Engaging Youth in Your Community ~ Peterborough Garden Show ~ Interview

Interview with Cauleen Viscoff ~ 
Peterborough
Garden Show

“A picture says a thousand words” … then there was the Peterborough Garden Show!

The Peterborough Garden Show is truly a “Magical Place” for gardeners, photographers, grandparents, young families and children who can enjoy a fabulous time at one of “Ontario’s best Garden Shows”!

At the Peterborough Garden Show there is so much more to offer than just a “picture”! The Peterborough Garden Show offers “Free advice”, seminars, knowledge, relaxing elegant rest areas with natural surroundings of a “park-like” atmosphere, fabulous children’s interactive areas, art show, great food in relaxing atmosphere and so much more!

In the dead of the winter, with spring just around the corner and the Peterborough Garden Show held on a special weekend this year, April 2^nd – 4^th, 2015 and may be just what the soul needs to rejuvenate your skills, inspirations and spirit!

Peterborough Garden Show
Spring is in the Air

I have the privilege to get “THE INSIDE SCOOP” from co-chair Cauleen Viscoff. Our acquaintance and friend Margaret Higgins, committee member, offered me the opportunity to get the “SCOOP” from their “dynamo” co-chair. Margaret herself is a “dynamo”, always willing to share her insight, knowledge, wisdom, ideas and enthusiasm with anything to do with flowers, plants, gardening, and or course, the Peterborough Garden Show.

“Engaging Youth in your Community”!

The Peterborough Garden Show has been working with the community youth and in particular, those at a local high school where they have integrated a unique program in the students’ curriculum. The woodworking class takes generously donated lumber and creates “garden chairs” or “stools”, and this year “bird houses”. Then, the art class takes over and hand-paints floral designs on the stools, and birdhouses. This year, the Peterborough Garden Show is allocating “booth space” so garden show attendees can purchase the stools and birdhouses which the students are proud to share and show to their families and friends.

Two high schools are competing this year in a floral competition, creating small centre pieces that should create additional beauty and excitement to the Show!

Many skills are acquired during these projects. The students take a theme, create a design, and learn to work within the deadline parameters, execute their visions and finish the projects. Not only do the students gain the “community hours” required for their graduations from high school, they gain confidence, pride in their contribution to their school, community, family and themselves.

The Peterborough Garden Show believes it is important to engage not only the students, but the young families in the community in helping all types of gardeners, from the first-timers, to the dreamers and the experienced. There is something for everyone’s garden no matter how small or big.

In that vein, this year, they have a Garden Show Marketplace where small farmers or market gardeners can rent a table to sell their home grown or made wares, like veggies, honey, goat cheese etc.

Stay tuned for Part 2 of our wonderful interview with Co-Chair, Cauleen Viscoff; Peterborough Garden Show. In the meantime, you can check out the Peterborough Garden Show at http://www.peterboroughgardenshow.com.

Tourism in Small Communities throughout Canada … “Keep Exploring”! ~ Interview Minister Bernier

Tourism in Small Communities throughout Canada … “Keep Exploring”!

“THE INSIDE SCOOP” ~ Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) focus on Canadian Tourism continues …

Ontario Festivals Visited
Judi "Scoop" McWilliams
On way to Interview Minister Bernier

Considering the importance of Tourism in Canada, we wanted to discuss with Minister Bernier what smaller communities across the country could do to encourage development of this increasingly important aspect of our economic development and future?

Social media and marketing methods have changed. Our audience and potential visitors are becoming savvier as technology has created a desire to “see the experience”. If they can visualize the experience in a quick moment, they are more apt to come.

We are in competition with other Countries to attract visitors. To keep that in mind, Canada is very aware and is concentrating on marketing to Tourists “Seasonally”, attracting visitors year round to our rich and diverse Country.

As with our Ontario Visited coverage, one of our goals in promoting Tourism in Canada is to engage Canadian youth and Canadian seniors to travel in Canada. Why travel abroad, when your own Country has so much to offer.

