Tourism Investment Fund

Application Guidelines:

1. Not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply
2. The event venue(s) and host hotel(s) must be located in Oakville
3. Events must generate a minimum of 20 total room nights in Oakville accommodations
4. Applicants may submit up to a maximum of two applications per calendar year
5. While applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, applications should be submitted a minimum of two months prior to the event
6. Funds will be awarded based on the evaluation criteria and as determined by
   Visit Oakville.
7. Funds will be awarded up to a maximum of $5,000.

Eligible Events:

• Regional, provincial, national and international tournaments and events
• Conferences, symposiums, AGMs – so long as they are more than one day

Evaluation Criteria (100 points):

1. Review of the application. All sections must be complete and demonstrate the ability of the applicant to deliver an exceptional event. (10 points)
2. Number of anticipated room nights. Room nights have a direct correlation with the economic impact of a given event. Therefore, the selection committee will consider this prime criteria. (35 points)
3. Ability to leave a legacy in Oakville. This could include purchase of equipment left to an Oakville organization, hosting a clinic, school visits by players or spokespeople, use of event to grow a sport or hobby locally, etc. (20 points)
4. Potential for additional economic impact. This could be achieved by hosting a dinner or team-building activity, visiting local attractions, tours, etc. (20 points)
5. Possibility of continuation of this event or of hosting new events in the future. (10 points)
6. Miscellaneous high profile, potential for media coverage, seed/start-up, events generating extended stays, etc. (5 points)

Requirements of Recipients:

• Fund recipients must sign an agreement with Visit Oakville accepting the fund’s terms and conditions which include:
  • Acknowledgement of Visit Oakville on the organization’s/event’s website, social media and on all promotional material related to the event
  • Distributing (digitally and/or hard copy) Visit Oakville promotional material to attendees
  • Providing Visit Oakville with a minimum of three high-resolution photos of the event for use in future marketing efforts
  • Providing space at the event for Visit Oakville display, tent or other promotional opportunity
  • Tickets and/or invitations to the event
• Fund recipients must submit a final report to Visit Oakville within 60 days after the completion of the event that includes:
  • Written confirmation from Oakville accommodations confirming the actual number of room nights generated from the event
  • The total number of event attendees
  • The percent of event attendees who travelled over 80 km one way to attend the event
  • Description of the event’s ability to leave a legacy in Oakville
  • Description of additional activities that impacted the event’s economic impact
  • Samples of marketing material illustrating recognition of Visit Oakville