Linda Simpson, Executive Director of the Georgian Triangle Tourist Association, recently made a presentation to Collingwood Council outlining the benefits of retaining an association between the town of Collingwood and the GTTA. The Georgian Triangle Tourist Association has a mission to lead and develop partnerships aimed at promoting this regional destination. The GTTA is seeking funding in the amount of $35,000.00 as the Town of Collingwood continues to prepare its 2009 budget.

Simpson told Collingwood Council that even though economic times are difficult, research indicates that visitors will still come to this region to enjoy the many recreational opportunities that exist. Simpson said that about 80 percent of all visitors to the area come from Ontario, thanks greatly to the region’s close proximity to metropolitan Toronto and the Golden Horseshoe.

The Town of Collingwood has purchased the building that houses the GTTA offices and visitor centre. Simpson said that this development certainly helped the GTTA reduce overhead and continue to grow.

In addition to funding from Collingwood, Simpson said that the Town of the Blue Mountains contributed $35,000.00 in 2008 to the GTTA. In addition, the GTTA received a free-for-service for its part in staffing the Depot information centre. In response to concerns raised at the council table that other surrounding communities have dropped out of the financial partnership with the GTTA, Simpson said that efforts remain ongoing to bring back financial partnerships with other communities that were once a part of the Georgian Triangle Tourist Association. Meetings are planned with town officials in Meaford before Christmas. Wasaga Beach presently is not a financial partner. This pleased councilor Dave Labelle who said the marketing of the region will be stronger with all community partners on board.

Simpson said that because the centre is “not for profit,” its goal is to seek funding in any way they can, including through growing membership numbers. The associations’ web site states that the GTTA membership presently stands at 274.

As has been the case in previous years, discussion arose regarding the branding methods of the “Georgian Triangle”.

Councilor Dave Labelle has had concerns in the past about how the Georgian Triangle region has been marketed by the centre, and how it has been perceived by potential visitors. “Well, if you want to go to Blue Mountain you go to Collingwood and turn left, and if you want to go swimming at the world’s longest fresh water beach you go to Collingwood and turn right. It is a concern of mine that we (Collingwood) be recognized, especially when $35,000.00 of tax payers money is going towards it” Labelle said. Labelle said that he likes new material that he has seen from the GTTA which positions Collingwood as the regional centre. “I like where it’s going very much” Labelle stated.

Councilor Ian Chadwick says that he finds visitors to the region are confused as to what geographical area is defined by the Georgian Triangle. “One of the problems is that they don’t know where it is, and they don’t know they’re in it” Chadwick said. “Most of the time when the come to ski at Blue they think they’re in Collingwood” Chadwick added. He wondered what additional efforts are needed to help visitors better understand the branding aspects of the Georgian Triangle.

Collingwood Economic Development Officer Catherine Durrant said that there may be funding available for additional signage to point travelers at the Collingwood – Georgian Triangle region, but these efforts have met with roadblocks in the past. “We’ve had difficulty working with the Ministry of Transportation because we can’t get our signage on the 400 series highways” Durrant said.

Mayor Chris Carrier said that council will consider the GTTA funding request as it considers other requests while preparing the town’s 2009 budget.