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Business owners in North Durham shouldn’t miss the opportunity to attend the 2024 North Durham Building Business Forum. 

Registration is now open! The forum brings together business leaders, entrepreneurs and community partners to build strategic connections as well as learn about available business supports in Durham Region.   

In his keynote session, Dr. Peter Lewis, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (AI) at Ontario Tech University, will talk about the opportunities and risks AI poses for small- and medium-sized businesses.

Allison Hector-Alexander, Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the Region of Durham, will lead a panel discussion on leading with inclusion in the workplace.  

The forum takes place October 22 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation Health & Resource Central Hall. A plated dinner will be served. There is a $10 fee to attend with proceeds being donated to North House which provides housing supports for those who are at risk or in crisis within the communities of North Durham.

Regions and communities host many exciting tourist attractions that bring people in and drive economic development.

To celebrate the businesses behind those attractions and make sure they can grow and thrive, Canada's regional developmental agencies (RDAs) are promoting the next intake of the Tourism Growth Program (TGP).

The TGP provides $108 million over 3 years to support communities, small- and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local tourism products and experiences.

Eligible applicants include:

• Incorporated small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in the tourism industry 
• Indigenous-owned businesses (including Indigenous sole proprietors) or Indigenous tourism organizations 
• Not-for-profit organizations (including tourism associations and economic development organizations) 
• Governments (municipal/provincial/territorial and related entities) 

Applications are being accepted from August 6 to September 17.

Register to attend a virtual information session on August 21, 2024 

Support Central Counties Tourism

Central Counties Tourism (CCT) is looking for feedback from tourism stakeholders in the regions of York, Durham and Headwaters that have engaged with CCT and taken advantage of available resources and supports. 

Each fall, the CCT Board of Directors plans the organization’s strategic direction, goals and priorities for the next fiscal year. In preparation for the September planning session, CCT is asking tourism businesses to respond to a survey. 

The survey will assist CCT's board in understanding 

• Business needs 
• How CCT has helped businesses (or where they could be doing more) 
• What supports are needed 

Businesses and partners that complete the survey have a chance to win a $500 git card! 

Response deadline is August 30.

Set Your ‘Out of Office’ To Durham Region 

Don’t let these last weeks of summer go by without scheduling your ‘out of office’ day in Durham Region!  

To help you make the most of your day off, Durham Tourism has created three Out of Office itineraries for you to choose from. Bike the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, unwind at Thermëa Spa Village or take a trip back in time to the Parkwood National Historic Site.

Whatever you decide, we’ll block off the day in your calendar and email you a suggested itinerary that includes other fun stops and eats along the way. Note that spa reservations and admission tickets must be booked and paid for separately. 

Final Weeks to Participate in Durham Region’s Business Count  

Whitby eatery Butchie’s was awarded a $10,000 grant by DoorDash Canada and Monday Girl. The grant recognizes women chefs and restaurateurs by providing eligible operators with tangible financial support, plus educational and marketing resources. Butchie’s owner, Andrea Nicholson, was one of 16 Canadian restaurant owners (and the only one in Durham Region) chosen for their plans to support the local community as well as showcasing how they intend to leverage the grant to support the growth of their women-owned business.  

The website for the Oak Ridges Trail Association (ORTA) has a new look. ORTA is a non-profit organization whose mandate is to plan, promote, create and maintain public recreational trails on the Oak Ridges Moraine. New members are welcome with an annual membership fee of $40 for an individual or family and the opportunity to take part in guided hikes. Learn more about how you can join. 

The North Durham Chamber's Scugog Beer & Cider Festival, held on August 2 and 3, was a lively celebration. Attendees enjoyed fantastic beverages, captivating music, and good old-fashioned fun. Check out some of the highlights, like the photo booth sponsored by Durham Tourism, on the festival's Facebook page. 

Epic Bingo promises to be a fun night of traditional bingo, dance-offs, games, music and audience participation.

The fundraising event hosted by the Whitby Chamber of Commerce goes August 22 at 7 p.m. at Town Brewery in Whitby. Buy your tickets.

Kars on King drives into Downtown Oshawa on August 23 from 3:30 to 9 p.m. Check out hundreds of classic vehicles while enjoying free live entertainment, and activities for the whole family!  

Events in the Park will spice up your Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Oshawa. On Tuesdays, you can catch the fun at Memorial Park, and on Thursdays, head to Ed Broadbent Waterfront Park. Free concerts, movies and more!   

The Greater Oshawa Chamber of Commerce, Durham Region, City of Oshawa, community partners and businesses are joining with Durham College, Ontario Tech University and Trent University Durham GTA to host the Oshawa Orientation and Homecoming Experience on September 7 in Downtown Oshawa. 

Explore exciting opportunities at the Whitby Job Fair 2024. Elevate your career or discover top talent on September 14! This event is for both job seekers and employers. It runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Abilities Centre.  

Current News & Trends

Copenhagen is rewarding tourists who take part in planet-friendly actions in an initiative called CopenPay. Visitors to Denmark’s capital who bike or take public transport or even collect trash get perks like free ice cream or glasses of wine. The pilot project is being tested to offset the environmental burden of tourism. 

The Federal government is looking to get Canada back onto the list of top 10 tourist destinations in the world. Canada currently sits at 11, but Ottawa has set a goal of seventh by 2030. Read more about the new strategy to reach that tourism goal.