On the Fly
December, 2015
  

Welcome! On the Fly is our industry to industry, partner to partner newsletter bringing all of us who work in the tourist trade together to share our news, our successes, our upcoming events and above all our passion for this region. Tell your fellow tourism stakeholders and suggest they subscribe via our website. As always, any ideas, comments and/or requests can be emailed to EFT's tourism co-ordinator Deb Dalziel.

 

From all the staff here at EFT - wishing you and yours the very best of the holiday season!

  

   
In the Works
Save the date! Tuesday January 12th - Elora & Fergus Tourism will be hosting a stakeholders' info session. Learn about 2016 marketing projects, regional initiatives taking place, hear the latest on the Destination Next project and meet your fellow tourism businesses and organisations - it's a great time to network! Mark your calendars for Tuesday Jan 12th, 7-9pm at Elora Brewing Company. More details to follow.
  
We're still gathering information on your 2016 event dates.
Here is a sample of where EFT can post information on your event (both print and online): Grand and Gorgeous brochure, Wellington County Festivals & Events, RTO4, GRCA, Centre Wellington website, Festivals & Events Ontario, Ontario Travel.net, Onroute.ca and the list grows as new opportunities arise. We are currently working on our 2016 calendar of events. No matter how big or how small, help us help you and let us know the 2016 details.
To get the maximum exposure for your event, we need this information ASAP. Please bear in mind that many of these websites have criteria that events have to meet in order to be posted, so your event may not appear on all of them, but we will try our best to get them on as many as possible. Organisations are welcome to join Festivals and Events Ontario (there is a membership fee) should you prefer to list your event yourself.
We need event name, date, contact info, description and a high resolution photo would be fantastic too. Don't keep your event a secret - let us know about it today! Please email event details to Yvonne Hulley here at Elora & Fergus Tourism.
 
This month will see EFT move across the street to our new home in the former Penhaligan's store at 10 East Mill Street. All being well we hope to be moving in just before the holiday season. In addition to the info centre and work stations, the building will include public washroom facilities - men's, ladies and an accessible washroom (5 in total). Please bear with us as we undergo this period of transition - the move may very well affect our hours of operation - we apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
 
On the Street
The CTV advertising campaign we told you about last month is well underway with our promotional video airing at various timeslots between now and February both online and on TV. The video was a collaborative project between Elora BIA, Fergus BIA, Elora & Fergus Tourism and CW Economic Development. It was produced by Tivoli Films of Fergus.
The CTV Kitchener audience spans the length and breadth of Southwestern Ontario. Over the course of this campaign the video should reach over 1.2 million adults via TV and generate 40,000 online views via their website at www.kitchener.ctvnews.ca. The TV ad will air at varying key timeslots throughout the duration of the campaign.

 

Elora & Fergus Tourism is also in discussions with Epoch Times - a Chinese language newspaper and magazine focussed on the GTA and Ottawa. A sponsorship or advertising partnership with Epoch would broaden our reach into the GTA and potentially expose our region to a new market. We will be sure to keep you up to date with developments as we work through our 2016 marketing priorities.

 

Great article on Elora last month on Grown Up Travels travel blog.

 

Remember you can always peruse our website for up to date ideas on how visitors can spend their time here. From outdoor adventure to creative escapes to itineraries to suit every taste, it's all there. Our calendar of events was also redesigned in the spring so it's easier to navigate and view. And of course, you can upload your events there too.
Culture Matters
Making a listing - and checking it twice.....
Our Cultural Directory needs some sparkle for the holiday season.
You may recall that in direct response to your feedback our Cultural Map has morphed into a Cultural Directory! This is very exciting indeed as it is now a self-serve portal allowing you, the culture treasure that you are, to manage your own listing. You add your own photos, content, events, links, and as much other information as you please. The more you keep your information up to date, the better the directory works for you and your promotion and networking as well as for the Centre Wellington community and for those outside the community who are checking us out. Plus as an added bonus, the more up to date your listing is - the higher you appear in search results.
So keep yourself on the nice list and check out the Cultural Directory now to update your existing listing or to add yourself as a new listing. This is also a great time to add a festive photo or holiday event as well. It is easy to do and should you require any assistance, simply click the help button.
We have had great comments and feedback about the directory to date....from how easy it is to use to how great it has been as a resource tool. Great big thank you for helping us present the best information possible about our amazing cultural Centre Wellington.

  
Stay Connected
Browse around and explore www.elorafergus.ca - there is a wealth of information in there. Be sure to visit our suggested itineraries page and refamiliarise yourself with all there is to do in our wonderful township. Speaking to travel bloggers or travel writers? Please invite them to visit our media page where they will find fast facts, contact information as well as story ideas.
 
Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
 
Stay in the know
Congratulations are due to various culinary stakeholders. Firstly, well done to both Best Baa Dairy and Jewels under the Kilt of Fergus for their Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence. Best Baa designed and installed solar panel powered milk coolers that work off the grid enabling their Mennonite partners to continue to supply high quality milk without the use of electricity. Jewels under the Kilt were commended for their successful growth and expansion of the business and product line. Find them every week at the Elora Farmers' Market.
In addition, the Taste Real event Local Food Fest in which many of our partners participate has won the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance (OCTA) Award of Excellence for Event of the Year. The awards, presented by OCTA in Toronto this month, celebrate the passion and excellence of those dedicated to advancing the culinary tourism movement in Ontario. They recognize the efforts of those who help promote farmers, chefs and beverage producers.
 