Ontario Festivals Visited now offers and Canada Visited will be offering a Canada Visited Youth & Senior Correspondent Program during our Tour, where we will be encouraging Canadian’s, young and old, to submit their contributions to share in their experiences of Canada for all Canadians and visitors from around the world.

Minister Bernier agrees with us that it is important to engage New Canadians to contribute their stories and share with the world the diversity that Canada is comprised of. Minister Bernier tells us that we need to “listen to them”. Their connection to their New Country and their contributions will enhance the Canadian experience. Again, we encourage you to check out the Canadian Tourism Commission (http://en-corporate.canada.travel) to see a host of information you might find helpful and interesting at the same time.

"Keep Exploring"
Canada Visited

Ontario Festivals Visited
thank you to
Minister Bernier 
for his time and sharing!

The make-up of Canada is very fortunate to have such a diversity of history, landscape, natural wonders of the world, culture, and most importantly its people. The volunteers of our country contribute an enormous part of the success of Tourism in Canada. Be proud … Keep exploring your Country and welcome others to explore along with you! 

Rendez-vous Canada … Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier

Rendez-vous Canada …

“THE INSIDE SCOOP” ~ Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) focus on Canadian Tourism continues …

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Visited with
Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier
Rendez-vous Canada was recently held in Vancouver where Minister Bernier was in attendance. This was a four day conference where over 1,500 tourism professionals shared their unique Canadian experiences, and create awareness to potentially draw some of the hundreds of millions of Tourism dollars towards their experiences.

Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is Canada’s premier international tourism marketplace lead by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), connecting international buyers with Canadian sellers of tourism products.

To describe the types of Tourism agencies that attend Rendez-vous Canada, I will break it down as they have defined the categories.

Buyers are qualified and nominated by the CTC in consultation with provincial government organizations and industry partners. Seller Organizations are qualified and selected by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) in consultation with CTC, provinces, territories and the private sector. Destination Marketing Organizations include the provincial and territorial governments, and regional tourist associations, along with visitor and convention bureaus. Finally, Tourism Mall Organizations include other government departments, industry associations, airport authorities, internet service providers and travel trade media who provide information and services related to the tourism industry.

The event, held annually in a different Canadian city, reunites tourism industry leaders gathered for a series of speed-dating-style appointments. International buyers seek the best-matched Canadian tourism sellers. The end result: travelers get to choose from the best selection of Canadian experiences. 2014 is a year of “momentum” in the Canadian tourism industry to get on the Inside Track.

Rendez-vous Canada offers interactive and dynamic session that provide attendees current and insightful information on each of CTC’s ten leisure markets by combining consumer perspective, market trends and research, as well as key travel trade account and receptive tour operator insights. 

Ontario Visited ~ Canada Visited
Exploring Canada!

As an aside, when speaking of Canadian Tourism, Bernier cautions, we as Canadian’s, must be sure when we share our “Canadian Tourism Commission signature experiences” to our visitors, including fellow Canadians  and visitors from Abroad, we do so with respect and pride. We need to keep working together; collaboratively in communities across the Country to benefit everyone. Collaborative marketing programs may also enhance the ease of the experience for both organizers and visitors alike. Tourism Packaging, such as “eat drink, play, stay, experiences” is common already in the industry. Be sure to check out the Canadian Tourism Commission (http://en-corporate.canada.travel) to see a host of information you might find helpful and interesting at the same time.

Stay tuned to “THE INSIDE SCOOP” Series of Interview Blog articles with the Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) … “Tourism in Small Communities throughout Canada”

Challenges for Tourism in Canada ~ A Bright Future ~ Interview with Minister Bernier

Challenges for Tourism in Canada~ as Canadian Minister Maxime Bernier shares his insight …

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams, Festival Nomad Gary McWilliams
Ontario Visited with
Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier

“THE INSIDE SCOOP” ~ Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) focus on Canadian Tourism continues …

We now ask Honourable Minister Maxime Bernier what challenges does he foresee in increasing Tourism in Canada (domestic and international visitors) and could he share any future plans the Canadian Government has in mind or in place to accomplish increases?

