Resorts discuss Ontario RTOs

Resorts of Ontario staff and convention delegates were enlisted as models in a whimsical fashion show featuring clothes from Sam Group. More photos on the Web.

COLLINGWOOD, ON—It was showtime at the Blue Mountain Resort March 23 and 24, as Mark Rich, director of sales at the resort, who also happens to be chair of Resorts of Ontario, hosted the association’s annual meeting and trade show.

Ontario’s 13 new regional tourism organizations (RTOs) was the topic on the minds of convention delegates. They were the subject of both a presentation by Michael Kurts, assistant deputy minister of the provincial Ministry of Tourism & Culture, and the popular Resorts of Ontario bearpit, where resort owners engage in frank discussion.

Kurts ended his presentation by encouraging resort owners to work quickly to put the regional boards together and determine regional needs.

“There is $65 million available in fiscal 2010/2011 and fiscal 2011/2012. Work has to begin this spring into next year. This summer will see the beginning of money to flow to people—that’s a fairly aggressive timeline.”

At the Bear Pit, conversation centred on how the resort owners could best work with their regions, and the possible role Resorts of Ontario could play to ensure cross-marketing among the regions.

This year’s trade show format included a few new twists—a chance for suppliers to demonstrate their products onstage, and a fashion show using resort owners, Resorts of Ontario staff and trade show exhibitors as impromptu models.

The President’s Evening featured a wine tasting, and a procession of past presidents led by Anne Marshall of Elmhirst Resorts, carrying the torch she held in the Olympic Torch Relay.

Members of the Resorts of Ontario executive at the association’s AGM held March 23 at Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood. L to R, Greg Elmhirst, Elmhirst Resort, Sheila Maxwell, The Briars Resort, Mark Rich, Blue Mountain Resort, Mark Downing, Fern Resort, Anne Marshall, Elmhirst Resort and Rob Wallace, Foxwood Resort.