Roger Brooks Worshop Inspires Branding in Bruce County

Spruce the Bruce held its Workshop with Roger Brooks, of Destination Development International (DDI), on Nov 13 – Nov 15. Brook shares the lessons he’s learned over the past 30 years while helping over 1000 communities. This experience has made Brooks a master of the “art of differentiation”, or “branding”.

Both business owners and municipal officials from 11 Bruce County communities attended the 2.5 day workshop. All of them walked away inspired to help their towns become destinations that attract both locals and tourists alike.  Both the county and the communities now have solid brand directions and are going to be busy over the next couple of weeks as they explore these new directions.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Second Annual Marine Heritage Festival Announced for Saugeen Shores

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, the Marine Heritage Society and the town of Saugeen Shores are pleased to announce the second annual Marine Heritage Festival.  It will be held July 27-29, 2012.

 Families and Marine Heritage enthusiasts alike are invited to join us for 3 days of fun throughout Southampton.  The festival opens at the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre with opening ceremonies and a tour of the General Hunter/War of 1812 Exhibit.  Other activities throughout the weekend include a pancake breakfast, vintage boat show, BBQ lunch, cardboard boat challenge, a fish fry dinner and much more!

 Once again, the Chamber of Commerce is holding a Treasure Chest Hunt!  Festival-goers simply have to visit 6 participating business, find the treasure chest with the hidden number and enter it into the space beside the corresponding merchant.  Completed entries should be dropped of into the bin at the Southampton Visitor’s Centre.  The winner will be announced at Pioneer Park on Saturday July 28^th, during the Fish Fry.  The contest runs July 16 – 28.

A complete schedule of events is available at  http://www.brucemuseum.ca/calendar/marine-heritage-festival/, or call 1.866.318.8889 (toll free) or 519.797.2080

Workshop on Training for Tourism Diversity

Explore the Bruce has Invited You:
(excerpts from an Explore the Bruce News Release)

REGISTER NOW FOR OUR FIRST DIVERSITY TRAINING!

Each year more and more international tourists are visiting Bruce County. Our biggest challenges are: language barriers, cultural differences and communicating safety concerns. Guest Speaker, Michael Zhang will offer professional advice on how to make your business welcoming and safe for our New Canadians.

DMO’s and businesses have gained both a better reputation and a bigger share in the Chinese market through Michael’s help in providing better travel experiences to Chinese tourists. 

When & Where: Please select a workshop that best fits your schedule.

Workshop 1: Monday, May 28^th, 2012- 9am-11am: Tobermory Community Centre

Workshop 2: Tuesday, May 29^th, 2012- 5:30pm-7:30pm: Southampton Town Hall

 *Maximum 50 participants per workshop

Cost: $15 per person (HST Included)

Registration: Pre-registration is required by contacting Lisa Greig at lisa@explorethebruce.com or 1-800-268-3838.

 Please Register by May 23^rd, 2012.
Light refreshments will be offered at the workshop

 

OMAFRA Connects – February 2012

The latest edition of OMAFRA Connects is now available:

2012-02-01 – OMAFRA Conencts

Bridges to Better Business 2012 – Make Your Business a Destination with Chris Hughes

The Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre is pleased and excited to have Chris Hughes of BC Hughes Inc. as the guest speaker at our Bridges to Better Business event on Wednesday, February 29, 2012.

For speaker photo and bio, event details and registration info, visit our website.

Tickets are only $25 (HST included), so register now!

Canada Summer Jobs 2012

Interested in hiring a student this summer? Canada Summer Jobs is a Government of Canada initiative that provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students. It is designed to focus on local priorities, while helping both students and their communities.

The application process starts on February 1, 2012 and the closing date is February 29, 2012. For more info, check out the link below.

Canada Summer Jobs 2012

Tourism Spending Up in 3Q 2011 | Gifts and Tablewares

Stats Canada reports that tourism spending in Canada increased 0.8% in realterms in the third quarter of 2011.

Tourism Spending Up in 3Q 2011 | Gifts and Tablewares.

Trends in Social Tourism Marketing

Yfactor’s attached article shows how social media marketing has been used as an effective marketing tool in the tourism industry.

Trends in Social Tourism Marketing

Bridges to Better Business – February 29, 2012

Circle this date on your calendar now! Our Bridges to Better Business event will be held on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the Southampton Town Hall, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Chris Hughes, of BC Hughes and former Bruce County Tourism Manager, is the keynote speaker. Topic: How to Make Your Business a Destination. Hope you’re able to make it! More details on this exciting business event will follow in the new year.

Employer Awareness Workshop – November 30, 2011

As an employer in Bruce County, it is often difficult to know what agency or organization to turn to for help when running your business. The Four County Labour Market Planning Board, in partnership with the Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre, is making it easy by bringing seven agencies together under one roof on Wednesday, November 30th. The “Employer Awareness Workshop” starts at 7 p.m. at the old Southampton Town Hall – admission is free. For a list of presenters and how to register, click on the attachment below or call or email the Saugeen Shores Business Enterprise Centre at 519-832-2082 or smallbiz@saugeenshores.ca

Employer Awareness Flyer – Nov 2011