_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lakeshore Drive Beachfront Dining Experience Video
This video project aimed to show the unique beachfront dining experience and "patio life" of Sylvan Lake. To maximize the value of this project, influencer Roxanne of Red Deer Eats and Jonah and Graham of Local Jems participated in creating social media buzz and producing a video in June 2021. This project was funded as part of the awarded Travel Alberta Cooperative Investment Program grant.
Red Deer Eats posted about each restaurant on her social media feeds and shared the posts to her stories on July and August long weekends. Visit Sylvan Lake reposted her posts on its own channels. See the posts here
Local Jems created an experience video that will be used to advertise the destination in future through paid social media advertising. See the videos here
Visit Sylvan Lake will share the video again in time for September long weekend on its social media feeds.
-
Local Jems also conducted long-form interviews beyond the deliverables of the project. This content is an excellent fit for CulinART! and will be released in September in conjunction with the event.
Creatives always maintain a degree of independence with the exact content that is created. Both Red Dere Eats and Local Jems went above and beyond in creating awesome content that represented the unique beachfront patio experience in Sylvan Lake!
The Travel Alberta Cooperative Investment Grant will fund additional video asset projects for destination marketing.
2021-08-30
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tourism Relief Grant | Government of Canada
The Tourism Relief Fund, supports tourism businesses and organizations in adapting their operations to meet public health requirements while investing in products and services to facilitate their future growth.
With a budget of $500 million over two years (ending March 31, 2023), including $50 million specifically dedicated to Indigenous tourism initiatives, and $15 million for national initiatives, this fund aims to position Canada as a destination of choice when domestic and international travel is once again safe by:
- empowering tourism operators to create new or enhance existing tourism experiences and products to attract more local and domestic visitors
- helping the sector reposition itself to welcome international visitors by offering the best Canadian tourism experiences we have to offer the world
For more information, please see the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) Application Guide
Local Area Office for questions about your project or idea related to the grant: Reach out to Kelly Kierluk, General Manager of Community Futures Central Alberta at 403 342 2055
We're here to help! The Town of Sylvan Lake is available to chat with you about your application and would love to see some of these funds supporting our community. The Town of Sylvan Lake may be able to provide letters of support for your application or assistance with describing the economic benefit your project could bring to Sylvan Lake. Reach out to Amanda Mercer, Economic Development Officer.
2021-07-13
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Quarterly Partnership Survey for Q2
You’re invited to participate in the Quarterly Partnership Survey and take this opportunity to share with us what things look like from your business’ perspective and how your business is being impacted. Your responses help us have an eye on the tourism industry from the business perspective in Sylvan Lake.
Share your feedback in the Q2 Partnership Survey (April – June 2021):
Let us know how your business experienced the last quarter, what you’d like to see in future and share feedback on Town of Sylvan Lake tourism initiatives. This brief survey lets you share your thoughts from the April 1 – June 30 2021 quarter. The online survey closes on July 30. Use this link to take the online survey
What we heard from businesses in the Q1 Partnership Survey (January – March 2021):
- businesses continued to face significant difficulties related to provincial health restrictions and closures
- transportation/parking concerns and ideas, particularly in downtown
- trends in the market included more families and an increase in out of town customers
2021-07-07
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Mystery Towns Downtown Scavenger Hunt
The Town of Sylvan Lake is working with company, Mystery Towns, to put together a scavenger hunt around Sylvan Lake’s downtown! The hunt will incorporate some of Sylvan’s best sights, stories, and monuments for players to explore. Businesses can be involved by offering a deal or discount of some type during the game to encourage players to take a break and grab a bite or do an activity along the way.
The game is played by mobile phone and can be multi-player or teams can play against each other to solve the mystery of the ‘Lost Regatta’ by finding clues along the route. The game is family-friendly and likely suitable for ages 10+. Adults will enjoy the game as well and still find the clues challenging. The game route goes down Lakeshore Drive, Centennial Street, and 46 Street. For more info on Mystery Towns please see this video
We are reaching out directly to Tourism Partners along the scavenger hunt route directly to be involved.
2021-06-25
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Restaurant Guides
We've created printable restaurant guides! A stack of Guides has been delivered free of charge to each hotel and campground business in Sylvan Lake to help connect visitors with restaurant providers.
