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Industry Report - April 2024

Durham Rainbow Registered Information Session

Are you interested in sharing your commitment to providing an inclusive, safe space for 2SLGBTQI+ customers and staff? Rainbow Registered may be the perfect fit.


On May 21, from 1 to 2 p.m., join Invest Durham and Canada's 2SLGBTQI+ Chamber of Commerce for the virtual Durham Rainbow Registered Information Session.


This accreditation program is for businesses that are committed to providing a safe, inclusive space for 2SLGBTQI+ people to visit, work, and feast. Businesses will be assessed based on their policies and practices, training, commitment to inclusive leadership, and culture of inclusivity. Those who meet the program standards will be accredited and receive access to a wide range of program benefits.


Are you the next Rainbow Registered business?

Register now for Durham Rainbow Registered

Celebrate National Tourism Week

This week, from April 15 to 19, join us in celebrating National Tourism Week!



Now in its 14th year, National Tourism Week is a dynamic, weeklong national social media campaign orchestrated by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada. This event is a crucial platform for highlighting the pivotal role of tourism in Canada. Share a photo or video message and help spread the word using #TourismWeekCanada2024 on social media. Celebrate the nation's finest offerings to the world, under the inspiring theme of “Canada: Powered by Tourism.”

Learn how you can get involved in National Tourism Week
Six circles with icons representing accessibility formats. A blue bar with the title Committing to Inclusion in the Workplace Getting Your Toolkit Ready May 22 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Below the text are Durham Region and Abilities Centre logos.

Durham Accessibility Conference: Commit To Inclusion In The Workplace

Abilities Centre, in partnership with the Region of Durham, invites the business community, Durham Region employers, and those interested in exploring how to commit to inclusion in the workplace, to attend the Durham Accessibility Conference on May 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Abilities Centre in Whitby.



The theme for this year is, “Committing to Inclusion in the Workplace: Getting your toolkit ready.” Featuring keynote speaker, Ingrid Muschta, Director of Special Projects and Innovation, Ontario Disability Employment Network.; a panel presentation; and exhibitors, this conference will focus embedding inclusion into the workplace, as an employer, using an intersectional lens.


Registration is required by May 16.

Reserve your spot at the Durham Accessibility Conference

A Tourism Deep Dive into the 2024 Ontario Budget

Last week, the provincial government released its 2024 Budget, entitled Building a Better Ontario—a budget that continues to reflect the Province of Ontario’s immediate priorities to build new infrastructure and expand and refurbish existing assets.


According to the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), the 2024 budget reflects key asks championed within TIAO’s pre-budget submission, including workforce training, housing, infrastructure upgrades, and beverage alcohol tax reform.


Tourism as an industry does not feature prominently within the budget. However, TIAO sees the budget’s broader investments as a move in the right direction to support the regrowth, competitiveness, and capacity of local visitor economies—laying the foundation for future dedicated tourism investments.

View TIAO’s full report on the 2024 Ontario Budget

Durham Events Among Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario

Three of the province’s top festivals are right here in Durham Region! The Brooklin Harvest Festival, Kars on King and the Oshawa Peony Festival were recognized as three of the Top 100 Festivals and Events for 2024 by Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO).


Durham resident, Judi Denny, was also named FEO’s Volunteer of the Year for her work with the annual Peony Festival—which will be celebrating its 20th year from June 8 to 9 at the Oshawa Valley Botanical Garden.


Mark your calendars for Kars on King on August 23 in downtown Oshawa, and the Brooklin Harvest Festival on September 21 in downtown Brooklin.

View FEO’s Top 100 Festivals and Events for 2024

Mark Your Calendar

Join the City of Oshawa in making a difference by registering a group, organization, friends or family, to volunteer to cleanup in your neighbourhood, local park, green space, trail, or schoolyard. Learn how you can participate in Community Cleanup Week, from April 22 to 26.

