RTO4’s Partnership Program is a co-investment initiative designed to foster tourism across our region, which includes Huron, Perth, and Wellington Counties as well as Waterloo Region.
The program offers funding streams tailored to support businesses and organizations that are part of the tourism ecosystem – attractions, Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs), festivals, events, trail organizations, restaurants, and accommodations. To be eligible for funding, applicants must be located within the RTO4 region, demonstrate that their business or project attracts visitors from at least 40 km away and that their proposed initiative will contribute to drawing more visitors or enhancing their experiences in a meaningful way.
We are looking for sound and innovative ideas supported by a strong case for investment and a clear demonstration of need. Equally important is the confirmation that no conflicts of interest are present in relation to the proposed project.
REMINDER: All questions and prompts must be completed for an application to be evaluated. Leaving mandatory sections blank will disqualify your application.
It is recommended you reach out to the project manager associated with each stream prior to applying in order to brainstorm ideas and discuss criteria.
APPLICATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM.
For more information please review the following Application Guides.
| STREAM | APPLICATION GUIDE | APPLICATION FORM | ||
| Curated Storytelling | Guiding you in identifying compelling narratives, crafting cohesive storylines that define your brand, foster trust, engage audiences, drive action, and set you apart from competitors. | LINK | APPLY HERE | |
| Influencer Storytelling | Partnering with an influencer to generate high-quality promotional content—be it a blog post or engaging vertical videos—highlighting your tourism experience or event. | LINK | APPLY HERE | |
| Get Certified! | Subsidizing certification costs and providing assistance throughout the process—encouraging positive change across the industry. | LINK | APPLY HERE | |
| Destination-Level Signage and Wayfinding | Supporting the execution of signage and wayfinding strategies within the region. | LINK | APPLY HERE | |
| Curious and Captivating Placemaking | Supporting the creation of shareworthy moments or experiences. | LINK | APPLY HERE | |
| Meet the Expert | Providing the opportunity to virtually connect with a tourism product development specialist. | LINK | APPLY HERE |