Sandbox Sessions – Winter 2023
The Sandbox Sessions have been designed to bring together small groups of industry colleagues to “play” around with a series of FREE themed sessions delivered in a very informal and interactive setting. Each session will be led by an industry leader who will provide a brief presentation on a practice or idea they have been focusing on within their business or community. The goal of these sessions is to create a space to share ideas during these crazy times and to share thoughts, questions and ideas with like-minded colleagues!
Format
The Sandbox Sessions have a very simple and informal format. We will be using the online platform Zoom to bring together 12-16 industry colleagues. What we ask is that you come ready to interact, share your ideas, ask your questions and simply just be willing to share. Registration for these sessions are taken on a first come, first served basis and are free to industry. We will record and post the sessions.
The Sandbox Sessions
Topic: People, Places and Culture
Tuesday, February 28, 2023 – 10:00 – 11:15 AM AST (10:30 – 11:45 AM NT)
Every community has its own heritage resources and stories that make it unique: historic homes, outbuildings and neighbourhoods, place names, old trails, traditional stories, individuals with particular knowledge, and intangible cultural heritage. A community’s heritage assets can be valuable tools for community development and the retention of community identity and pride. Cultural resources are also an important pillar for the province’s tourism industry. Terra will touch on the importance of these resources in this session which will also include case studies of communities and groups who are incorporating culture into their communities and their tourism experiences. Terra holds a BA in Folklore and a MA in Public Folklore from Memorial University as well as a Social Media Certificate from Algonquin College. She is currently documenting untold histories, traditional skills, and the associated narratives of Newfoundland and Labrador’s historic places. Previously for Heritage NL, Terra conducted fieldwork in several communities, and worked with the Collective Memories Project and the Oral History Roadshow. She volunteers as the chair of Mummers Festival, and has experience working with MUNFLA, Them Days Inc., The Rooms, and Mummers Festival.
Presenter: Terra Barrett, Intangible Cultural Heritage Program Planner, Heritage NL
Watch the recording HERE
Topic: The Case For 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusivity
Tuesday, March 7, 2023 – 10:00 – 11:15 AM AST (10:30 – 11:45 AM NT)
Loren Christie from Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce will discuss how to capture the LGBT+ travel market and how to effectively understand, value and serve your LGBT+ employees and customers. Learn why inclusivity requires conscious effort, why it’s important and some ways you can ensure you are providing a safe and inclusive space for your 2SLGBTQ+ employees and guests. Loren will also outline programs offered by Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber that will assist you in working with this market. Loren Christie is the Director of Business Development & Strategy at the CGLCC – Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce. He has worked in Tourism & Hospitality for 25 + years in various leadership roles most notably with Starwood Hotels and Resorts and Destination Toronto. For the last two years he has been running his own consulting and project management company. After the CGLCC brought him on to assist with their Tourism Programs on a part-time basis, he recently joined them full time to spread the word on all of their programs designed to assist LGBT+ entrepreneurs. He also sits on the ED & I Committee for the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
Presenter: Loren Christie, Director of Business Development & Strategy, Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce, Toronto, ON
Watch the recording HERE
Topic: Best practices in growing culinary and agritourism at the destination level
Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – 10:00 – 11:15 AM AST (10:30 – 11:45 AM NT)
Food and drink are recognized as important pillars in developing a vibrant and competitive tourism sector in Canada’s Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. The benefits of growing food tourism sustainably are many. It is recognized by tourists and destination marketers globally as an important driver in selecting and returning to a destination and can play a significant role in preserving local heritage while building on existing tourism assets and driving innovation. By increasing visitor demand for local food and drink, food tourism contributes to the long-term sustainability of local agriculture, food systems, communities, and culture. Join Valerie O’Halloran with the Culinary Tourism Alliance to explore best practices in food tourism development. In this session, the CTA will showcase the process and outcomes of two recent community development projects in rural Ontario that supported each destination’s unique approach to growing culinary and agritourism. Valerie is an enterprising foodie who is inspired by the power of food to create meaningful connections and build resilient rural communities locally and globally. As Director of Business Development at the Culinary Tourism Alliance, she leads the professional services stream, supporting destinations worldwide to develop community-led sustainable economic growth through robust culinary tourism strategies and products.
Presenter: Valerie O’Halloran, Director, Business Development , Culinary Tourism Alliance, Toronto, ON
Watch the recording HERE
Topic: Zero Waste: One Event at a Time
Tuesday, March 21, 2023 – 10:00 – 11:15 AM AST (10:30 – 11:45 AM NT)
If you are involved with a festival or event and would like to reduce your waste and environmental impact, join Sue and Heather as they take you on a journey to learn how to look beyond recycling and work towards Zero Waste, one event at a time. This session will help you to learn simple strategies in putting off Zero Waste Events. When it comes to events, education is key and this session will help you to understand the circular nature of product and production. They will also discuss how to communicate consistently and effectively. Sue & Heather work with Recycle Florida Today, the state of Florida’s recycling organization. Sue is responsible for implementing and managing the Solid Waste Disposal Districts recycling and waste diversion program. Heather works with the Board to provide value to membership by promoting resource conservation and environmental stewardship in Florida through sustainable source and waste prevention, (reduction reuse, recycling, composting) and legislative advocacy.
Presenters: Susan Flak, Recycling Coordinator and Marketing Director, Indian River County, FL & Heather Armstrong, Executive Director of Recycle Florida Today (RFT), Ocala, FL
Watch the recording HERE
Topic: The Art of Networking
Tuesday, March 28, 2023 – 10:00 – 11:15 AM AST (10:30 – 11:45 AM NT)
Let’s be honest, networking isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Events can feel awkward, in particular when you arrive alone and need to work the room by yourself. Small talk can only take you so far, and then what? Exchange a card, (if those are still kicking around) and then move along. Pair that with the fact that most of us haven’t been attending many events or activities of this nature in the last number of years and it’s safe to say we might be a little rusty. And networking doesn’t just happen in a formal or professional setting, the opportunity is everywhere. Your next supplier might be at the rink or your next hire may be at the Farmers’ Market. The same skills and tools can be applied to each. In the end, every interaction you have gives you the opportunity to leave a lasting impression on you and your business. Ultimately you’d like to leave a positive one. Join Kerry Anne MacDougall, Founder of Insight Studio as she walks you through networking tips that will transform the way you network. Learn how to slide in and out of conversations with ease, never find yourself stuck in awkward silence again and gently exit a conversation when you’re feeling stuck. The art of networking means you’re having better conversations, feeling more confident and securing new opportunities with ease. Kerry Anne is a passionate speaker who has presented to hundreds of leaders across Atlantic Canada on the power of connection and delivering meaningful stories. As a brand coach she works one on one with founders and their teams to build and strengthen relationships with their audiences. Fifteen years ago she founded Insight Studio which has now become an award winning, seven-figure digital agency.
Presenter: Kerry Anne MacDougall, Founder of Insight Studio, Charlottetown, PE
Watch the recording HERE