Tourism Marketing Development
This pilot program is for a tourism businesses or organizations that require funding to support the creation of high-quality marketing materials that strengthens the Thunder Bay story in a cohesive, compelling, and positive way while fostering a unified brand presence that resonates with visitors and reflects the region’s unique character.
Eligibility
- Must be a Canadian legal entity (not-for-profit or for-profit)
- Must contribute matching funds
- Funding is a maximum of $10,000 per business/organization, provided as a reimbursement and not retroactive
- Funds are available until program funds are exhausted
- Limit of one application per applicant per year
- Applications must be submitted no later than 60 days prior to the start of the project
- Any application with a primary target audience of Thunder Bay will not be considered
- All projects supported must feature the visual identity of Tourism Thunder Bay and acknowledge the funding support of the CEDC Tourism Development Fund
- All advertising must have a call to action
Applicants that apply for the CEDC Tourism Event Fund are not eligible to apply to the Tourism Marketing Development stream and vice versa.
Funding Criteria
Evaluation considerations that will impact the funding decision include:
- Ability to attract out-of-town visitors for overnight stays at accommodations collecting the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT)
- Increasing the length of visitor stays
- Enhancing Thunder Bay’s image and increase brand awareness
- Increasing or enhance sport and event offerings
- Leveraging partnerships and financial resources
Program Process
Step 1 – Short Form Application
APPLY NOW and submit a short form application to CEDC Tourism Thunder Bay staff who will conduct a preliminary assessment on the project to determine if it will meet all eligibility requirements for this program.
Step 2 – Long Form Application
If the requirements are met in the short form application, CEDC staff will email the applicant the long form application. This application will be used to apply to the Tourism Investment Committee (TIC) for funding. During this process, applicants are encouraged to work with the CEDC team to ensure application completeness. CEDC staff can assist with reaching out to accommodation properties and setting up a booking code.
Completed long form application will be emailed to CEDC staff.
Eligible and Ineligible Expenses
Eligible Expenses (to out-of-town target audience)
- Social media marketing
- Print marketing
- Video campaigns (including filming and design development)
- Photo campaigns (including photography and design development)
- Radio
- TV/online
Ineligible Expenses (unless to an out-of-town audience)
- Email marketing (unless a 3rd party delivery)
- Networking
- Billboards (unless in another market)
- Marketing plan development
- Website development
- Influencer, writer, blogger fees etc.
- Staff salaries/management/administration fees
- In-kind
- Posters, display booths, brochures, business cards, etc.
- Any other costs deemed ineligible
Step 3 – Funding Decision
When the long form application is considered complete by CEDC staff it will be reviewed and evaluated. Funding decisions will be communicated to the applicant within two weeks.
Applications approved will require the applicant to enter into a legal funding agreement with the Thunder Bay CEDC. The agreement will provide provisions on how funding will be paid out, the reporting requirements, and potential payback of funds once the project is complete.
Step 4 – Marketing the Project
Approved applicants will have the opportunity to collaborate with Tourism Thunder Bay for additional opportunities to promote the project include website/social media promotion, posting on the tourism event calendar, sharing the Visit Experience Guide and more.
