News Around Town – October 2021

Member Announcements

We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new members:

Ye Ye is enrolled in the 2021-2022 Events Management Program at Algonquin College. She is currently an events’ intern for Lavish Events. She is open to opportunities in the events’ industry.


Aaron Veitch is an experienced audiovisual technician working for Encore Global overseeing set up and on site production.

Member Updates

Congratulations to Lori Wagner on her new position as Sales Director at Fairmont Chateau Laurier.

Congratulations to Nancy Bradshaw on her new position as Business Development Manager for Destination St. John’s. Nancy recently made the change after three years as Business Development Manager for Tourism Saskatoon.

Congratulations to Desmond Lomas for starting a new position as Business Development Account Manager with Explore Edmonton.

Congratulations to Lizzy Low for being promoted to Manager, Business Events with Ottawa Tourism. Previously Lizzy was a Project Coordinator, Business Events with Ottawa Tourism.

Ontario cautiously lifting limits in select settings
As of Friday October 8^th, 2021, the Province of Ontario is cautiously lifting capacity limits in select indoor and outdoor settings where proof of vaccination is required, as well as certain outdoor settings that have a capacity below 20,000. This gradual and incremental approach will continue to help protect people and ensure the province continues to cautiously lift public health measures safely.

Effective Saturday October 9^th, 2021, at 12:01 a.m., capacity limits were lifted to allow 100 per cent capacity in the following settings:

• Concert venues, theatres and cinemas,
• Spectator areas of facilities for sports and recreational fitness (would not include gyms, personal training),
• Meeting and event spaces (indoor meeting and event spaces will still need to limit capacity to the number that can maintain physical distancing),
• Horseracing tracks, car racing tracks, and other similar venues; and
• Commercial film and television productions with studio audiences.

Capacity limits will continue to remain in effect in all other remaining settings at this time.
To read the press release click here

Ontario Vaccine Certificate with QR Code
Since September 22^nd, 2021, residents in the province have needed proof of vaccination to visit some non-essential businesses and services in Ontario.

How will the new Verify Ontario app for businesses work?
Verify Ontario is a free QR code scanner for businesses that can be used to scan QR codes on the enhanced vaccine certificates. The app will not store any personal information.

When can I download the enhanced vaccine certificate?
People with a green photo health card can start downloading the new certificate on Oct. 15. It is available on the COVID-19 vaccination portal, but it was initially only be available in cohorts based on date of birth, but is now open to all.

Does the enhanced certificate work for people with only one vaccine dose?
The QR code when scanned will not generate approval or a checkmark if the individual is not yet fully vaccinated.
To read full press release click here

Quebec Capacity Limits Lifted
As of June 28^th, 2021, Québec City is in the green zone regarding the COVID-19 situation in the province. By a new ministerial order (067-2021) published on October 8, 2021, the Québec government now authorizes conventions and conferences with no limit of participants per room.

Events with 250 people or less:

– Vaccination passport required (some exceptions apply)
– Face covering must be worn when traveling (can be removed once seated)
– Physical distancing required (1 meter)

Full capacity events with seating:
– Vaccination passport required
– Face covering must be worn at all times
– No separation between seats in the rooms

To learn more, click here: Meetings Quebec

Canada-U.S. will reopen land border in November
Starting November 8^th, 2021, the United States will be opening its land and sea border to non-essential fully vaccinated Canadian travellers for the first time since March 2020.

Individuals with mixed-dose vaccinations are now considered eligible as well based on recent CDC guideline updates.

What is considered “fully vaccinated”?
Travelers are considered fully vaccinated if they have had both doses of a two-dose vaccine or one dose of a single-dose regimen at least two weeks before the travel date. 

Will mixed doses be accepted?
The U.S. has reported that they will recognize travelers who have been fully vaccinated with any vaccine approved or recognize for emergency use by the World Health Organization or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance issued earlier this week for air travel. 

Canada’s rules unchanged…
For now, the Government of Canada’s travel rules and restrictions remain unchanged for Canadians who are entering back into the country from the U.S. That means that, to get back into Canada—whether hours or days after entering the U.S.—travelers will need to negative PCR test within 72 hours of a planned entry into Canada

To read full press release click here: Canada-U.S. Border

Industry News in General

Conference with confidence in Ottawa
Ottawa Tourism has design tools to help you safely plan your next convention or your next meeting.

