Ottawa Festivals Backgrounder
Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit member-based organization, was established in 1996 in response to festival organizers, politicians and the tourism industry recognizing the need for Ottawa’s events to be carefully scheduled, properly planned and effectively promoted. At present, there are over 40 not-for-profit festivals, special events, and fairs that are members of Ottawa Festivals. As a cohesive body, Ottawa Festivals is able to advocate on issues affecting festivals, special events, and fair and assist events of varying sizes attain their goals. Ottawa Festivals is dedicated to providing support, presenting a united voice, and creating an effective networking environment
Vision
Ottawa Festivals will lead festivals, special events, and fairs in the National Capital Region by providing an extensive range of programs and services to support their goals, while acting as a centralized resource for festivals within the tourism industry.
Mission
Ottawa Festivals is a not-for-profit association dedicated to providing support, presenting a united voice, and creating an effective networking environment for festival, special event, and fair members to operate more effectively.
Mandate
- To raise the profile of festivals, special events, and fairs in the National Capital Region
- To market Ottawa ’s events and the National Capital Region as a tourist destination
- To provide a communication link between event organizers
- To gather and disseminate information which aids in the development of festivals, special events, and fairs
- To act a central resource for the public searching for information events
- To advocate, as a cohesive group, on issues affecting festivals, special events, and fairs
Further Goals
- To realize the potential of festivals, special events, and fairs as an economic generator for the City of Ottawa
- To build festivals, special events, and fairs as a part of the branding of the City of Ottawa
- To unify all tourism partners to strengthen the community and to increase the potential of the tourism industry
