Peterborough and The Kawarthas Entrepreneurs Awarded Grants and Mentorships to Help Spark New Tourism Ideas

Three finalists who made winning pitches for the second intake of the Peterborough and the Kawarthas ‘Spark’ program were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

photo courtesy of peterborough and the kawarthas tourism.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between the Tourism Innovation Lab and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, with funding support from the Federal Economic Development Agency of Southern Ontario.

The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.

“It's a privilege to work with these local tourism innovators. Our team looks forward to supporting the development of tourism products that give visitors new and engaging ways to explore Peterborough and the Kawarthas,” said Joe Rees, Director of Tourism with Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development.

Ten applications were received, with the top five being invited to present their new tourism ideas at a virtual Pitch Session held on May 2. A panel of judges comprised of local partner representatives and a tourism innovator from outside the region selected the three winning applicants.

The 2023 Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Program winners are:

• Connor McIlveen & Glyne Pease, Shamrock Acres (Rustic farm venue/event space)

• Katie Jackson, Wanderlight Alpaca Experience (Mystery agritourism and culinary experience)

• Scott Williams, Wildflower Bakery (Sourdough bread-making workshops)

“We congratulate the second-round winners of the Peterborough & the Kawarthas ‘Spark’ program and are excited to work with them to help develop new and exciting tourism offerings in the region” said Justin Lafontaine, Program Lead for the Tourism Innovation Lab.

In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the province.

For more information, visit the website.

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Second Intake of ‘Spark’ Program Now Open to Support Tourism Innovation in Peterborough and The Kawarthas

A second intake of the Spark Mentorship and Grants program has been launched Tuesday, encouraging local entrepreneurs, small businesses and non-profit organizations to create new tourism ideas for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

Robyn Ivory Pierson (pictured) of Indigenously Infused was the 2022 Spark Program Winner. Photo courtesy of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

The program provides selected applicants with a $3,000 grant, industry mentorship and additional partner support to help them launch their new tourism idea.

In 2022, the program’s inaugural year, successful ideas included camping equipment rentals, a busker festival, outdoor culinary experiences, a bunkie resort, Indigenous experiences and an immersive maple syrup experience.

“We are inspired by the creativity, passion and innovative spirit of our past Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program winners, and are excited to foster and support new tourism ideas and entrepreneurs in the region,” said Justin Lafontaine, program lead at Tourism Innovation Lab.

Entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups are encouraged to apply with their new tourism ideas for Peterborough & the Kawarthas from Feb. 14 to March 20. Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session where three winners will be selected.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas Spark program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough. The goal of the program is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps in the market and motivate longer stays and increase year-round visits to the region.

“We are really excited to offer this opportunity again this year for tourism businesses in this region to develop and launch new products or experiences” said Joe Rees, director of tourism for Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. “This successful collaboration in innovative tourism development supports sustainable growth and expansion of tourism businesses through experiential product development.”

For more information and to register for an upcoming information session visit the website.

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Peterborough & The Kawarthas Award Grants And Mentorships To Promote New Tourism Ideas Through Spark Program

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism and the Tourism Innovation Lab have announced six entrepreneurs awarded grants and mentorships to help spark new tourism ideas through the “Spark” program.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program is a collaborative partnership initiative between the Tourism Innovation Lab, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism.

The program’s goal is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas, experiences and partnerships that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits in the region.

This year sixteen applications were received from the city and county of Peterborough.

The top five from the City of Peterborough and the top five from the County of Peterborough being invited to present their new tourism ideas at virtual Pitch Sessions held this week.

Judge panels of local partner representatives and tourism innovators from outside the region selected the six winning applicants.

Successful applicants were each awarded a $3,000 seed grant and mentorship to help them get started with their new tourism ideas.

