Invitation to a Celebrate Ontario Grant Application Workshop
Celebrate Ontario 2013 is now open for applications!

Celebrate Ontario is an annual program through the Ministry of Culture & Sport that helps new and existing festivals and events enhance their programs, activities and services by increasing visitor attendance and spending. The program also supports bid and event hosting costs of major one-time events and festivals attracting out-of-province visitors through the Blockbuster category.

This support helps grow tourism in the province by making it easier for event organizers to offer new and improved experiences that will attract more tourists and increase visitor spending.

• Tier 1 (Main Stage) – Festivals or events with operating budgets less than $250,000 will be eligible for up to $40,000.
• Tier 2 (Main Stage) – Festivals or events with operating budgets between $250,000 and $1 million will be eligible for up to $75,000.
• Tier 3 (Signature) – Festivals or events with operating budgets in excess of $1 million will be eligible for up to $350,000.
The deadline for applications for Main Stage and Signature grants is November 20, 2012. Full details, including what’s eligible, how to apply, and when to apply are available on the Ministry program website.
Check out this link for some great Success Stories

ONTARIO’S LAKE COUNTRY is organizing this workshop for the local festivals and events that attract tourists to the region. Our local Ministry Representative Christine Anderson will lead this workshop and help to answer any questions you might have about Celebrate Ontario Main Stage and Signature 2013 grant applications and the process. This will provide information and details on the program to suitable, tourism focused events. You should come prepared to discuss your event and have a good understanding of the application and program. Let’s work together and make Ontario’s Lake Country the best year round vacation destination!!

Lunch provided courtesy of BruceGreySimcoe (RTO7)

RSVP: By October 5th, 2012, Please reserve your spot today, seats are limited to two people per event. Please pass this invitation along if there is someone on your event committee who might be more suitable to attend.

BRING: A list of any questions you may have, ensure you have reviewed the information on the Celebrate Ontario website

Important: as a new online process is being used this year, applicants should register as soon as possible via the new Grants Ontario web-based application system.
Applicants must register with the Government of Ontario’s encrypted ONe-key log-in system at Grants Ontario as users and apply online. You are strongly encouraged to register for your ONe-key password as soon as possible to ensure you meet the application deadline. This must be completed one week prior to the workshop (October 9, 20120) to ensure you have your One-Key
Quick instructions for Grants Ontario ONe-key Log-in ID and Password:
1. Go to the "How to Apply" page of the Grants Ontario portal
2. Watch the instructional video or view the online reference guides.
For problems with the ONe-key registration process please contact Service Ontario at (416) 326-1234 or 1-800-267-8097.
3. Once you have received your ONe-key password, follow the directions provided to create your Grants Ontario Log-in and password.
For problems with Grants Ontario Log-in and password please contact Grants Ontario Customer Service at (416) 325-6691 or 1-855-216-3090, or GrantsOntarioCS@Ontario.ca.


Some other important information for review and consideration:
Priority will be given to tourism festivals and events that demonstrate:
• A solid project plan with strong tourism rationale and ability to sustain the proposed tourism project over the next three years.
• Strong organizational and leadership capacity capable of delivering proposed tourism project.
• Commitment to growing their tourism market.
• Community support for the event, with particular emphasis on support from tourism and hospitality businesses.
• Strong economic and tourism impact.
• Strategies or activities that increase tourist visitation and spending.
• Extended visitor length of stay.
• Sustainable tourism development and marketing plans.

The allocation of Celebrate Ontario 2013 funding among Tier 1 (Main Stage), Tier 2 (Main Stage) and Tier 3 (Signature) tourism festivals and
events will be determined by the number of applications approved in each category.

Please note:
• the value of in-kind expenses or contributions; and/or
• potential Celebrate Ontario 2013 funding are not to be included in determining operating budget size and Tier 1 (Main Stage), Tier 2
(Main Stage), or Tier 3 (Signature) applicant eligibility.
In addition, the cash-operating budget must be for the specific tourism festival or event for which the proposed tourism project funding will be
applied and not for the organization applying.

PLEASE MAKE SURE TO: Register for your One-Key, RSVP for the workshop and review the details on the website to prepare prior to the workshop!!