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Grants Boost Visitor Experiences

Published

7 years ago

6 minute read

Improvements to visitor services will help reach travellers in new and innovative ways – whether it’s a roving tourism information kiosk or a mobile-friendly website.

Sixteen visitor services providers in communities across the province have received grants to help them modernize their operations and develop new ways to strengthen connections with more travellers. Visitor services providers often represent the initial point of contact for travellers in Alberta. They can help influence visitors to extend their stays by promoting the province’s attractions and destinations.

“The Visitor Services Innovation Fund is making it easier to reach travellers in new, easy and innovative ways that will help grow tourism and promote the province’s range of destinations, attractions and experiences. By supporting the adoption of new interactive technologies, our visitor services providers help more travellers enjoy everything Alberta has to offer.” – Ricardo Miranda, Minister of Culture and Tourism.

The Visitor Services Innovation Fund provided grants of up to $7,000 to individual organizations and up to $16,000 to those that partner on improvements.

The grant recipient announcement is being made as part of Tourism Week in Canada (May 27 to June 2), a grassroots initiative that highlights the opportunities created through travel and tourism across the country. In Alberta, tourism is a priority sector to help diversify the economy, create jobs and generate investment in communities across the province.

The 2018 Visitor Services Innovation Fund grant recipients are:

  • Bragg Creek and Area Chamber of Commerce: Implementation of mobile tourism information kiosk to be more accessible to visitors and provide convenient services.
  • Camrose and District Chamber of Commerce: Implementation of mobile visitor services centre to enhance the visitor experience at events and other locations.
  • Community Futures Alberta Southwest: Installation of electronic kiosks to increase visitor access to tourism information and services. Enhancing Cardston’s mobile tourism counselling unit, this is a partnership between Community Futures Alberta Southwest and the communities of Cardston, Stirling, Raymond and Magrath.
  • Crowsnest Pass Chamber of Commerce Association: Expansion of the 2017 mobile visitor services kiosk and the delivery of tourism information at community events and tourism hot spots throughout the summer season.
  • Edmonton Tourism: Launch of the Explore Edmonton Street Team as part of a visitor services strategy focused on online and social media presence, leveraging local ambassadors and content, and going to where the visitor is located.
  • Edson and District Historical Society: Installation of weatherproof area map and brochure holders outside the facility to provide 24/7 access to travel materials and direction.
  • Innisfail and District Chamber of Commerce: Construction and installation of an info booth station outside the visitor information centre to include tourism promotional materials. Funding also to assist in the implementation of a mobile tourism information kiosk at events and the delivery of a regional familiarization tour.
  • Museum of Highwood: Construction and installation of custom outdoor kiosk outside the visitor information centre to provide important travel information, advisories and brochures.
  • Olds Institute for Community and Regional Development: Refit of the EverythingOlds.ca website for mobile compatibility.
  • Pincher Creek and District Historical Society: Installation of a fixed community information hut outside the current visitor information centre to advertise local events and businesses.
  • Red Deer Tourism and Convention Bureau: Delivery of familiarization experience sessions to train frontline staff about regional tourism offerings, as well as addition of mobile team to engage visitors at traditional and non-traditional venues and events.
  • SAMDA Economic Partnership Ltd.: Implementation of mobile visitor services pop-up tent to reach visitors at local events and delivery of familiarization tours for frontline staff. The project is a partnership between SAMDA Economic Partnership and the communities of Oyen, Consort, Empress and Hanna.
  • Stony Plain and District Chamber of Commerce: Expansion of the 2017 mobile information centre kiosk to engage visitors and residents about tourism and services.
  • Sundre and District Chamber of Commerce: Delivery of familiarization tours for frontline staff and volunteers and the establishment of a mobile visitor information kiosk to be shared among partners in the region. The project is a partnership between Sundre, Mountain View County, Didsbury, Carstairs and Cremona.
  • Tourism Jasper: Installation of interactive touch screen kiosk at Glacier Discovery Centre to provide travel information.
  • Vulcan and District Tourism Society: Implementation of a travelling kiosk to deliver tourism information in off-site locations and delivery of familiarization tours for frontline staff from the communities of Vulcan, Nanton and Fort McLeod. You can find related information through the links below.

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New Documentary “Cooking with Hot Stones” Explores History of Fort Assiniboine, Alberta

Published on February 14, 2025

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February 14, 2025 – Alberta, Canada – A compelling new documentary, Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine, is set to air on Wild TV, RFD TV Canada, Cowboy Channel Canada, and you can click here to stream for FREE on Wild TV’s streaming service, Wild TV+. This engaging one-hour feature will take viewers on a journey through time, exploring Fort Assiniboine’s rich history from 1823 to 2023.

