You are Here:  Home / Industry Site / Sense the WOW, 2011 Fall Tourism Conference

You are invited to the 12th Annual Grey-Bruce Regional Tourism Conference. The "Sense the Wow" conference is a one day event that will take place at the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) Family Education Centre in Port Elgin Wednesday, October 26, 2011 between 8:30am-4:00pm.

 

To attract and retain our visitors, we all need to provide them with an experience and let them leave feeling the WOW. Just a simple "hello", asking our visitors how they are and giving them the feeling that they belong in our communities goes a long way. Our visitor feedback is important, so it is crucial that we understand what our visitors need and want. Our conference speakers offer expert and applicable advice to help us leave our visitors feeling the WOW!
 
 

 

Our Highlights
 
Keynote Speakers
The day’s lineup includes two amazing keynote speakers: Valeri Leblanc from Places Consulting and Theresa Syers from Syers Hospitality Group. Both will speak to creating a sense of ‘place’ and providing the ‘WOW’ guest experience for visitors to the area. LeBlanc recently completed a study for the newly appointed RT07 region which highlighted the regions strengths and enhancements seasonally. She will speak to some of her findings and discuss ‘Sense of Place’. Syer will be discussing the ‘WOW Factor’ and ‘Guest Experiences’.  She will motivate us and educate us on how to provide a WOW experience for our visitors. Both guests speakers will offer expert and applicable advice to help us adapt and prosper.

Expanding our Menu
This year, lunch will feature local foods from Grey and Bruce. Chef Paul Johnson is aware that we need to respond to our new markets with relevant products and then find ways to draw consumers to our places of business. He will be expanding his menu and creating dishes inspired by the cooking of countries such as Thailand, China and India. 

 
Wine and Beer Sampling
We have a total of six breweries and vineyards in Grey and Bruce Counties. Join us before lunch to sample some of our award-winning local beer and wine.
 
Charlie Kelly Award
This award honors the memory of Charlie Kelly, the Owen Sound Alderman who began Winter Tourism for Owen Sound. The award has been presented over the past 30 years to the individual that has contributed the most for Tourism in Grey and Bruce Counties in the past year. 

 
Success Story
Celebrate tourism innovation and initiative as we explore success stories of Grey and Bruce Counties. Two successful tourism operators will share their stories.