Festivals & Events in Ontario Drive $2.3 billion in GDP + 52,700 jobs + 1.1 billion in taxes generated
[Source: press release]
Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) released new research Study information confirming the importance of festivals/events to the Ontario economy in terms of this industry’’s ability to contribute to regional GDP, create jobs and generate taxes at all levels of government.
Ontario festivals/events are estimated to annually drive $2.3 billion in contribution to regional GDP, support 52,700 full-year job equivalents (FYJE) and generate $1.1 billion in taxes.
The Study was conducted by a partnership of FEO, the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Enigma Research. It provided detailed information on a sample of 48 of the Province’’s approximately 1,750 smaller-budget festivals/events (Note: these < $250K budget level celebrations represent over 85% of the overall industry). Collectively, this “small budget” sector generated $1 billion in GDP, a number that compares quite favorably to the additional GDP collectively generated by the approximately 30 Ontario festivals & events that operate at the $1 million+ budget level.
Data from this Study was integrated with secondary research on the impact of mid-sized and large-budget events that was previously conducted by Enigma to arrive at the first such Ontario-wide estimate confirming the aggregate economic impact of festivals and events operating at all budgetary levels.
Ottawa’s festival industry members honoured by Festivals & Events Ontario
OTTAWA — Each year as winter draws to a close, the festival community across the province eagerly awaits the announcement of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario list compiled by Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) at their annual Awards Gala. This year five Ottawa area festivals were honoured — The Rideau Canal Festival, Canadian Tulip Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, TD Ottawa International Jazz Festival and Winterlude. The Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario designation is presented to a select few of more than 2,000 events that occur annually within the province.
Mark Monahan, Founder and Executive Director of the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, was inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame, an annual award which has been created to recognize and honour leaders in the Ontario festivals and events industry.
“This is a well-deserved honour,” says Barbara Stacey, Exectutive Director of Ottawa Festivals, a not-for-profit organization that represents festivals, special events and fairs that take place in Canada’s Capital Region, “Besides the incredible growth and success Mark has seen at Bluesfest, he is also a community champion and has been involved in a number of initiatives on behalf of the industry and the tourism sector, as well as programs such as Blues in the Schools and the She’s the One Emerging Female Artist Competition.”
Mosaika, the Sound and Light Show on Parliament Hill that is presented by the National Capital Commission (NCC) was singled out in the category for Best Poster and Best Promotional Campaign in FEO’s Achievement Awards which acknowledge individual festival and event excellence and best practices.
“We are very proud of the calibre of festivals and events presented in Canada’s Capital Region,” says Stacey, who was in attendance at the FEO Conference, “Ottawa is being recognized by more and more people as, Canada’s Festival Capital. It is because we are home to a number of world-class events such as the ones honoured by FEO; and having hundreds of festivals and events taking place through the year, there always seems to be something happening.”
Celebrate Ontario Funding Announced at Festivals & Events Ontario Conference
The Celebrate Ontario Recipients for 2011 were announced today by the Honourable Minister of Tourism and Culture, Mr. Michael Chan during the opening reception of the Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) annual conference.
Minister Chan revealed the winners to an eager audience of Festival and Event Organizers from across the Province who welcomed the announcement with applause and cheers of support. Celebrate Ontario Funding is a significant economic driver, providing a means to enhance festivals and events; keeping them fresh and growing into the future.
”We are pleased to have Minister Chan with us today to make this significant announcement in our presence. The festival and event industry provides over $1 billion economic impact to the province of Ontario and employs over 20,000 Ontarians. This funding commitment by the Province signals to us that our efforts are a valued part of the economic sustainability in Ontario and recognizes the enhancement festivals and events bring to the quality of life in our communities,” stated Gerry Ginsberg, FEO President after the announcement was made.
A full list of Celebrate Ontario Recipients and descriptions of each event can be found at www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca . For more information on all of the events taking place in the Province of Ontario this year, FEO produces a free Festivals and Events in Ontario Guide that can be obtained at Ontario Travel Information Centres across the province.
Established in 1987, Festivals and Events Ontario has served as the voice of the industry in Ontario. Operating on a not-for-profit basis, the Association delivers collaborative industry education, marketing, research and advocacy services. It has over 500 paid members representing approximately 1,200 individual celebrations and associated industry suppliers operating annually within Ontario.
Festivals & Events Ontario Welcomes Two New Festivals into the Level of Distinction
Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) was honoured to induct Rogers Bayfest and the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival into the prestigious Festivals and Events of Distinction in Ontario. The 2010 recipients were announced last Thursday, during the FEO Annual Conference. The Honourable Mr. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture, was onsite to welcome delegates and recognize all members of the FEO Level of Distinction.
The Festivals and Events of Distinction in Ontario represent a select group of 20 of the most well-known and respected celebrations in the province. Recipients are selected by FEO on the basis of their ability to generate significant international, trans-border, domestic or intra-provincial tourism travel, while commanding top-of-mind levels of consumer awareness and levels of respect from peers within the genre in which they operate.