Fort Assiniboine is a significant landmark in Alberta, playing a crucial role in Indigenous history, the fur trade, and the western expansion of Canada. This documentary captures the spirit of the region, illustrating how it has evolved over two centuries and how it continues to shape the cultural fabric of the province today.

Wild TV will make the documentary free to stream on Wild TV+ on February 14th so that it can be easily accessed in classrooms and other educational settings throughout the region, ensuring the historical significance of Fort Assiniboine reaches a wider audience.

Produced by Western Directives Inc., Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine brings historical moments to life with vivid storytelling, expert interviews, and breathtaking cinematography.

“We are very excited to partner with Wild TV as part of our one hour documentary production. Based in Alberta, we respect the hard work and quality programming that Wild TV brings to a national audience. With the broadcast opportunity, Wild TV gives our production the ability to entertain and educate Canadians across the country on multiple platforms,” said Tim McKort, Producer at Western Directives.

Scott Stirling, Vice President of Wild TV, also expressed enthusiasm for the project: “At Wild TV, we are passionate about telling Canadian stories that resonate with our audiences. This documentary not only highlights a crucial piece of our nation’s history but also celebrates the resilience and contributions of Indigenous peoples, traders, and settlers who shaped the land we call home today. We are proud to bring Cooking with Hot Stones: 200th Anniversary of Fort Assiniboine to our viewers across Canada.”

Airtimes for Wild TV can be found here.

For airtimes on RFD TV Canada, click here.

For airtimes on Cowboy Channel Canada, visit CCC’s schedule.

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Community

100+ Women Who Care Red Deer celebrates 10th season in 2025 with new leadership

Published on November 27, 2024

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L to R: Cindy Jefferies, Susan Knopp, Lane Tomalty, Bre Fitzpatrick
Photo credit: The SnapHappy Photographer

After a decade of leadership under Cindy Jefferies and Susan Knopp, 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer (100+ WWCRD) is proud to celebrate 10 years of supporting local charities and the announcement of Bre Fitzpatrick and Lane Tomalty as its new co-leaders. This marks an exciting new chapter for the group, which has made a significant impact on not-for-profit organizations in Central Alberta.

Cindy and Susan have led 100+ WWCRD with vision, dedication, and a commitment to empowering women to lead and inspire change. Under their stewardship, the organization has raised over $630,000 for local charities by hosting 4 annual 1-hour meetings. Since 2015, more than 36 local charities have received funding through the group.

Reflecting on their tenure, Cindy and Susan stated:

“Leading 100 Women has been an honour and a privilege. When we began this journey, we didn’t know where it would go – we simply loved the simple, elegant, and fun ‘100 Who Care’ concept and thought it was a great fit for our community. We are grateful to the many women who have stood with us. They are the magic of the organization! We are confident Bre and Lane will steward this leadership role well and we look forward to supporting it – just not from behind the microphone!”

Bre and Lane bring a dynamic energy and fresh perspective to the organization. Both have been involved with the group and have been mentored by Susan and Cindy over the past year. They are eager to continue the collaboration, connection, and local support this team of women have established in Red Deer.

In their joint statement, Bre and Lane shared:

“We are humbled to step into this role and build on the incredible foundation Cindy and Susan have laid. Many needs are at the doorstep of our community and in the hearts and minds of our members. We know a powerful, caring, and united group of individuals can play a huge role in driving change and breaking barriers.

To celebrate this milestone and leadership transition, the 100+ WWCRD hosted the final meeting of 2024 on November 25th at the Red Deer Golf and Country Club. The evening featured reflections from Cindy and Susan, the selection of the Salvation Army as the charity of choice, an opportunity for members to connect with Bre and Lane as they outline their vision for the organization’s next chapter, and a toast to 10 years.

For more information, please visit www.100womenreddeer.ca

About 100+ Women Who Care Red Deer

100+ Women Who Care Red Deer is a network of compassionate, empowered, and dedicated women who make a direct, immediate, and positive impact in Red Deer and area. We support local non-profit and charitable organizations that work every day to make our community a better place to live. 100% of funds donated go to the selected charities – there are no
administration fees, and all costs are covered by the generosity of sponsors. Collectively, we make a difference.

The group meets 4 times annually for 1 hour. Non-profit and charitable organizations are nominated by members. After hearing 3 randomly drawn pitches, the members vote to select their top choice. The group with the highest number of votes receives the members’ donations. Each member or team commits to donating $100 at each meeting. Since 2015, the average raised has been more than $15,000 per meeting.

Membership is open to all women In Red Deer and area. We invite you to join us! The first meeting of 2025 will be on Monday, February 3, 2025.

Founded in February 2015, the organization currently has about 150 members. We are committed to uniting this powerful group of 100+ women who care and lifting the amazing non-profits and charitable groups they support.

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