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Presented by Destination BC and in collaboration with Discover Surrey, the Surrey "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program is now underway, inviting all innovators and entrepreneurs in Surrey and White Rock to apply with a unique new tourism idea. 

Register for our next Info Session on October 17 at 11:30am PST to learn more on how you can apply to win a $3,000 grant + mentorship. We can help bring your new tourism idea to life!

For more information visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/SurreyBC.
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We're on a roll!

We're excited to announce yet another "Spark" Program launching in BC. Presented by Destination BC and in collaboration with Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Tourism Valemount, Tourism Kamloops, Tourism Sun Peaks, Gold Country and Tourism Wells Grey, we are now accepting applications for the Thompson Nicola "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program.

For more information visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/ThompsonNicola.

Don't forget to register for our upcoming Info Session on October 20 at 5:00pm PST to learn more on how you can apply. Selected applicants will receive $3,000 and mentorship to help get them started.
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A fourth round of the “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program has been launched to encourage Bruce County entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new sustainable tourism ideas for the region - this year the program is County-wide!

Previous Bruce County recipients were selected for forest bathing experiences, guided land-based and on-water ecotours, Indigenous tourism experiences, wellness retreats, transparent kayak adventures, dog-sledding tours, and winter glamping retreats.

Register for our next Info Session on October 13 @ 5:00pm at www.tourisminnovation.ca/Bruce. Apply by October 20!

The Tourism Innovation Lab and its “Spark” Program were initially piloted in Southwest Ontario in 2018, and since then we have delivered the program in 6 regions across the southernmost part of the province. This year we are excited to launch the Middlesex County "Spark" Program to continue our collaborations with Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation (one of our founding partners) and work with new partners Invest in Middlesex County and Visit Middlesex County. 

While there are no categories, our Middlesex County partners are especially interested in new tourism ideas that relate to year-round accommodations, building relationships and collaborations between culinary tourism and agricultural providers, and recreational and sport tourism.

Learn more and register for our next Info Session on October 18 at 5:00pm at www.tourisminnovation.ca/Middlesex​. Apply by October 26!

As with British Columbia, we are excited to be offering a number of new "Spark" Programs across Ontario this fall including Guelph. 

Our partners Visit Guelph, City of Guelph Economic Development, Regional Tourism Organization 4 and Business Centre Guelph-Wellington are keen to hear from entrepreneurs, small businesses and organizations with new tourism ideas for the city, including those that connect with festivals & events, culinary experiences, and sport & cycling tourism.

Learn more and register for an upcoming Info Session at www.tourisminnovation.ca/Guelph. Apply by November 2!

We are very proud to announce that Hackforge, the parent organization of the Tourism Innovation Lab, is now Rainbow Registered! 

Rainbow Registered is a national accreditation for LGBT+ friendly businesses and organizations recently launched by Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) and Tourism HR Canada. When you see a Rainbow Registered symbol, you know the business or organization meets a stringent set of standards to ensure LGBT+ customers feel safe, welcomed, and accepted.

Learn more about the Rainbow Registered program. 

A second round of the “Spark” Mentorship & Grants Program has been launched in Northwest Ontario to encourage entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for the region.

The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, mentorship and additional partner support to help get them started. Previous Northwest Ontario participants were selected for culinary experiences, a skating trail and pond hockey initiative, and outdoor adventures and packages.

Learn more and register for an upcoming Info Session at www.tourisminnovation.ca/NorthwestOntario​. Apply by November 8!

The "Spark" Mentorships & Grants Program​ will be expanding to new regions in British Columbia and Ontario 2022-2023. Stay tuned for announcements. 

​Join our "Spark" Mentor Network and support up-and-coming and early stage tourism innovators in Canada by providing advice and guidance to help them take their new tourism ideas to the next level of development. Contact us at [email protected]​ for more information on the program and how you can be a mentor.