The Town of Innisfil’s Economic Development Office has earned three award recognitions for its marketing initiatives.
They were named a finalist in the Tourism Marketing Campaign Award (Under $50,000) category at the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario’s 2026 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence for its Discover Lakeside Dining campaign. The awards recognize creativity, innovation and excellence across Ontario’s tourism industry.
The Discover Lakeside Dining campaign encouraged visitors to explore Innisfil’s lakeside dining experiences and discover local businesses. Through coordinated promotional efforts, the initiative highlighted the community’s waterfront offerings and encouraged residents and visitors to support local restaurants.
“Being named a finalist for the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence is a wonderful recognition of the work happening to showcase Innisfil’s unique lakeside dining experiences,” says Wendy Timpano, Economic Development Manager. “We’re proud to see this initiative recognized among tourism leaders across Ontario.”
The 2026 awards were presented last month in Ottawa as part of the Ontario Tourism Summit.
The Economic Development Office also received two Gold Awards at the 2026 MarCom Awards for its Entrepreneurial Journey Map, earning recognition in both the Guide and Informational categories.
Developed in partnership with regional business-support organizations, the interactive resource helps entrepreneurs navigate the business lifecycle by connecting them with programs, funding opportunities, workshops, networking opportunities, and other support services across Simcoe County.
The map guides users through five stages of business development:
- Dream
- Launch
- Grow
- Scale
- Exit
By bringing regional resources together in one accessible tool, it helps business owners identify their next steps and connect with organizations that can support their goals.
“Effective economic development marketing is about more than visibility; it’s about creating meaningful connections and making it easier for people to take action,” says Laura Thompson, Director of Strategic Initiatives. “With the Entrepreneurial Journey Map, we took a collaborative, user-focused approach to making business resources easier to navigate. These awards are a wonderful recognition of the creativity, collaboration and strategic thinking behind both initiatives.”
The three recognitions highlight the Economic Development Office’s focus on marketing that promotes Innisfil’s tourism experiences, supports local businesses and improves entrepreneurs’ access to resources.
The town’s Economic Development team will continue working to promote tourism, strengthen connections with local businesses and support economic growth.
For more information about economic development initiatives, entrepreneurial supports, news and events in Innisfil, click here.
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