Early in 2021, the Government of Ontario announced the Ontario Small Business Support Grant which was intended to help businesses in Ontario that were required to close or significantly restrict services under the provincewide shut down that came into effect on December 26, 2020. While convention centres and meeting spaces were included in the criteria for this grant, the majority of CAEM members were unable to access this funding. Applications for this grant closed on April 7th.
When the Province announced the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant as part of the provincial budget in March, CAEM immediately began advocating for this new grant to include eligibility criteria for show producers and show suppliers. The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) has been an important ally in this advocacy.
When the Ontario Tourism and Travel Small Business Support Grant launched a few weeks ago, the eligibility criteria for show producers and suppliers was not included. We continue to directly correspond with key decision makers in the Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, Sport and Culture Industries regarding this gap in eligibility and TIAO is also working with us in this effort.
This is where we need your help to amplify our advocacy. Please take a few moments to fill in the survey linked below which was created by TIAO. The survey responses received will be shared directly with the Ministry of Heritage, Tourism, Sport and Culture Industries and will play a key role in demonstrating the eligibility gap that exists for our industry. When filling out the survey, particularly the first question, we encourage you to choose “Other” and write in trade shows and/or consumer shows.
You can fill out the survey here.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to fill out this survey. Together we can make a difference.