Download and print your own copies here
2021-06-07
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Destination Brand and Website Redevelopment Complete!
Have you noticed our new look on visitsylvanlake.ca?
A newly developed destination brand was accepted by Town Council in April with input from tourism operators, Town of Sylvan lake administration, and A/B testing in main visitor markets.
This unique brand, applied to Visit Sylvan Lake, allows Sylvan Lake to grow as a destination and develop it's own identity in Alberta's tourism landscape.
Further style updates to social media sites and visitor marketing will be coming soon!
Visit Sylvan Lake continues to be operated by the Town of Sylvan Lake, performing destination marketing, providing visitor information, and tourism development.
2021-05-31
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Alberta On the Plate
Restaurants involved in agritourism and culinary tourism can now apply to be a part of Alberta on the Plate! This province-wide event showcases businesses that use Alberta ingredients in their dishes. Foodies delight at the opportunity to travel across the province, trying each dish and connecting to each dish's unique "food story."
This opportunity is free for businesses to participate. Application close June 30. The event runs August 6-15, 2021.
For more information and to participate, visit albertaontheplate.com
2021-05-14
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Summer 2021 Patio Program
The Town of Sylvan Lake is currently expediting patio development approvals.
Businesses interested in developing patios should reach out directly to the Planning department at 403 887 2141 for application requirements.
2021-05-05
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1913 Days
Update: As a result of new pandemic restrictions implemented by the province in May, 1913 Days will take place on the weekend of June 18-20 only.
Celebrating the founding of our town with 1913 days is a beloved tradition!
Our team is still in the process of planning the event activities.
Businesses are encouraged to host events to add to the the festival! Please submit your event information to the events calendar by May 21, 2021 to be included as part of the event schedule. Submit Event Information Here
Posted: 2021-03-17
Updated: 2021-03-29
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
*Cancelled* Summer Window Painting
*Due to budgetary changes this program has been postponed to a later date*
Register by June 14, 2021. First come, first served. Registration opens June 1, 2021.
Transform your storefront with hand painted seasonal window art. Lead by local visual artist, Jamie Cooney, we are excited to offer more complimentary window painting to our Tourism Partners! Please apply to have your storefront windows painted in a 'Sylvan Lake Summer' theme by entering your information via online form
Capacity is very limited and applications will be processed on a first come, first served basis.
2021-05-31
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New In Town Campaign has pushed back
Originally designed for release before the May long weekend to kick off summer and give the audience things to add to their to-do list, this campaign has been pushed back to just before July long weekend to allow for provincial restrictions to hopefully let up.
Our hope is that pushing back the Campaign will allow more businesses to be open when the Campaign is released and enhanced its effectiveness.
2021-05-13
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be Involved! May and June Opportunities for Businesses
Businesses can be involved in Town of Sylvan Lake tourism initiatives and strategies throughout May and June by registering to participate below!
- Be Featured! New In Town Campaign | May 15-22 > New Dates: June 21-30
- We're showcasing businesses who are NEW or have REVAMPED over 2020/2021 just in time for the May long weekend! Up to ten businesses will be featured on Visit Sylvan Lake social media. Register by May 5 at visitsylvanlake.ca/newintown
- Share Your Best Campfire Stories and Recipes | All Summer
1913 Days
Update: As a result of new pandemic restrictions implemented by the province in May, 1913 will take place on the weekend of June 18-19 only.
- Meet Me On Main Street Campaign | June 7-11 > New dates: June 14-18
- Host Your Own 1913 Days Event | June 11-13 > New dates: June 18-19 only
- Be a part of 1913 Days by hosting your own event or activity at your business to draw people in. Let us know the details, and be added to the official event schedule to be marketed as part of the 1913 Days event! Make your event fun, simple, and easy to host! Register by May 21 at visitsylvanlake.ca/1913-days-submit-event
- 1913 Days Downtown Sidewalk Sale | All Day June 12 > New date: June 19 only
- Put out a rack of your products on the sidewalk, prop open your door, and invite passersby in for a boutique shopping experience! Centennial Street will be decorated for the event to add a festive feel. Registration is not required. For questions, ask our Special Events Coordinator at pmcarthur@sylvanlake.ca or 403 887 2199
Updated: 2021-05-05
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Share Your Feedback With Us | Q1 2021 Partnership Survey
Take this short online survey to share your feedback from the period of January 1 - March 31, 2021. Let us know how your business was affected, what you'd like to see in the future, and give feedback on Town of Sylvan Lake tourism initiatives.
