Reconnect Ontario 2022 Program and Application Overview

1 1 Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries1 Reconnect Ontario 2022 Program and Application OverviewThank you for your interest in the Reconnect Ontario 2022 Program and Application Overview presentation will provide you with important information to help you determine if this Program is for you and your event, and if it is, will provide some tips towards completing and submitting a competitive us Ontario Program Resources Program guidelines and Application Your Regional Advisor: for consultation and event/organization specific Program related questions, requests for presentation: Transfer Payment Ontario for technical questions related to the applicationToronto: 416-325-6691 Toll Free: 1-855-216-3090 TTY/Teletypewriter (for the hearing impaired): 416-325-3408 / Toll free: 1-800-268-7095 Email: for applications: Wednesday, February 2, 2022at 5:00 (EST)2 Please note the resources available to you if you decide to proceed with applying to the Reconnect Ontario deadline is Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 5:00 , Eastern Standard Time.

2 We strongly encourage you to access the Application in Transfer Payment Ontario early and submit prior to the deadline date. This minimizes technical backlogs and uploading issues. Late applications will not be accepted. 232022 Reconnect Ontario programReview: Program Objectives & Priorities Eligibility and MandatoryRequirements Application Overview ,Process, Assessment Consider if this Program is a fit with your 2022-23event plans3We ll start the session with a big picture Overview of: the Reconnect Ontario 2022 Program Objectives and Priorities Applicant and Event Eligibility and Mandatory Requirements, and Key definitionsIn this presentation, we will review the Application questions, and provide some examples to guide your understanding and look at the process for submitting applications. Please note, for the upcoming year, this Program replaces the former Reconnect Festival and Event Program and is the Ministry sprimary funding opportunity to support Ontario Festivals and Events in 2022 Reconnect Ontario Program supports festivals and events with a tourism economic impact to motivate visitors to rediscover Ontario , Reconnect people with local experiences and generate increased tourism spending.

3 The Program supports innovative events in Ontario that will: Offer safe experiences that encourage people to travel locally , participate and rediscover the beauty and diversity of all that Ontario communities have to offer; Draw tourists and local visitors, whether in person or virtually, through innovative programming, and provide positive economic impact for the local community, the region and the province; Provide job opportunities for Ontarians, particularly in the tourism, culture and entertainment sectors; and Increase Ontario s profile through media and/or broadcast exposure to instill interest in future travel to the province. 4 Reconnect Ontario is a funding Program of the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries. The Program supports Festival and Event organizers to create and carry out events that bring Ontarians and tourists together, whether in person or virtually. The Program recognizes the value of the events and festivals sector to create great experiences for visitors and tourists andtostimulate local community economic development and recovery in support of these Reconnect Ontario Program will support: Ontario events that encourage visitors to safely rediscover and Reconnect with their communities and in Ontario .

4 Events that draw tourists, or people that travel 40 kilometres or more to attend. Events that develop strong community partnerships, creating positive economic impact and job opportunities, particularly in the tourism, culture and entertainment sectors Creative and innovative programming that increases Ontario s media profile and broadcast exposure, to encourage future travelplanning in the provinceFor these key objectives it is important to consider how your event plans further these results and to keep them in mind as you respond to all the question prompts in the Application . Every year, the Program receives applications from event organizers that outline other mandates and goals of their organizationsand events (conservation, charitable, educational). These are positive mandates and goals, but not the focus of this Program , so keep the Program objectives in mind as you respond to PrioritiesApplications are evaluated according to how well they demonstrate alignment with Program objectives and priorities, including: Strong organizational and leadership capacity, including a track record of producing successful events; A solid rationale for the event s capacity to draw attendees and Reconnect Ontarians with their communities, virtually or in person; Tourism/hospitality, business and community partnerships that encourage increased spending in Ontario ; The extent to which the event directly supports employment of Ontarians, particularly in the tourism, culture and entertainment sectors.

5 And Potential for wider media exposure for Ontario , including nationally and Program priorities form the basis for the information gathered in the Application and in assessment of the Program Priorities and keep them in mind when filling in the that you provide sufficient detail to allow evaluators to determine that you can meet these preparing your Application gather data from past successes such as event growth, diversification of revenues, successfulpivots in this past year. Detail the skills sets and experience of key staff and volunteers, use past event history as rationale for programming decisionsand engage potential partners now to collaborate and confirm their resource commitments and the economic benefit opportunities for your DefinitionsFor the purposes of the Program , the Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Culture Industries (the Ministry) defines:A festival or event as a public celebration (in person and/or virtual/broadcast) that reconnects Ontarians to their communities, supports local businesses, performers and artists, and has a broader economic impact involving local sponsors, suppliers and services.