On May 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the City of Oshawa is opening its doors! Explore more than 20 confirmed sites, including several downtown, to celebrate Oshawa’s history, interesting places, spaces, and hidden gems. Admission is free and all are welcome to join. Save the date for Doors Open Oshawa.

Treat yourself to a day on the green at the Whitby Chamber of Commerce's Fairway Friday on June 7 at Royal Ashburn Golf Club. Each golfer will receive breakfast, dinner, one bogey bar ticket, 18 holes with a golf cart, a golfer gift, and an opportunity to win some amazing prizes. Register now for Fairway Friday.

Local Business Highlights

Since Keith Lee’s review of this backyard café in Ajax went viral, people have been travelling near and far to taste the Korean Sponge Toffee Latte and Banana Cake for themselves—dubbed the “Keith Effect.” We give his visit a solid 10 out of 10. Plan your visit to this Keith Lee-reviewed backyard café.

Congratulations to Krumbs Breadery & Stuff on the opening of their storefront! Located at 422 Lake Road Unit 2 in Bowmanville, you can stop by for coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a selection of their locally famous baked goods! Plan your visit to Krumbs Breadery & Stuff

Durham Region is home to an abundance of wellness experiences. Whether it’s quiet solitude, therapeutic healing and yoga, immersing yourself in nature or enjoying a safe space to connect with oneself, you can create the experience you want and need. Unwind and recharge with these relaxing wellness experiences in Durham Region.

Discover more local business news

🏆 The Durham Region 2023 Ontario Parasport Games—hosted from February 3 to 5, 2023—have been recognized by Sport Tourism Canada with a 2024 PRESTIGE Award for Legacy of the Year. The Legacy of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding achievements or contributions by individuals, companies or organizations that have helped to advance sustainable and environmental stewardship within a Canadian Sport Event in 2023 and have left an important legacy for the community. Read the full announcement.


💰 The Parasport Games Legacy Fund Grant, presented in partnership with Their Opportunity, has been re-launched with a new, streamlined application process! Your organization or league has the chance to apply for up to $3,000 to subsidize registration costs for para and adaptive sport and recreation programs. These funds are dedicated to supporting young athletes, ages four to 24, by removing financial barriers to participation. Apply today and make a difference tomorrow! Help to break down barriers, and create more inclusive, accessible, and joyful sports experiences for our youth. Apply now for the Parasport Games Legacy Fund Grant.


🏅 Congratulations to the U14 Sunderland Stingerz who won the 2024 Ringette Ontario Provincial Championship this past March. The Stingerz won four to three over Greater Sudbury to bring home the gold! The Township of Brock has proclaimed April 29 as Sunderland Stingerz Day to honour the Sunderland Stingerz Ringette Association on their extraordinary season!


❤️ Durham Region has state-of-the-art facilities to host sport events of all kinds, from grassroots to major international events. We’re proud of our rich sport history and sport culture which provide a strong foundation for sport event hosting. Watch this video— showcasing outstanding venues and sport events held in the region in recent years—and how learn how our love for sport runs deep.

Find more sport updates in Durham Region

Current News & Trends

📚 According to this English literature professor at Trent University Durham GTA, literature is essential equipment for understanding ourselves, each other, and the joys and challenges that we face; explaining the need for post-secondary arts programs, and why it’s important to study literature and the arts. Read the full story by Durham Region News.


📈 It’s no secret that if any social media platform has insight into what trends are on the horizon, it’s Pinterest. Millions of people use Pinterest to plan their next big moment with every search, pin, and post forecasting what trends are about to emerge. View the Pinterest Predicts report to see what they predict people will shop, try, and buy in 2024.


📲 Meta recently published guidelines detailing how the company is continuing to handle the publication of AI-generated content on its social media apps. How are social media platforms working with AI-generated content and what does it means for creators? View Planoly’s list of pros and cons on using AI for social media content.

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For unique trip ideas or to plan your perfect day, visit DurhamTourism.ca, or call 1-800-413-0017. If this information is required in an accessible format, contact Durham Tourism.