Taste Real is also asking partners to complete this survey to help them learn more about how to assist businesses make valuable connections around local food. In addition, OCTA is in the final stages of its Wellington Tourism Strategy and looks forward to engaging with all interested businesses in early 2016. Thank you to many of our local food partners who participated in their research.
 
And speaking of the Elora Farmers' Market, this year their indoor market winter season runs until Saturday December 19th. There will not be a market from January to March so please be sure not to send visitors to the market during this time. We have many local produce retailers and farmers they can visit in the meantime.
 
But wait, there's more - Elora's Grand River Raceway has been nominated for the Hospitality/Tourism Award presented by the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce (GKWCC). This honour is awarded to an outstanding business or organisation that has achieved excellence in the past year through: increasing awareness of the area as a destination and promoting tourism; exceeding customer expectations in the hospitality/tourism industry; and exceptional contributions by promoting community betterment. The winners of the award will be announced at the GKWCC's Annual Business Excellence Awards Gala on February 18, 2016 at Bingeman's. Good Luck and Congrats GRR.
 
The Grand @101! Yes, mid-December Centre Wellington's Community Radio will be moving up the dial to 101.1. For now, stay tuned to 92.9 for all the details. This change in frequency means that the coverage area will increase from a potential 26,000 listeners to close to 85,000 listeners - across Centre Wellington but also from Arthur to Guelph, Erin to Kitchener-Waterloo and also listeners in Elmira. It's all good news for community radio and is very exciting. Tune in and enjoy!
  
Upcoming Events
November 20 - December 20
Wellington Artists' Christmas Art Show and Sale at Elora Centre for the Arts. Also see their winter exhibition running until Dec 20. Admire some beautiful art and pick up some unique Christmas gifts. Free children's workshops running throughout December.
December 4
Fergus Christmas Tree Lighting. Enjoy Christmas Carols, hot apple cider and watch as the lights are piped on by a local piper. Santa will be there too! Tree will be behind Fergus Library on the Riverwalk. Festivities begin at 7pm.
December 5
Belwood Lions First Annual Toy Show and Sale (diecast tractors and farm equipment). Belwood Hall, 9-3.30. Vendors and private collectors display their farm models. $2 entry, children under 12 free.
Fergus Santa Claus Parade. This year's parade theme is "Christmas Through a Child's Eye".  Load up the kids and join in the fun! Parade to begin at 500 Hill St. West, Fergus at 1:30 sharp!
Lucas Rogerson's Annual Holiday Charity Review. Singer-Songwriter Lucas Rogerson performs his annual Holiday Charity Revue at Fergus Grand Theatre with proceeds going towards Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Centre Wellington. A soulful evening of original music performed acoustically and with his full band. 8pm
December 10 & 11
Downtown Fergus' Moonlight Madness. Meander through the moonlit town and discover unique shops, great views and excellent dining. Enjoy great deals - participating retailers open til 9pm. Time to finish off (ok, or get started on) your Christmas shopping.
December 11
Elora Acoustic Cafe. The Annual Christmas Cafe. Doors open 7.30pm, tickets $5 at the door, Elora Centre for the Arts. This is a non profit event.
Steel City Rovers will be performing at Fergus Grand Theatre, 8pm. Book tickets online at www.fergusgrandtheatre.ca or call the box office at 519 787 1981.
December 12
Breakfast with Santa! Join Santa for breakfast! Hosted by the Belwood Lions - a delicious pancake breakfast, face-painting, balloon animals and photos with Santa. A great family morning! 8am to 11am at Belwood Hall.
Santa at Fergus Grand Theatre! How does he get to so many places at once? Must be some Christmas magic. He'll be at FGT greeting children of all ages from 10am to 12noon.
December 13
Christmas Bazaar and Silent Auction at Elora Legion presented by Elora Craft and Vendor Sales. 10am til 4pm. Something for everyone and a charity silent auction.
Christmas Festival at the Museum. Festive music, family activities, displays, and refreshments - also a visit from Santa Claus! 1-5pm. See the Christmas Nutcracker Exhibit, enter a prize draw and watch ballet dancers perform.
Elora Festival Singers present Handel's Messiah. Always awesome - St Joseph's Church, Fergus at 3pm.
December 19
Santa is back at the Fergus Grand Theatre. He just couldn't stay away. Bring the kids to meet him between 10am and 12noon.
Elora Community Theatre presents Christmas Cabaret at the Fergus Grand Theatre. 2pm and 7.30pm. Great fun for all the family. Tickets online or call 519 787 1981.
December 21 & 22
December 22 - 5pm and 7.30pm
St John's Church, Elora

And don't forget the Elora Farmers' Market every Saturday morning 9am-1pm. Starting Saturday October 31st and running through until December 19th you'll find them in the Paddock Building of the Grand River Raceway. This is the market's winter home.
  
Get the word out!

Many of our local media outlets allow you to post events free online - Wellington Advertiser, Cogeco, SNAP Guelph, Guelph Mercury, and The Record to name a few.  Don't miss out, register on their websites and help promote your event. Email 92.9 The Grand and get your events on air. And be sure to tell us too!!

Elorafergus.ca- On the new website, you can also list your events yourself. Simply click on calendar of events, then submit an event. Don't worry, we can still do it for you if you prefer, just send us an email at [email protected]. In addition, make sure your business is listed on the online business directory.

  
  
  
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Check out our complete list of Festivals and Events or visit our calendar of events.
  
Elora & Fergus Tourism
9 East Mill Street Elora, N0B 1S0 Phone 519 846 9841
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