Take the online survey
Survey closes May 15, 2021. We'd love to hear from you!
2021-04-16
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Travel Alberta Cooperative Investment Program grant | Travel Alberta
Travel Alberta's Cooperative Investment Program grant launches April 1 accepting applications until April 30. The cooperative investment program requires no matched funding component (no financial contribution from the applicant). This grant focuses on recovery from Covid-19 and measurable return on investment. For more information: https://industry.travelalberta.com/programs-tools/coop-investment
Posted: 2021-03-25
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Experience Development Coaching
In partnership with Travel Alberta, the Town of Sylvan Lake has put together one-on-one experience development coaching opportunities for experience development. Experience development is a way to create new opportunities that enhance products and attract new customers.
It means shifting the mindset from selling products to providing experiences. For example, a business that sells spun wool might enhance their business strategy by providing tours of their workshop, farm tours, instructional workshops on wool dyeing or spinning, knitting events, and find new ways to tell their story of why wool is so important to them.
Interested businesses should email us to find out more and will be invited to attend an online group introductory meeting to see if they would like to continue with one-on-one coaching.
2021-03-31
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
April Tourism Sector Trainings
Choose webinars that fit with your business needs! These trainings are hosted externally. See a list of trainings below in the Tourism Sector Trainings section.
Posted: 2021-03-29
Updates 2020-04-14
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Be sponsored by the Town of Sylvan Lake for the Rumble Alberta Challenge!
UPDATE: Redneck Wear N' Tear, Lakeside Go-Karts and Mini-Golf, and Wood Shed Axe Throwing received sponsorship by random draw. This opportunity has now closed.
The Town of Sylvan Lake is looking for up to three businesses to sponsor for the “Rumble Alberta'' Touring Challenge Event! These sponsorships are valued at $300 each worth a $550 in marketing value. Three selected businesses will receive FREE participation in the event for the year.
Selected businesses will receive the Steel Business Sponsorship Package with those costs of participation covered by the Town of Sylvan Lake. Businesses will receive marketing through the Touring Challenge Event throughout the summer, as well as be placed on the Rumble Alberta route map year-round.
Rumble Alberta encourages all types of rubber tire traffic to explore Alberta!
Interested in being sponsored for Rumble Alberta by the Town of Sylvan Lake?
- Enter your business to win one of three FREE sponsorships:
-
- Submit an expression of interest by March 22, 2021 using this online form. A maximum of three businesses will be selected by random draw.
- Choose what “swag” you will donate to the event:
- Rumble Alberta asks for 50-100 pieces of donated “swag” per participating business. Swag can be things like coupons, promotional items, or other merchandise, ie. 10% off coupons etc. Swag will be distributed throughout Alberta for challenge participants at the discretion of Rumble Alberta
- Three businesses will be notified on March 23, 2021 of being selected and accept sponsorship:
- If your business is not selected for sponsorship by the Town of Sylvan Lake, you may still choose to participate in Rumble Alberta at your own cost
All businesses must be registered Tourism Partners before March 22, 2021, and appropriately licensed with the Town of Sylvan Lake. Limit of one expression of interest per business.
Posted: 2021-03-17
Updated: 2021-03-25
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
March Tourism Sector Trainings
Choose webinars that fit with your business needs! These trainings are hosted externally. See a list of trainings below in the Tourism Sector Trainings section.
Posted: 2021-03-03
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lake Skating Rinks and Vehicle Access Closed
Due to warm weather, the Lake Skating Rinks and the vehicle access to the ice from Lakeshore Drive and 49 Street have closed effective March 2 and March 3, respectively.
Posted: 2021-03-03
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Sylvan Lake Makes the News!
Our lake town has made the news and we're so excited to see Sylvan Lake represented in the media! The more our destination is heard about, the better for attracting visitors.
Check out these articles:
Posted: 2021-02-22
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
New Tourism Sector Resources Added
Find resources for tourism startups, using Google for your business, social media marketing for tourism, identify which travelers are your customers, and how to create high quality visitor experiences!