“FEO feels privileged to welcome Rogers Bayfest and the Ottawa International Chamber Festival into our Level of Distinction. The economic impact these festivals have on their respective communities is undeniable,” states Gary Masters, Executive Direct for FEO.
From their small beginnings in 1999, Rogers Bayfest has grown to be a multi-stage, several day festival featuring world-renowned musical artists. In 2009 they attracted over 75,000 people from across Canada and the United States. With a similar start, the Ottawa International Chamber Festival now hosts almost 100 concerts and attracts 800,000 visitors annually.
A full list of the Festivals and Events of Distinction in Ontario can be found online at www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca.
2010 Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario Revealed During Annual Conference
This year’s Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario list was released this weekend at the Festivals & Events Ontario Conference held this year in Ottawa and eight Ottawa Festivals made the annual list.
Congratulations to Canadian Tulip Festival, TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival, Canada Day Celebrations, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival, Rideau Canal Festival, Ottawa Folk Festival and Winterlude.
Below is the announcement released at the conference by FEO:
Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) announced the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario last night as part of the Association’s President’s Gala, a celebratory conclusion to its annual conference.
Sponsored by VIA Rail Canada, The Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario designation is presented to a select few of more than 2,000 that occur annually within the province. Among the winners were household names like the Scotiabank Caribana Festival, Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest and Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. It also featured many smaller, festivals such as the Lanark Highlands Art of Being Green Festival, the Cobourg Sandcastle Festival and the Rideau Canal Festival. In conjunction with the Top 100, FEO also announced its 2010 Achievement Award winners. Achievement Awards acknowledge individual festival and event excellence and best practices across a broad range of categories.
The President’’s Gala is a follow up to a Welcome Reception that was held on Wednesday night. The Honourable Mr. Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism and Culture was in attendance to welcome guests and announce the 2010 Festivals and Events of Distinction. This year’’s inductees were Rogers Bayfest and the Ottawa Chamber Music Festival.
“Solicitations for submissions were issued towards the end of the previous calendar year, and an independent jury of industry peers conducted the selection process just prior to the Conference,” explains the Association’s Executive Director, Gary Masters.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, 93% of recreational travelers are seeking cultural and entertainment experiences, such as festivals and events, when they plan a vacation. Over the past two years, approximately 2,000,000 people who visited a festival or event say it was the primary reason for their vacation.
“With so many options for the festival-goers here in Ontario, it can be hard to know which festivals and events offer the most rewarding experiences. As the provincial Association for this industry, we believe it is our responsibility to set these standards and present the results to our consumers in an easily accessible and recognizable brand,” states FEO’s President, Sarah Wood.
The winners of this year’s Top 100 will be highlighted in the annual Festivals and Events in Ontario Guide distributed in both a printed and online format. A list of the 2010 winners can be found on the Association’s website, www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca.
Deadline for Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) Awards Applications (January 8, 2010)
FEO Top 100 & Achievement Awards applications are still available, but not for long!
Festivals & events industry professionals exude two very notable qualities – passion & commitment. The Festival and Events Ontario (FEO) Awards Program is created to give recognition to the countless hours spent on creating world-class festivals/events here in Ontario.
January 8th, 2010, is the deadline for applications. That means there are only two weeks left to get them into the FEO office. This is an opportunity you do not want to miss!
Past recipients will tell you that being a Top 100 Festival has helped in building community spirit and support. They will also share with you that being a Top 100 festival is a strong marketing tool and can be used when generating sponsorship, looking for media support, or filling out grant applications.
Our Achievement Awards are dedicated to featuring special qualities and/or components of a festival or event. Whether it is an interactive virtual campaign, or a go-green idea, we want to see what makes your festival stand out. Every festival has something that makes them distinct from any other festival. Show us what makes yours unique.
As an added bonus, if you are a FEO Top 100 or Achievement Award recipient, your festival/event will be highlighted in our annual guide.
Applications can be found using the links below, or on our website at www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca. Hope to see your applications soon!
Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) – Showcase 2010
The Festivals and Events Ontario (FEO) Conference will be in Ottawa this year. This provides an opportunity to get in front of over 250+ decision makers in the festival and event industry in Ontario. Since 1987 Festivals & Events Ontario (FEO) is the only association dedicated to promoting and educating the festival industry in the province and we are pleased to offer Showcase 2010.
Attending FEO’s annual conference will be Executive Directors, festivals and event planners and municipal organizers to learn, network and hire products, services and artists to enhance their festival. Performers are the heart and soul of festivals and events and FEO Showcase 2010 is the gateway to this industry. With a maximum of 8 Showcase opportunities on Saturday, March 6, 2010, FEO is now accepting showcase submissions.
Please apply by submitting the application information and payment in full by December 23, 2009. Applications received after this date will not be considered. Our Showcase Committee will review the applications and all candidates will be contacted.
For more information on Conference 2010 click here
