It was with trepidation and then mixed emotions that I checked the long range weather forecast to discover the inevitable, it looks pretty warm and green for Christmas. While plans for skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling must wait a little longer, travel to and through Grey County is a whole lot easier, and there is still lots to do, outdoors and in over the coming holiday season. On behalf of all our staff, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, and some white stuff in the New Year.  Looking back over 2015, we have had an exceptional year with a combination of good weather, a low dollar and favourable international travel, and increasing demand for our outdoor product offering. As a result, most businesses saw growth, and several businesses said they had their best month ever at some point in the year. As we head into 2016, Grey County will be updating our Destination Development Action Plan and hope you will be part of that process in helping us take stock and set some priorities for the next 3 to 5 years.  Happy New Year and see you in 2016!

Bryan Plumstead, Economic Development and Tourism Manager

Introducing Bannikin Travel & Tourism

Grey County Tourism Destination Development Action Plan

Grey County, working with RTO7, has awarded the contract for the development of the second Destination Development Action Plan (DDAP) to Bannikin Travel & Tourism. Bannikin is a travel marketing and destination development firm based in Toronto, with strong experience in outdoor, cultural and experiential tourism both in Canada and abroad. In Canada, Bannikin has worked with New Brunswick Tourism, Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation and Nunavut Tourism among others, and around the world from Greenland to Namibia, with private companies such as Wilderness North, PureQuest Adventures and Exodus Travels.

You might be interested to know the word 'Bannikin' (as found in an old Newfoundland dictionary) means 'small tin cup,' and according to their team, represents experiencing travel in a real way, with a local perspective.

In order to compile the DDAP, Bannikin has created a small team to conduct research, do interviews and host a stakeholder workshop on February 2nd, 2016 (details to follow).

Their goal is to create a strong, living action plan that will guide Grey County as we continue developing a robust four season tourism industry and set the ground work for successful execution with internal partners and external stakeholders. 

Bannikin will keep us up to date by posting regularly in this newsletter, and if you have any questions about the process, please contact Jillian Dickens directly at jillian@bannikin.com.

As Bannikin reaches out to you, we appreciate any support you can provide as they put together this important report. The final DDAP will be ready at the end of March 2016. 

Bruce Grey Simcoe Tourism Conference

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Bruce Grey Simcoe Tourism Conference at Meaford Hall on December 9, 2015. It was a successful day filled with informative breakouts, an energizing keynote speaker, lots of networking and an array of local delectables to indulge in.

Congratulations to the Charlie Kelly Award Winners of 2015, Jeff Carver (Wismer House) and the late Don Braden from Blue Mountain Village Association (BMVA). We are extending a special thank you to Don’s family who came to accept the award on his behalf.



The speaker’s presentations and a photo gallery of the day are all available on our website. For anyone wishing to purchase Frederic Gonzalo’s ‘Social Media Best Practices’ paperback, he is offering a special rate of $39 (reg. $59) to our region. The price includes shipping. To order now visit his website AND he is providing a 50% discount to anyone who would like to complete his webinars using promo code BGS50.

Trade Shows 

Grey County Tourism will be concentrating on more niche market shows trade shows this winter. You can find us at the Toronto Outdoor Adventure and Travel Show, February 19-21, and at the International Centre and at the Toronto International Bicycle Show, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, March 4-6. Watch for our updates from the show on social media, Facebook and Instagram.

BGS Service Excellence Training

Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation 2016 Marketing and Partnership Opportunities

• A signature event at Grey Roots Museum & Archives on June 12

• The creation of a branded tent that will allow for pop-up tastings to be held around the region

• The development of a “growler passport” program that encourages visitors to fill a growler jug at as many participating locations as possible for a chance to win a grand prize.

Work on a website will also begin in 2016. Visit Saints & Sinners on Facebook and Instagram.