tourism oxford: our rural roots are showing
DESCRIPTION
Presentation delivered by Cathy Bingham,Tourism Specialist, Tourism Oxford, at November 27 2008 "Economies in Transition" forum in Chatham, Ontario.TRANSCRIPT
What is Tourism Oxford All About?
• Oxford’s 4 pillars of tourism: arts & culture, heritage, agritourism, gardening attractions
• A ‘member-based’ organization • Function of the County of Oxford • Serving eight municipalities• Mission: to make Oxford a better place to live,
work and play through development activities
and by helping our members grow their bottom line through tourism promotion
Cultural Collaboration in Oxford
• Rich base of heritage & creative talent• 2 unsuccessful attempts “arts council”• April 2003 public meeting of creative groups• October 2005 focus group (Ministry of Culture)• Task force created: next steps• Partnership: Tourism Oxford, Oxford Small
Business Support Centre, Oxford Community Foundation
• Ontario Trillium Foundation funding
Oxford Creative Connections Study
• Dr. Greg Baeker• Weekly core “partner” meetings• Monthly Steering Group Meetings• Information gathering: cultural mapping, surveys,
interviews, focus groups, town hall meeting• Final Report to County Council• Oxford County Council endorsement & funding
Final Report…Next Steps
• Working groups: Governance, Cultural Mapping, Communications/Networking
• Roundtable composition & recruitment• Annual cultural summit• Community Festival • Non-profit Incorporation• Senior funding – Ontario Trillium Foundation and Ontario
Ministry of Culture• Staffing and office space• Oxford Cultural Masterplan
Early Successes…..
• Oxford Studio Tour
• Oxford Presents brochure
• Oxford Fresh “Oxfordlicious”
• Black History Museum
• Oxford Heroes Trail
• Local art in new County Admin Building
• Local art – tourism venues
Successes