RTO 9 Partnership Fund Program Brianna Doyon Agenda Overview - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

RTO 9 Partnership Fund Program

Brianna Doyon

Agenda

 Overview  Partner Eligibility  Project Criteria  Conditions of Funding  Project Reports  Project Evaluation Criteria  Next steps

Overview

What is the Partnership Fund Program?

The Program

 RTO 9’s Partnership Fund initiative is designed to build on existing and introduce new tourism products that enhance the region’s diversity of tourism attractions and competitive advantage by supporting the development of tourism experiences in the region. This program is allocated $219,000.00 from the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS).

Program Objectives

The Ministry’s and RTO 9’s objectives in providing this opportunity are:  Enhance tourism across the Province, especially overnight stays  Support the RTO as the leader in regional tourism  Maximize support for tourism at a regional level by encouraging strong partnerships, expanding the breadth and diversity of funding partners  Encourage RTOs to engage industry partners to broaden their financial base to extend reach  Support a coordinated approach that aligns planning, product development, investment attraction and workforce development in the region  Assure the transparency and accountability of funding through the transfer payment agreement  Increase the economic tourism value to the region

Program Objectives

The Partnership Fund program is an initiative designed with the intent to make RTO 9 – The Great Waterway a premiere travel destination in Ontario, by:  Creating and enhancing tourism offerings within the region, that generate new and repeat visitation;  Extending the reach, breadth and depth of partnerships between RTO 9 and industry partners;  Utilizing partner synergies to drive tourism across the region, extending the length

• f stay and tourism receipts.

Partner Eligibility

 Eligible partners are not-for-profit and for-profit tourism organizations and businesses, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMO), Destination Marketing Programs (DMP) as well as municipalities and First Nations with a role in the delivery of tourism promotion/ product development and services, within the geographic boundaries of RTO 9.  Applicant must be prepared to have at least $2 million General Commercial Liability insurance coverage and will add “Region 9 Regional Tourism Organization” as an additional insured for the full duration of the partnership project.  Applications require full disclosure of all other funding granted to the initiative. Partners are not able to use Ontario grants (Celebrate Ontario, TIPP, EODF, TDF) to fund their portion of the Partnership Fund.  As this program is oversubscribed each year, approved partners will have 30 days from project approval to submit the required documentation, if this time frame is not adhered to, RTO 9 reserves the right to reallocate funding at it’s discretion.

Project Criteria

5 Project Categories

Product Development Training

In order to have a thriving tourism industry, RTO 9 wants to assist our stakeholders in building unique and authentic experiences for the region that will increase visitation, length of stay and visitor spend. Training such as the Edge

• f the Wedge or Ignite program will

allow participants to be shown how to create those experiences and more.  Funding ratio 1:1  Minimum partnership investment for this category is $1,350.00  All travel arrangements will be booked by RTO 9  Upon completion of the course, share your knowledge  Partners are required to have a project concept that will be reviewed as part of the application process

Creation of New or Enhancement of an Existing Festival/Event

Events are a key driver for tourism. RTO 9 recognizes the importance of festivals and events within our region and will work with our partners on the development or enhancement of festivals and events for the upcoming

• year. Enhancement of events could

include, but are not limited to, improved

• r additional programming, accessibility,

translation costs and website development.  Funding ratio 1:1  Add depth and richness to your tourism offering  Provide a reason for a visitor to stay an additional day or two  Marketing is an ineligible cost for 2018/2019. Examples of this are - ad buys, promotional items, design services and printing costs.

Multi – Language Collateral

RTO 9 recognizes the importance of the Quebec and International Markets to industry stakeholders across the region. Having multi-language market ready promotional materials available is beneficial to our industry partners, when selling their services. To offer services in French or other languages is appreciated by visitors from Quebec and abroad.  Funding ratio 1:1  RTO 9 will collaborate with their partners on projects such as, but not limited to, translation of promotional materials digital or print, translation of websites and signage.

Travel Media/FAM Tours /Influencers

RTO 9 will work with their partners that recognize the importance of earned media for the region. Support will be provided to assist partners at travel media shows, securing of FAM tours and

• utreach to social media influencers.

RTO 9 will work with our partners to develop itineraries that highlight the unique and captivating product within

• ur region.

 Funding ratio 1:1  Multi destination FAM tours/Influencers will receive priority approval  Region wide itineraries will increase

• vernight visitation

 Social media influencers are expected to use relevant hashtags, such as, #discoverON, #greatwaterway etc.

Development of New or Existing Product

Attendance at the Edge of the Wedge Program, Ignite Program or a RTO 9 Product Development Training Course is a prerequisite when applying under this

• category. Visitors are looking for new

reasons to visit, having marketable experiences that encourage tourists to come to the region will increase visitor

• spending. These can be large scale

projects, such as, strategy planning, feasibility studies and market research

• studies. This program will be offered on

a 2-teir funding model.  Applicants that have attended a training program that is part of the immersion experience training for the Edge of the Wedge or Ignite program will receive funding at a 2:1 ratio. All other projects will receive funding at a 1:1 ratio  Routes and guided experiences provide memories for our visitors  Build a greater emotional connection with your visitors

“Product development is the creation of products with new or different characteristics that

• ffer new or additional benefits

to the customer. Product development may involve modification of an existing product or its presentation, or formulation of an entirely new product that satisfies a newly defined customer want or market niche”

Project Priority

Prio iority w will b ill be giv iven t to

• prop
• posals t

that:  1. Promote overnight visits, increasing the length of stay  2. Include two or more partners that are financially committed to the project, in addition to RTO 9  3. Have clearly defined and measurable goals *See project categories for additional details.