1-Conference financing 
Ottawa Tourism is offering financial support starting at $25,000 to host your next qualifying major conference or event. Contact Ottawa Tourism to find out if your event qualifies for financial support plus services on the ground and more.

2-Delegate Journey Map
Ottawa is an experienced hosting destination that has adjusted to the new realities and concerns facing meeting professionals and delegates. As a diverse, mid-sized destination, Ottawa is both welcoming and safe. And our venues have technology solutions in place to expertly accommodate your event needs. View the Delegate Journey Roadmap

To get started submitting your RFP today: Submit a request for proposal | Ottawa Tourism

Ottawa Tourism Launched Job Board
Struggling to hire staff to meet your tourism business’ growing customer demand? Let Ottawa Tourism help to amplify your job postings!

To help address the tourism and hospitality workforce issues that are currently being experienced locally, Ottawa Tourism has developed a new Work in Tourism Job Board where tourism businesses can upload job postings (for free!), leveraging Ottawa Tourism’s expansive marketing and communication channels to further reach prospective employees looking to join our traditionally lucrative and fulfilling industry. The easy-to-use job board, which is set to be officially launched after Thanksgiving, will be accompanied by a targeted local campaign to encourage and amplify the job opportunities that are currently available in our sector. Postings can be submitted in either English or French.

Submit a job posting here: Submit a job posting | Ottawa Tourism

Shaw Centre’s world-class food donations boost morale
During the pandemic, our friends at the Centre Shaw Centre adapted to serve their clients while still remembering the less fortunate in our community. Every month, they’ve donated food to our shelter — everything from egg rolls and samosas to cinnamon buns and smoked meat brisket.

To read full article click here: Shaw Centre's world-class food donations boost morale for clients - Ottawa Mission


Free learning resources for tourism operators and destination partners
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) launched the Elevating Canadian Experiences (ECE) program to help tourism stakeholders seize innovative opportunities in culinary tourism and in the winter and shoulder seasons (WSS). 

The ECE program was conceived as a series of in-person workshops held in rural and remote areas. But the program launch dovetailed with the pandemic and, like so many organizations, we needed to pivot. 

Start your learning journey today by clicking here

Upcoming Industry Events

In 2022, MPI turns 50! We’re celebrating by collecting YOUR stories and memories of what MPI has meant to you and your profession. Share your video stories today. #MPI50
mpi.org/mpi50

MPI Ottawa


📅 Thursday, October 21^st virtually from 5:00-6:30pm (EST)
The MPI Ottawa Prix Prestige Awards are designed to recognize excellence in active chapter members for their commitment, service and involvement in the chapter or industry and community at large.

We’ve all overcome a challenging year and look forward to “opening the door” into the new future! Let’s celebrate our nominees and winners as they “unlock” their path forward!  

MPI Ottawa’s Prix Prestige Awards reflect the best of the best in the meetings industry and are awarded each year under the following categories: Planner of the Year, Supplier of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Student of the Year, and Rising Star. There are also two special categories bestowed at the discretion of the President: Honourary Member, and the President’s Award. #Celebratingexcellence

📅 Tuesday October 19^th and Wednesday October 20^th from 10am to 5:00pm (EST) at Metro Toronto Convention Centre
A new format for the Canadian Meetings + Events Market will be launched. First and foremost, we will provide a safe environment and follow all health and safety guidelines at the time of the show.

The show floor will be full of suppliers ready to connect from Canadian, US and International destinations, venues, tech companies, décor and more.

The new format will see the education sessions run consecutively with the trade show floor allowing you to connect with suppliers, network and learn in one amazing and dynamic space.

Best of all…it’s FREE to all qualified meeting professionals!  This is our way of giving back to you and the industry we love to serve!

To register click here: Passes + Pricing | CANADIAN MEETINGS + EVENTS EXPO (cmeexpo.ca)

Article written and compiled by Elodie LORTAL, CMP, DES | LinkedIn at National Arts Centre | Centre national des Arts: My Company | LinkedIn

Article edited by Darlene Kelly-Stewart, Stonehouse Sales & Marketing Services.