6 Partnershipsas tourism organizations, hospitality or local businesses, and sponsors with whom the applicant is collaborating to develop tourism offers, incentives, packages or marketing/promotional collaborations, that contribute to the community economic impacts or financial success of the event. Partners do not include paid supplier relationships. A Tourist as an individual (including an Ontario resident) who travels 40 kilometres or more (one-way) or crosses a border into Ontario to attend an Canadian artistas an artist who lives in and/or pays income taxes in slide features a quick review of some key terms for the Ministry defines:Most importantly, a festival or event as a public celebration, either in person or virtual broadcast, that reconnects Ontarians to their communities, supports local business, Canadian performers and artists, and has a broader economic impact through engagement your event doesn t align with this definition, the Program may not be for are collaborations with tourism, hospitality and local businesses and organizations to develop offers, incentives, marketing and promotional tactics that contribute to broader community economic impacts and financial success.

7 Confirmed partnerships with community economic impacts are key to the Reconnect Ontario Program and carry significant scoringweight in the Application . It is also important to know that for the purposes of this Program , a tourist is an individual who travels 40 kilometresor more one way to attend an event. This distinction between a tourist and a local attendee at your event is to Canadian artists is important to our sector s recovery. Only Canadian artists fees will be considered eligible forfunding. To assist in determining who is a Canadian artist we are using the definition as an artist who lives in and/or pays income taxes in EligibilityEligible events must: Take place between April 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023. Occur in the province of Ontario . Broadcast or virtual events must be produced in Ontario . Be open to the public at large without membership in a club or group. Follow all municipal and provincial guidelines (including health and safety).Ineligible events include: Sporting events offering programming of primary benefit to event participants only and are not marketed to and do not attract additional visitors.

8 Those that seek to attract only a special interest audience, restrict audiences, or recruit new members. Those of primarily a commercial nature (main intent is to sell or promote one or multiple products, services or sponsorships). Those with primarily a charitable or fundraising purpose. Solely award shows or symposia, conventions, meetings, conferences, seminars, clinics, workshops. Those funded through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program , Ontario Music Investment Fund, or Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Reconnect Program is open to public events held in Ontario , or for broadcast/virtual events produced in Ontario , between April 1, 2022 March 31, 2023 All funded events must commit to following all municipal and provincial guidelines, including for health and safety. Ineligible events include: Sporting events, such as local soccer tournaments, that are not marketed to or attract additional visitors Special interest events that restrict audiences or are for the purpose of member recruitment, such as political or religious events Primarily commercial or sales events.

9 Examples would include Artisan markets or trade and consumer shows Conferences, conventions, seminars, clinics are not eligible. Events that are for the sole purpose of honoring award recipients Fundraising galas and auctions. Please note that an event that meets the Program objectives but where fundraising is not the primary purpose, could be example would be a Culinary Harvest Festival that provides a donation of $1 per ticket to the local food bank. This donation would not exclude eligibility. Additionally, if your organization is receiving funding through the Ontario Sport Hosting Program , the Ontario Music Investment Fund or the Celebrate Ontario Blockbuster Program , you cannot apply for Reconnect support for the same applicant organization is eligible to submit only 1 Application PER EVENTO rganizations that host more than one event may submit a maximum of two applications. Note that an organization may submit a maximum of 2 applications between the Reconnect Ontario and Blockbuster Organizations must be Ontario -basedand have legal status as an incorporated entity for one year or longer as of January1,2022.

10 Includes: private businesses, registerednot-for-profits, municipalities, incorporatedIndigenousorganizations, and BandCouncils. Applicant organizationsmust not be in defaultwithany ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario . Ineligible Organizations include federal or provincial governments and/or their agencies and non- incorporated entities ( , sole proprietorships) For Recipients: must provide proof of a minimum $2 million commercial general liability insurancethat includes Her Majesty the Queen in right of Ontario , her ministers, agents, appointees and employees as an additional insured. MandatoryRequirements8 For applicant eligibility, organizations MUST be Ontario based, legal OR incorporated , private businesses, registered not-for-profits, municipalities, or First Nations in the Province of OntarioMust confirm that they are not in default with the Ontario government If you are a previous recipient of Celebrate Ontario , Reconnect or other government funding, you must fulfill all Program obligations, including final reporting and required at time of Application but mandatory if your Application is successful and awarded grant funding, is a copy of yourorganization s general liability insurance for a minimum of $2 million for the duration of your agreement with the province.