The Voice Of The Festivals & Special Events Industry in Ontario
Festivals & Events Ontario serves as the “voice” of the festivals & events industry within the province. Established in 1987 and located in Woodstock, Ontario, this not-for-profit association has a membership of approximately 400 festival & event organizations (which cumulatively represent about 1,000 different Ontario festivals or events), plus an additional 200 industry supplier members. These festivals or event organizations are also mainly operated on a not-for-profit basis, with their own elected Boards of Directors and/or management teams. Many are operated under the jurisdiction of a municipal government organization or associated body; although some of the largest budget “festivals & events of distinction” generate important levels of non-local domestic and international tourism patronage. As such, the industry serves as a major tourism demand generator and delivers a significant level of positive financial economic impact for the province.
FEO’s strategic focus is in: education and professional development, marketing and advocacy. On the education & professional development front, FEO orchestrates an annual industry Conference, consisting of 4 days of industry networking, educational seminars, a trade marketplace and entertainment that showcases some of the very best talent available for engagement. In conjunction with the International Festivals & Events Association, FEO also facilitates the industry’s Certified Festivals & Events Executive (CFEE) professional development program.
From a marketing perspective, FEO annually produces and distributes a consumer Guide highlighting over 700 individual festivals & events, awards its prestigious TOP 100 festivals & events in Ontario designation, showcases the industry through its www.festivalsandeventsinontario.ca website and conducts market research to source wisdom for the industry. Increasingly, FEO has become active in representing the interests of its members on the advocacy and government relations front.
2009 / 2010 Festivals & Events In Ontario Guide Available
Festivals & Events Ontario, in partnership with the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, has produced the Festivals & Events In Ontario Guide for 2009 / 2010. With more than 750 festivals and events listed, this one-of-a-kind consumer publication is the ultimate source for festival and event listings throughout Ontario.
250,000 guides will be distributed this season. 190,000 will be distributed all around the province by the Ontario Marketing Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation; 40,000 copies will be distributed along the 400/401 corridors at Tourism Information kiosks; the remaining 20,000 are distributed through listings and general inquiries received at FEO.
The festivals and events included in the guide are part of a large universe of more than 3,000 festivals and community events staged annually in Ontario, ranging from one-day street fairs to internationally renowned, multi-day celebrations. The industry creates thousands of jobs, engages tens of thousands of community volunteers and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact within Ontario communities annually.
Additional copies of the Festivals & Events In Ontario Guide can be obtained by contacting 1-800-Ontario or by calling the Festivals & Events Ontario office at (519) 537-2226. For additional event listings, please visit www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca or www.ontariotravel.net. NEW THIS YEAR, all valid website addresses in the pdf version of the 2009/2010 Events Guide are hotlinked!
Celebrate Ontario Information
For a listing of Celebrate Ontario recipients click here.
Apply for Celebrate Ontario 2009
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