Conditions of Funding

RTO 9 is bound to the funding guidelines as set forth by MTCS.

Defining a Partner

RTO 9 is bound to the funding guidelines as set forth by MTCS. The funds are only available to partners that are able to provide matching funds. The Ministry uses the following definition of Partner: “In the e context of t the f e funding m model el, ‘partner ership’ i is d def efined as the a agreem eement of t the R e RTO t to wor

• rk w

with on

• ne or
• r mor
• re entit

itie ies on

• n a specif

ific ic p proj

• ject in support of
• f the RTO’s busin

iness p

• plan. The

RT RTO is t the he project l lead a and nd the he p partner contributions ‘ ‘flow i int nto’ t the he RT RTO –the hey d do no not ‘ ‘flow th through’ to to th the p partn tner(s).”

Funding Criteria

 Partnership Fund projects may receive up to 50% for their eligible project, with a minimum matching contribution of $2,500. 00.00 00 and a maximum matching contribution of $50, $50,000 00.00

• 00. Projects can exceed $100,000.00 depending on the

partner contribution. Cos

• sts a

are in inclusive of

• f HST.

 Some exceptions to the above matching funds will apply.  All projects must be completed by March 31, 2019.  All projects must follow the Procurement Policy

1

• Submit Budget With Your Application

2

• Create Schedules B & C

3

• Sign Your Contract and Submit Partner Payment

4

• Collect Invoices From Vendors

5

• Submit Invoices to RTO 9

6

• Payment is Made by RTO 9 Based Upon Submitted Project Budget

Sample Materials

 Application  Sample Schedule B and C  Sample Invoice

Acknowledgements

 In entering into partnership with RTO 9, all recipients are required to acknowledge the support received by RTO 9 and MTCS, with the use of:

 The ‘Ontario Yours to Discover’ logo, on all consumer related materials  The Ontario Trillium logo, on all industry related materials  RTO 9 reserves the right to approve all logo placements prior to public release or production  Any public announcements/media releases require pre-approval of RTO 9

Documentation Requirements

 Schedules B and C must be completed prior to the contract  Contract and supporting payment are required by May 30  Invoice payments will not be processed until the supporting payment and signed contract are received.  Notify RTO 9 by September 30 if all the funding will be used  Only ask for the amount of funding you require  All Invoices and documents must be filed in a Google Drive folder provided by RTO 9

Project Reports

The mid-year (where applicable) and final report will follow the guidelines/templates provided by RTO 9. The reports will include but are not limited to:  Partner to submit their report by the date indicated by RTO 9  Partner will notify RTO 9 when the project has completed  Description of the activities linked to the project description as outlined in the application  Proof of acknowledgement of RTO 9/MTCS funding support  Report on performance measures/metrics (use of TREIM is required)  Explanation of any variance between the application and the report  Hard copy of developed materials  Final report for the project is due 30 days after the project is completed  Budget forecasting by December 1 for the remaining expenses of the project until March 31

Project Evaluation Criteria

How your project application will be evaluated.

Mandatory Requirements

 Partner agrees to compliance with RTO 9 procurement policy  Partner agrees to incorporate the Ontario Logo into project where applicable (website, social media, print and digital materials)  Compliance with acknowledgements  Proposal is consistent with RTO 9’s Business and Operational Plan  Compliance with the program accounting, documentation and reporting procedures

Evaluation Criteria

Evaluation Criteria

Next Steps

Application and Program Process

Applications

 Applications will open February 1st  Applications deadline is March 9th at noon. No applications will be accepted past this deadline  Applications will be available on tourismtalk.ca  Maximum of two applications per Organization

Process

 All applicants are encouraged to discuss their projects in a pre-consultation with RTO 9’s Operations Manager and your local DMO/DMP prior to submitting a proposal.  RTO 9 is the lead on all Partnership Fund projects with an identified project lead contact on behalf of the eligible organization.  Projects will be reviewed by an independent committee in conjunction with RTO 9’s Operations Manager, to ensure compliance with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport guidelines are met.  Approved partnership projects will be guided by a contract outlining the responsibilities of the partner organization and RTO 9.  Approved applicants will be required to provide a mid-project report as well as a final report within 30 days of completion of the project.  All applications must be submitted to RTO 9’s Operations Manager in a word

• document. RTO 9 will contact you with the results of your application via email.

Important Reminders

 RTO 9 will contact you with the results of your application via email  Only 2 applications per Organization/Business  For the applications that have been approved

 Schedules B and C will be due for your Partnership Fund contract  Contracts will be returned for final signatures  Projects ts c cann nnot s start u unti til t the c contract i t is s signe gned a and R RTO 9 9 has r received y your p project d deposit

 RTO 9 is bound to the funding guidelines as set forth by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport  Approval of Partnership Funds are subject to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sports approval of RTO 9’s 2018/2019 Business and Operational Plan  Partnership Fund Guidebook

Questions?

Thank You

Brianna Doyon

Operations Manager RTO 9 bdoyon@thegreatwaterway.com 613.344.2095 x 102 TourismTalk.ca