Enterprise Renfrew County (ERC) and the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) recently partnered to host the 2008 Bridges to Better Business conference Tourism’s Future…Now! held on Wednesday, October 23, 2008 at the Best Western Renfrew Inn in Renfrew, Ontario.

More than 140 tourism business operators and students came together to learn, share information and network.

Keynote Speaker Randy Williams, President & CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Paul Samson of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism started off the event with inspirational words.

Successful breakout sessions by Shawn Gallant, Jan Bonhomme, Janice Ketchen, Johanna Kaeppner and a panel of Government Programs provided valuable information to local business professionals and students who attended the event.

Through the cooperation of the Ottawa Valley Food Co-op, locally produced foods and beverages, including a Made in the Valley lunch, were available throughout the event. Stone Fence Theatre provided entertainment over lunch with storytelling, stepdancing and singing.

Special thanks go out to the funding partners - the Ministry of Small Business & Consumer Services and the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre, as well as the many sponsors below who helped make the day a success.

Copies of the speaker presentations are now available
(click the links below to begin download):

• Canada’s Tourism Competitiveness (584kb) - Randy Williams,
  President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Canada
• Tourism Demand Generators (3,392kb) – Paul Samson,
  Tourism Industry Advisor, Ontario Ministry of Tourism
• How to Attract Visitors to Your Business (1,223kb)– Janice Ketchen,
  President, Ontario Tourism Network
• Festivals & Events: Making an Economic Impact (2,248kb) – Jan Bonhomme,
  Event Consultant
• Search Engine Optimization (5,074kb)– Shawn Gallant,
  Gallant Media

The success of the this event would not be possible without our generous supporters.

 Sponsors: