Celebrate Ontario 2016 is open for applications

As a previous applicant to the Celebrate Ontario festival and event program, we are pleased to inform you of the launch of Celebrate Ontario 2016. NEW for Celebrate Ontario 2016! The Tourism Event Marketing Program is merging with the Celebrate Ontario program to streamline the application process for festivals and events. New and existing events may now apply for marketing funding through the Celebrate Ontario 2016 program. The newly combined program will continue to strengthen Ontario’s tourism offerings through closely aligned and focused programming and marketing support. Organizers of festivals and events interested in applying to Celebrate Ontario 2016 must do so using the Grants Ontario web-based application system. Your first step is to register with the Government of Ontario’s encrypted ONe-key log-in system as a user in order to apply online. If you applied to Celebrate Ontario last year, your organization should already have ONe-key access. If you do not have ONe-key access, please refer to the Grants Ontario System Applicant Registration Guide for instructions. Please read the Celebrate Ontario 2016 Application Guide carefully for detailed instructions on how to apply and for information on changes to this year’s program. Information Sessions Are Back! We are once again offering a series of online information sessions that will be delivered via webinar using WebEx and teleconference to assist interested organizations in applying to the Celebrate Ontario 2016 program. Six sessions will be delivered, available in English or French. Please register for your preferred date and time for participation in one or more of the Celebrate Ontario 2016 Information Sessions. Note:  If you experience any difficulties with the technology or require an alternate format of the presentation, please contact our office directly at (416) 326-6894 or celebrateontario@ontario.ca Your Regional Tourism Advisor can also help you with any questions you might have about your Celebrate Ontario 2016 application. The deadline to apply for Celebrate Ontario 2016 is November 4, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. The Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster category is available to support organizations bidding on and hosting major one-time events with operating budgets over $1 million. Application information is available on the Grants Ontario website. For additional information on this program, please contact Robert Sweeting at (416) 325-7426.