Minister Bernier tells us there is a “bright future for Tourism in Canada”. One of the challenges is the “visa” process. While there are “visa” mechanisms in place, not all travelers are aware of the programs that are already in place. Minister Bernier and the Immigration Minister are working together on programs to make travelling into Canada more accessible. They are working in an effective manner to create programs where visitors can maneuver through the systems, making travel accessible on a quick and timely manner.

Minister Bernier’s office reports that Citizenship and Immigration Canada has almost 130 Visa Application Centres in 92 countries.

In order to visit Canada, citizens of other countries and territories will require a visa. This type of visa is called Visitor Visas. To obtain a visa you must be ready to answer a couple of questions. The questions are specifically designed to ascertain the reason of visit. Electronic travel authorization ~ Canada plans to introduce an electronic travel authorization for visa-free eligible nationals in April 2015. Minister Bernier tells us China has a program in place with Canada for “approved destinations” exit visas. If the visitor is coming to an “approved destination”, the visas are more accessible for them.

Increasing awareness of the programs in place is part of the Canadian Tourism challenge. Visitors from around the world may not know that travelling, even at this point in time, has become more accessible and the process easier. The Government is putting a large focus on the “Process”. If they can generate a system to make the “visa” process less prohibitive; more visitors from around the world will be willing to venture with ease to experience Canada.

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams, 
Ontario Visited with
Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier

 Stay tuned to “THE INSIDE SCOOP” Series of Interview Blog articles with the Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) … “Rendez-vous Canada”.

Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ Importance of Canadian Tourism

“THE INSIDE SCOOP” ~ Interview with Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) focus on Canadian Tourism continues …

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Visited
with The Honourable Maxime Bernier,
Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture)

“The Importance of Canadian Tourism"

During the interview with Minister Bernier, we discussed "The Importance of Canadian Tourism". Canada was once one of the world’s hottest tourist destinations. The Minister believes that if Canada were to regain its former standing as a popular travel destination, the economic benefits to the Canadian could be enormous. With tourism being one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors, Minister Bernier pointed out that his Ministry and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC), who are responsible for " sustaining a vibrant and profitable Canadian tourism industry", are looking for ways to work together to capitalize on this trend for Canada.

The CTC helps promote Tourism in Canada to 11 countries around the world: Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, South Korea, the UK and the US... their brand ~ “Keep Exploring”!

Prior to our meeting with Minister Bernier, I wanted to find out more about the Minister and his Ministry. That's when I learned more about the CTC. One of their initiatives is a Quiz on "WHAT KIND OF TRAVELER OUR YOU?" Here's your chance to take the quiz and find out where you fit! Have fun! (Click HERE). By the way, can you guess what types or travelers Ontario Visited Festival Nomad and I are... send us an e-mail at judi@ontariovisited.ca. Be sure to check out the Canadian Tourism Commission (http://en-corporate.canada.travel) to see a host of information you might find helpful and interesting at the same time.

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams & Festival Nomad ~ Gary McWilliams of
Ontario Visited with
Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier

Stay tuned to “THE INSIDE SCOOP” Series of Interview Blog articles with the Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) … “Challenges for Tourism in Canada”.

Importance of Canadian Tourism ~ Canadian Minister Maxime Bernier Interview … “Canada Brand” ~ “Youth” ~ “Volunteers”

The Importance of Canadian Tourism ~ as Canadian Minister Maxime Bernier shares … “Canada Brand” ~ “Youth” ~ “Volunteers”

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Visited 
with Canadian Minster Maxime Bernier
Ottawa

Recently, we had the privilege to sit down with the Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) and conduct an interview, with the focus on Canadian Tourism.

Explore Canada … Our Journey Begins …

Every good interview needs a good topic. If you are passionate about your topic and the recipient is passionate as well, it makes for a great interview. Minister Bernier was very generous with his time and insights, and passionate about Canada and its Tourism.

