Experience Norfolk 2025 Visitors Guide

Norfolk County Experience Guide – Community Collaboration Award Submission (2025)

The Norfolk County Experience Guide exemplifies community collaboration, uniting Norfolk County Economic Development (NCED), the Simcoe and District Chamber of Commerce (SDCC), and a network of local business associations to create a comprehensive tourism and business resource. Launched in early 2025, the guide reflects a shared vision to represent the County’s full diversity and opportunity through strong partnerships between municipal and non-profit organizations.

Collaborative Leadership and Shared Roles

The guide was developed through a cooperative agreement between NCED and SDCC. NCED served as the lead sponsor, providing strategic input, content, and consultation. SDCC oversaw design, production, advertising, and distribution. Additional contributors included the Delhi Chamber of Commerce, Delhi BIA, Simcoe BIA, Port Dover Board of Trade, Long Point Chamber of Commerce, and Waterford Chamber of Commerce, all of whom offered advertising and editorial content to ensure broad and accurate representation across communities.

This multi-stakeholder collaboration promoted inclusive engagement, joint decision-making, and clear division of responsibilities—from concept to launch.

Tangible Outcomes and Community Impact

The final product is a vibrant, user-friendly print guide that fills a long-standing gap in local tourism marketing. While Norfolk had previously moved away from printed materials to support sustainability goals, the return to print addressed business and visitor needs for a tangible resource—while complementing the County’s digital-first strategy.

Expanded to over 100 pages, the 2025 edition includes rich storytelling, maps, event listings, and business directories. With 20,000 copies printed, the guide now reaches a wider audience through distribution at County facilities, visitor centers, local businesses, and accommodations. The guide also supports “buy local” campaigns—an important initiative amid current economic challenges.

Measurable Results and Sustainable Model

This collaboration has created a sustainable, replicable model for future tourism marketing in Norfolk County. Key outcomes include:

Increased visitor inquiries and business visibility.

Strengthened alignment between NCED and local Chambers of Commerce.

A cost-effective model supported by sponsorship, in-kind services, and advertising.

Broader community engagement and pride through authentic storytelling.

The Norfolk County Experience Guide is a standout example of public and non-profit collaboration in action. It demonstrates how shared vision, joint leadership, and collective contributions can deliver high-impact, community-focused outcomes. The project not only enhances Norfolk’s tourism and economic profile, but also sets a standard for future collaborative initiatives—making it a strong candidate for the Community Collaboration Award.

Video the online guide: https://simcoechamber.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/2025-Guide-Good-Quality.pdf