equinox is an outdoor and indoor music festival. It will feature music from 6-8 Canadian musical acts with one U.S.-based headliner.
Lennox & Addington
The Lodge Coffee House
European-style outdoor Christmas market featuring all local, hand-crafted goods, a street closure, and lights lining above Main Street. There will be visits with Santa, wagon rides through the village, campfires for s’mores, and musicians playing at various stops along Main Street. In the evening of December 7th, 2023.
Greater Napanee Pride
Occurring September 23, 2023 in Napanee. An event combining education, networking, and community building to create a meaningful tourism product.
1000 Islands Gananoque
Pangea House
Brand new event series comprised of three multi-night stays to attract 20-25 tourists to the Thousand Islands during the shoulder/winter season. A health and wellness weekend, Writer’s Retreat, and a Holiday shopping weekend to be hosted throughout the winter months.
Learn more about our Partnership Funding Program here. If you have further questions, you are encouraged to contact Meg Dabros, Operations Manager at RTO 9 at mdabros@region9tourism.ca
About RTO 9
RTO 9 is a regional tourism organization established in 2010 that is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries. RTO 9 actively promotes tourism for the South Eastern Ontario region and works to support and grow the tourism industry through marketing, product development, investment attraction, and workforce development initiatives. The regions of South Eastern Ontario are 1000 Islands Gananoque, Bay of Quinte, Brockville, Cornwall and Stormont, Dundas & Glengarry Counties, Frontenac County, Kingston, Lennox and Addington, Prince Edward County, and the 1000 Islands Rideau Canal Waterways.