The 2022 City of Peterborough “Spark” Program winners are:

• Kassy Scott, Rare Escape

• Polina Ratnichkina, Camp Rentique

• Luke Farley, Big Top Productions (Buskers Fest)

The 2022 County of Peterborough “Spark” Program winners are:

• Sarah Heydon, The Pearly Acre (Bunkie Resort)

• Jeremy Poulin, Red Mill Maple Syrup

• Robyn Ivory Pierson, Indigenously Infused

“It's a privilege to work with these six local tourism innovators and our team looks forward to assisting and promoting these businesses as they grow. We are excited by the prospect of supporting the development of new tourism products which will add more attractive options for visitors to our region,” said Joe Rees Director of Tourism, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.

In addition to seed funds, mentorship and additional partner support, selected applicants gain access to a network of tourism innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders across the province.

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

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New Program In Peterborough And The Kawarthas Aims To 'Spark' Innovative Tourism Ideas

A new program aimed at sparking and supporting innovative tourism ideas in Peterborough & the Kawarthas was officially announced on Tuesday. The “Spark” Mentorships & Grants Program will match selected applicants with a mentor and provide a $3,000 seed grant to help take their new tourism idea to the next level.

Photo by Luke Best.

The “Spark” Program was first launched in 2018 by the Tourism Innovation Lab and has now been delivered in over 20 regions across Ontario and British Columbia.

The goal of the Spark program is to find, foster and support new tourism ideas that will enhance current offerings, address gaps or challenges, motivate travel and longer stays, and increase year-round visits. Program organizers are especially interested in experiential and sustainable tourism ideas that connect with culinary, agritourism, and/or the shoulder season.

Individual entrepreneurs, small businesses, nonprofits and community groups are encouraged to apply with their new tourism ideas for Peterborough & the Kawarthas from May 3 - 31.

Following a juried review process, finalists will be invited to a virtual Pitch Session, where six winners (three from the City of Peterborough and three from the County of Peterborough) will be selected to receive mentorships and grants.

The Peterborough & the Kawarthas “Spark” Program is being led by the Tourism Innovation Lab in collaboration with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, a division of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development, and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough.

For more information visit www.tourisminnovation.ca/Peterborough

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“O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge” Tourism Campaign Launched In Peterborough & the Kawarthas

As the province reopens Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism (PKT) is gearing up to welcome more visitors to the area.

Photo Courtesy Of Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development

Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development and the official Destination Marketing Organization for the City and County of Peterborough is launching the “O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge” an invitation for residents and visitors to promise to respect the land, waterways and communities of the region.

Pronounced “Oh-da Pee-tah-na-mawn”, this initiative was created in collaboration with Curve Lake First Nation and Hiawatha First Nation and draws on the traditional teachings of the Michi Saagiig Anishinaabeg.

“If we’ve learned anything from 2020, it’s the power of unity, of working together for a mutual cause,” says Tracie Bertrand, Director of Tourism, PKT. “Respect for the people, culture, and natural spaces we depend on, for future generations—for each other—has never been more important, and the O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge is meant to unify everyone for whom Peterborough & the Kawarthas lives within their hearts.”

“O’de Piitaanemaan” is the Ojibway word for “respect,” and comes from the teaching “mnaadendamowin” — to give respect to all creation. It is hoped that this pledge will encourage everyone to do their part in preserving and appreciating the earth.

The O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge is as follows:

• I pledge to be light on the land and wise on the water.

• I’ll explore my surroundings with an open heart, ask for help when I need it and be kind to strangers.

• Before starting my day, I’ll gear up, make a game plan and get wind of the weather.

• I’ll remember my miigwech’s, thank-you's and merci’s.

• With every new season, I’ll seek fresh experiences and flavours, trails and friends.

• I’ll place safety before sport when pedalling, paddling, parking or powerboating.

• Be it bison, baked goods or a crafty brew, I’ll buy local where I can.

• I’ll greet new cultures and traditional teachings with curiosity, kindness, and compassion.

• After feeding my soul with authentic adventures, I’ll take fond memories with me and leave nothing but footprints behind.

To take the O’de Piitaanemaan Pledge click here.

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