Thanks to all who came out to last night’s AGM. Approximately 40 people turned out to hear our executive director, Kathy Kennedy, talk about the highlights from the past year as well as what the future might hold. Carlyn Moulton, Taste the County board member (and co-owner of Oeno Gallery), also took the floor to speak about the very important Tourism Competitiveness Study, which was released in February by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism. As the study makes various recommendations including the establishment of new tourism regions and the standardization of Destination Marketing Fees (a fee on the room portion of a guest bill), we recommend our partners read it as it will affect us all.

In addition, the chair of the board, Ginny Merritt (Roger’s Hospitality) welcomed four new board members: Marilyn Carson of Carson Bay Farms, Bernie Gray of Bernie Gray Kayaking, Erin Jones of Terra Vista Landscape & Construction Supplies and Richard Johnston of By Chadsey’s Cairns Winery and Vineyard.

A fond farewell was also made to longtime board members Carl Joly (pictured above right), of One Main Street Bed and Breakfast and Jeremy Gander (left) of Ganders Bed & Breakfast. The two have served on our board so long that Ginny joked that no other board member could remember when they first started. We wish Carl and Jeremy all the very best!