See below in the Tourism Sector Resources section
Posted: 2021-02-22
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
February Tourism Sector Trainings
Choose webinars that fit with your business needs! These trainings are hosted externally. See a list of trainings below in the Tourism Sector Trainings section.
Posted: 2021-02-01
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Short Term Rentals Survey | Town of Sylvan Lake
The Town of Sylvan Lake is seeking feedback through an online survey about short term rentals. Short term rentals, also known as tourist homes, AirBnBs, or VRBOs, provide short term accommodations, typically as a residential home or a part of a residential home.
Operators of short term rentals, users, and neighbours to short term rentals, are all invited to share their feedback of their experiences through the online survey.
Posted: 2021-01-20
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Small and Medium Enterprise Relaunch Grant (SMERG) | Government of Alberta
Apply by March 31, 2021
The Government of Alberta has released a grant for small and medium enterprises affected by Covid-19 that have experienced a revenue reduction of at least 30%.
Businesses, cooperatives and non-profits can use granted funds to help offset the costs of new public health measures, including:
- physical barriers
- purchasing PPE and disinfecting supplies
- rent and employee wages
- replacing inventory and more
For full details and to apply visit www.alberta.ca/sme-relaunch-grant.aspx
Posted: 2021-01-11
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The BIG JIG | Town of Sylvan Lake
Event Dates February 13-15, 2021
The Town of Sylvan Lake is hosting The BIG JIG Ice Fishing Derby February 13-15, 2021 over the Family Day long weekend. Check out the event page at visitsylvanlake.ca/bigjig
The event will include an ice fishing derby organized through an online app to ensure social distancing, live music, Pass-the-Poutine Contest for the best poutine in town, Kinabik Discovery Village for indigenous peoples heritage, and Learn to Fish for Beginners!
Here's how your business can be involved:
- Pass-the-Poutine Contest: Can your restaurant create the best, most creative appy-sized poutine? Fill out the online form to enter your business' poutine
- Equipment Rentals: if your business rents winter equipment let us know! We want to add your business as an Equipment Rentals Provider on the event webpage. Businesses must have a Town of Sylvan Lake business license. Email us
- Host a complementary activity or event: design your own activity that can add to visitor experiences. Let us know below by submitting to our Upcoming Events Calendar.
This event is subject to Covid-19 restrictions and all public health measures.
Posted: 2021-01-06
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
January Tourism Sector Trainings
Webinar training opportunities have been collected for January. Choose webinars that fit with your business needs. These trainings are hosted externally. See a list of trainings below in the Tourism Sector Trainings section.
UPCOMING TRAININGS
Posted: 2021-01-06
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Visitsylvanlake.ca Website Redevelopment | Town of Sylvan Lake
First Quarter of 2021
Visitsylvanlake.ca is the visitor website for the destination of Sylvan Lake and hosts information to attract visitors, help them find things to do, plan their trip, and other important information.
The site is undergoing redevelopment over the first quarter of 2021 for updating, to enhance usability, site architecture, and better support visitor services and Sylvan Lake's tourism economy.
Posted: 2020-12-23
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Tourism Industry Partnership Program | Town of Sylvan Lake
The Program launches in January. Here's how you'll hear about it:
- the Sylvan Lake News
- social media @visitsylvanlake
- your business license renewal invoice was accompanied by an info slip and link to register
- we'll be reaching out directly in January
- register online anytime
Once your business' registration to the Program is approved, we'll be in touch directly to let you know about visitsylvanlake.ca/industry resources! This will be the page for the delivery of the Program.
Posted: 2020-12-23
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2021 Winter Village Unveils | Winter Village Committee and Town of Sylvan Lake
Runs December-March with lights from 5-11pm
The Winter Village Committee and the Town of Sylvan Lake staff have done an amazing job at putting together 2020's Winter Village! The Winter Village runs from December - March at nightfall and includes sponsored Christmas Tree Planter Parade and over 304,000 twinkling lights. This year, due to social distancing requirements, there will not be sponsored bonfire nights to prevent potential of crowding around the firepits. For more info see the Winter Village Facebook page.
The Winter Village has also undertaken the addition of lighting to the Lake Skating Rink, brand new for this winter! Lights run from 5-11pm each night.
Posted: 2020-12-01