In our travels we have heard new “coined phrases” such as “Edutainment” (Education through entertainment) and “Agritourism” (Education in Agricultural through Tourism activities) and “Ecotourism” (Education through the environment). The depth of Tourism, we believe, is comprised, in a large part, from the contribution of Festivals and Events held in many communities all over the Country. The mainstay and the key to success for these viable contributors are … volunteers! 

As we are interested in Tourism in Canada and the current trends, we thought we would share some relevant material obtained from Minister Bernier and his office. We appreciate this insight, and “Scoop” as it were …

Where we stand ~ The Canada Brand:

“Branding” is important, especially in Tourism. Canada has ranked in the top two for the most powerful country brand in the world since 2010. (source: Futurebrand Country Brand Index). As we talked with Minister Bernier’s and his staff, every fact or figure we could come up with about the “statistics” become “outdated” right away. As they say, “If you are reading this, it is history” … “if you are living it, it is current”. It is important to realize though how important Tourism in Canada is! 

For an example, Canada’s Tourism Industry provides more than 618,000 direct jobs. That figure could move upwards are you are reading this too. We do know however, that in 2013, tourism revenues in Canada grew by 3 per cent to over $84 billion. That is a very significant number. Tourism is a growing and resilient industry that is driven by Canadian entrepreneurs, SMEs and workers from coast to coast to coast. 

We must not lose site that “Youth” plays an important role in Tourism in Canada, as young travellers, both domestic and international are part of the large and lucrative market. Not only do these young travellers contribute to Tourism, they also play an intricate role in “Volunteering” across the country as well, generating even more of an economic impact on our society today. 

Stay tuned to “THE INSIDE SCOOP” Series of Interview Blog articles with the Canadian Minister of Tourism ~ The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Office of the Minister of State (Small Business & Tourism; Agriculture) … “Canadian Tourism Commission”.

Volunteers, “City Girl”, Energy Park, Fun in the Sun!

We welcome you to come along as Ontario Visited Tours the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum … continues … Volunteers, “City Girl”, Energy Park, Fun in the Sun!

Volunteering “City Girl” … to great career …

Judi "Scoop" McWilliams ~ Ontario Festivals Visited with
Kelly Ray ~ Communications & Marketing Officer
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

Kelly was interested in Science and Technology. As a youth she visited at the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum from 4 years old. She is a “city girl” but with her education along with her natural connection with people, Kelly was a perfect “fit” for guiding, teaching, tours and more. She is a “people person” and loves to share her knowledge. Her excitement certainly captured our hearts and interest. During our Tour, I asked about the artifacts of the Museum. They do have an “acquisition list” of items that they would like to have added to their Museum. At this point though, the items would need to be rare, one of a kind, the first of the first. The “story” would need to match with the history.

Energy Park … fun in the sun …

Ontario Festivals Visited on route to
Energy Park 
Canada Agriculture and Food Museum

As we rounded the corner outside once again we can across the Energy Park: Nature at Work outdoor exhibition.  It is an energy park which produces bio-fuels, from corn, flax, solar power, windmill, sun tracker and more. Kelly tells us this area is usually hard to even see over the tall crops that grow later in the season. You can try your hand at “harvesting” energy using a variety of interactive features. You can try to pump water faster than a windmill or capture solar power from the comfort of a chair.

This area teaches visitors how renewable energy technology is changing both the consumption and production of energy on Canadian farms. The CAFM has a program called … Get the Scoop on Poop. Not only are the crops used for “fuel” but cows’ manure can be used for more than fertilizer on a field.  The Museum offers a new biodigester interpretation station.  A biodigester is like an artificial stomach. It is fed with organic material (like manure), which is broken down by micro-organisms to produce a renewable energy called biogas.

While we walked in one of the barns, Kelly told us to look up! Here there were ceiling fans running, cooling the barns. Kelly told us they use solar panels in their barn. They have a fun daily activity where visitors can guess how much electricity they’re producing in that day and how much they have saved in carbon emissions.

Stay tuned for more “Behind the Scenes” Tour with the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum (in the meantime, check out their great website for lots of fun and information at http://cafmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/index.php.)