If visitors to Sylvan Lake make up a significant share of your customers then your business is operating in the tourism sector.

Your business may provide goods or services that visitors are looking for like fun things to do, places to stay, places to eat, souvenirs, supplies, or equipment to enjoy their trip.

This Program is open to any  licensed Sylvan Lake business operating in the tourism sector. Businesses must register online for the Program.

Get involved in Town of Sylvan Lake tourism strategies and initiatives! Work collaboratively, be included in, and find opportunity as well as benefit from the growth of the tourism sector in Sylvan Lake.

Program features and resources are listed on visitsylvanlake.ca/industry. Click through, sign up, submit, and use all the features available to your business each year.

Latest news and opportunities will be kept updated. Access anytime through visitsylvanlake.ca/industry

Just sign up online, it's quick and easy! sylvanlake.ca/tourismpartnership

Your business must be licensed with the Town of Sylvan Lake and operating in the tourism sector to participate.

For questions, please reach out:

Natasha Bhola
Tourism Marketing and Development Coordinator
Email
T 403-887-1192 x 527

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.

• April 8: Balancing Challenging Customer Interactions with Positive Guest Experiences in the Era of Covid-19 - Travel Alberta
• April 15: 10-Minute Tourism: Creating Local Destinations Through Placemaking
• April 22: One Year Later: How has Covid-19 Re-Defined the Experience Economy in Alberta?
• April 29: How Tourism Businesses Use Content and Social Media to Market

Posted: 2021-03-29

Updates 2020-04-14

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

1913 Days - Extended and with New Opportunities

Celebrating the founding of our town with 1913 days is a beloved tradition!

This year, 1913 Days will be extended over three weekends from June 11-19 2021. 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

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

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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

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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.

• March 4: Social media Deep Dive: Instagram - Travel Alberta
• March 11: Mental Fitness: How to Thrive in Challenging Times - Travel Alberta
• March 18: A Click Away: Trends for the Future of E-Commerce in 2021
• March 25: Destination Inclusiveness: How to Add Value and Make People Feel Valued - Travel Alberta

Posted: 2021-03-03

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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

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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:

• You can fly down three glowing ice slides in this cute Alberta lake town | Curiocity Calgary and Curiocity Edmonton
• Craving Beach Vibes in Canada? Find them at 6 Under-the-Radar Beach Towns | Marriott Bonvoy Traveler
• In photos: In Red Deer, hundreds of people take to the ice | Globe and Mail

Posted: 2021-02-22

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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

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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.

• February 4, 2021: Google Guide for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) - Travel Alberta
• February 9 & 16, 2020: Culinary Tourism - TIAC AITC Alberta Online Workshop Series
• February 11, 2021: Leading Through Uncertainty - Travel Alberta
• February 18, 2021: Travel Outlook: Factors affecting Recovery - Travel Alberta
• February 25, 2021: Creating Partnerships with Indigenous Tourism Businesses - Travel Alberta

Posted: 2021-02-01

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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

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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

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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

• January 14, 2021: Revamping Your Website - Travel Alberta
• January 21, 2021: Reimagining the Customer Experience (During and After Covid-19) - Travel Alberta
• January 28, 2021: Food for Thought: Leveraging the Value of Culinary Tourism - Travel Alberta

Posted: 2021-01-06

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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

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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

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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

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

Take Part in Rumble Alberta

Rumble Alberta is a driving tour challenge event from May long weekend to October. It encourages all types of rubber tire tourism to head out and explore Alberta!

The Town of Sylvan Lake has teamed up with this event to place Sylvan Lake on the Rumble Alberta route map!

Businesses who haven't already received sponsorship can participate in two ways:

1. Sponsor your business at your cost. Reach out to our contact, Sheila, at Rumble Alberta by email. For more info see https://rumblealberta.com/
2. Or, add to the swag bags! Challenge participants will receive swag bags when they participate. Provide 50-100 swag items like coupons, special deals, and merchandise to incentivize them to visit your business. This is a free opportunity and closes April 15, 2021. Email us

Posted: 2021-03-17

Updated: 2021-03-29

1913 Days - Extended and with New Opportunities

Celebrating the founding of our town with 1913 days is a beloved tradition!

This year, 1913 Days will be extended over two weekends from June 11-19, 2021. Our team is 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

Be Sponsored | Rumble Alberta

Be sponsored by the Town of Sylvan Lake for the Rumble Alberta Challenge!

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

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Pass-the-Poutine Contest | The BIG JIG

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!

Participate in the Pass-the-Poutine Contest:

Be the winner of the best, most creative, tastiest poutine in town! Restaurants can submit their creation using the online form.

Your restaurant will offer your poutine creation over the duration of the weekend in dine-in or takeout format. We recommend small-plate (side order) sized takeout portions with a fork, in consideration of Covid-19 public health orders and to encourage attendees to try a little poutine from each participating restaurant.

What doesn't taste good on top of fries? Participants in the Pass-the-Poutine contest will be promoted as a part of The BIG JIG event. Event attendees looking for a filling way to warm up will try all different types of poutines and visit your restaurant.

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Equipment Rental Providers | The BIG JIG

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!

Does your business rent out winter equipment?

Ice fishing shacks, rods, bait, snowshoes, cross country skis, ATVs, snowmobiles, fat bikes - anything that helps people get outside and enjoy winter! If your business is renting these items, let us know. We want to let others know about Equipment Rental Providers as part of The BIG JIG event and throughout the season! Businesses must be licensed with the Town of Sylvan Lake.

Email us to get started!

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Prize Sponsors | The BIG JIG

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!

Sponsor Random Draw Prizes

At The BIG JIG, all ice fishing Derby and Learn to Fish participants will be entered into random prize draws. Businesses are invited to sponsor a random prize by donating a prize over a $50 minimum retail value.

Interested in sponsoring a prize? Email us directly