Explore Dufferin Investors Tour
The Explore Dufferin Investors Tour (E.D.I.T) was a pilot initiative developed to promote Dufferin County as a promising destination for tourism investment. Modeled after familiarization (“fam”) tours, the event blended relationship-building with experiential learning to highlight the region’s growing tourism sector and development potential. Held on April 23, 2025, the tour was divided into two components: a Networking Breakfast and a curated Bus Tour.
The primary goal was to attract tourism investment by directly showcasing Dufferin’s vibrant assets, thriving business community, and development readiness. The Networking Breakfast fostered early connections between prospective investors, local business owners, and municipal stakeholders. The Bus Tour included curated stops at key tourism destinations, giving participants a first-hand view of the County’s appeal and infrastructure.
The event was designed to:
- Increase awareness of Dufferin’s tourism ecosystem;
- Promote investment opportunities aligned with the County’s rural identity;
- Support local economic development through business retention and cross-sector collaboration.
The target audience included tourism investors, developers, real estate agents, business owners, and economic development professionals, largely within Ontario. The primary demographic was professionals with interests in rural tourism, hospitality, and place-based investment.
A total of 38 people attended the Networking Breakfast which facilitated connections among stakeholders and investors, while showcasing the County’s assets and streamlined development processes. The ensuing Bus Tour had a total of 20 participants, including prospective investors, local business owners, and representatives from local municipalities. The tour emphasized sustainability by highlighting opportunities for growth that reflect and protect Dufferin’s rural charm. The focus on local businesses and regional products reinforced community sustainability, promoting partnerships that benefit both the economy and environment.
Challenges included limited participation from outside investors, likely due to timing the week following a long weekend. These insights have informed recommendations for future iterations, including shifting the event date and broadening outreach to target a larger group of developers and site selectors.
A key takeaway was the unexpected benefit of local engagement. The event sparked interest in future programming focused on familiarizing businesses and municipal leaders with the broader tourism landscape in Dufferin, reinforcing the idea that informed, connected communities are more attractive to outside investors. Feedback from attendees described the tour as “professional,” “insightful,” and “educational.” Attendees also expressed an overall appreciation for the insights provided through the programming and delivery of information at the Networking Breakfast.
Ultimately, the Explore Dufferin Investors Tour laid the groundwork for a long-term investment attraction strategy rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and sustainable development. It demonstrated that successful marketing is not just about promotion, it’s about creating meaningful experiences that connect people to place.
