About OHTO

OHTO Annual General Meeting

Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization’s (OHTO) Annual General Meeting was held on October 17, 2023
 



Thank you to those who joined us live at the 2023 OHTO Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, October 17. We are still buzzing with excitement! We hope everyone enjoyed the event and are inspired by Wander Sustainably much as we are.

The 2023-2024 OHTO Board of Directors is looking forward to the term ahead and congratulates the new and returning Directors: Cindy Jamieson, Greg Rodgers, Barbara Kraus, Mike Hage, and Vanessa Dow.

We are also grateful for the time our Fireside Chat panelists spent with us and shared their stories and advice on approaching sustainable tourism practices and certifications. Thank you, Stefi Van Wijk from the Madawaska Kanu Centre (on behalf of Kirstin Thompson from OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River), Tegan Legge from Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserve, and Meghan James from Somewhere Inn Calabogie.

Download the 2023 AGM Digital Delegate Package

Highlights & Reminders

2023 Tourism Stakeholder Survey: The board is seeking your input on broader issues that affect you and your business. We will be launching our tourism community survey in the coming days and it will be open until the end of November.

Expand Your Knowledge 2023 November Series: Starting Tuesday, Nov. 7 and continuing every Tuesday in November between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Registration details for the Expand Your Knowledge sessions will be released on Thursday (Oct. 19) in our October Highlands Highlight newsletter. Stay tuned!

NEW Annual Report: We will be releasing our new OHTO Annual Report later this year which will provide an overview of the latest data and trends to help you plan for the coming season. Watch for this new report to be released in our December Highlands Highlight.

Book a Discovery Call: As always feel free to reach out to any of us directly if you need personal guidance on how to maximize your membership with us. Book a Discovery Call with the OHTO Team at any time here.

Thank you to everyone for your enthusiastic participation. We are looking forward to the year ahead and continuing to strengthen our relationships with you and the communities we serve.

Questions? Get in touch with Kasey Rogerson, Director of Industry Development, at kasey.rogerson@ohto.ca or email info@ohto.ca for general inquiries.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2024 AGM!
- The OHTO Team 

A recording of the AGM is now available for viewing on YouTube. There are timestamps for the video so you can view specific timeslots for the various presentations and experiences that took place over the course of the morning. 

Click here to watch the recording. 

The entire OHTO team presented an overview of the key programs and results from the operational activities over the past year. Each sharing successes enjoyed so far this year, as well as highlights of what's to come. Click here to download the presentation slides.

Kirstin Thompson, General Manager, OWL Rafting on the Ottawa River

Kirstin plays a key role within the company’s newly formed executive team; however, she still strives to spend many summer days guiding and teaching on the water.

Kirstin is no stranger to the Outdoor Adventure Tourism world, having guided and instructed internationally for over two decades. Despite this, Kirstin has always found that her true passion lies within the banks of the Ottawa River.

Then GM position at OWL has allowed Kirstin to grow both personally and professionally. Among the many achievements from this past season Kirstin, played an important role in OWL Rafting receiving GreenStep certification as a Sustainable Tourism operator and becoming a Rainbow Registered business. Although Kirstin’s current focus is directed towards the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of OWL Rafting, her passion for the water continues to ensure the magic of the Ottawa River is shared with employees and guests alike.

Tegan Legge, General Manager of Forest Experiences, Haliburton Forest & Wild Life Reserves Ltd. 

For over 14 years, Tegan Legge has been both working at and exploring Haliburton Forest and Wild Life Reserve Ltd. and is grateful to call this incredible region of Ontario’s Highlands her home for even longer!

Tegan started at Haliburton Forest in April 2009 as an Outdoor Facilitator/Office Staff. Through the years, she has held numerous positions, joining the Haliburton Forest management team as General Manager for Forest Experiences in April 2017. In addition to her work at Haliburton Forest, Tegan has served on the Board of Directors for the Ontario Highlands Tourism Organization (Regional Tourism Organization 11).

Through Tegan’s career and alongside an incredible team, they have brought Haliburton Forest to the forefront of sustainable tourism through inclusivity, partnership, allyship and building foundations for strong community relations. Together they continue to learn and grow as they work their way through the phases of PAR –Progressive Aboriginal Relations through the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, as well as the Rainbow Registered Program through CGLCC - Canada’s 2SLGBTQIA+ Chamber of Commerce. 

Meghan James, General Manager, Somewhere Inn Calabogie

Meghan has always had a passion for creating a more sustainable industry and a more inclusive and sustainable team. Being a part of the Somewhere Inn Calabogie team has allowed her to make her passion and vision for the best workplace to become a reality.

Meghan joined Team Somewhere two years ago, and since then they have made numerous accomplishments. From getting Rainbow Registered to Sustainable Tourism certified with GreenStep Solutions and becoming an Eco-Fund participant to enhancing the workplace with Not 9-to-5 Certified mental health training and also becoming an Ontario Living Wage certified employer. Meghan has actively taken the initiative to become a sought-after employer. Recently, Somewhere Inn Calabogie won two sustainable tourism awards from the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) and the Ottawa Valley Tourists Association (OVTA).

To say she is proud of her team’s accomplishments is an understatement. Together they have curated an amazing team, who feel valued and appreciated, as well as fostered relationships within their community to advocate for positive change in the tourism industry. Meghan looks forward to continuing her work for a better and brighter future at the Inn, as well as continuing as a member of the OHTO Board of Directors. 
 

Only OHTO Members will be eligible to vote and/or pass motions during the Annual General Meeting and only one person per organization will be able to vote. Not sure if you are a member? Contact membership@ohto.ca to confirm your membership.

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