Are you ready?
Navigating change starts September 15 & 16, 2025!
PRESENTED BY
Register Early and Save!
Early Bird Conference Passes
$399.00*
After July 5, 2025
$449.00*
*Plus HST
Registration includes: Monday, September 15 - 2 coffee breaks; lunch; Taste of Ontario Reception, dinner and evening entertainment. Tuesday, September 16 - Breakfast, lunch and 2 coffee breaks.
*White Oaks Resort Spa cut-off, August 13, 2025.
Join us for Resorts of Ontario 83rd Annual Season Summit
We are heading to Niagara-on-the-lake for the Season Summit, Resorts of Ontario's 83rd annual Conference and Trade Show...will you join us?
Season Summit brings together industry leaders, resort owners, marketers and hospitality professionals to explore the latest trends, marketing insights, and educational sessions as we navigate change, together.
Book today and reserve your seat at the table with the best-of-the-best in the resort industry. Space is limited.
"By changing nothing, nothing changes."
Anthony Robbins
2025 Keynote Speaker
Husband, Dad, 9-Time TEDx Speaker
Blake's innovative sales approaches, creative connection strategies and relationship-building methods have gotten him hired to deliver speeches on over 1000 in-person stages and invited to work with companies such as Lululemon, LinkedIn and Microsoft and Disney.
Blake loses every staring contest he engages in with his 2 toddler children named Koah and Summer, and he has a huge crush on his beautiful bride, Emily.
2025 Speakers
I think that 'the old ways' are crumbling (traditional education, 4o year career paths, even relationships—I mean, ChatGPT girlfriends are REAL and it freaks me out that people really have deep relationships with their chats... but I'll save that rant for another day!!!).
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There are efficiencies in ALL of our jobs right now, and you should be the one to adopt them, before someone else does. To advance my own knowledge and get up to speed, I just hired my own AI expert to help me analyze hundreds of hours of call transcripts to observe patterns and to see the full potential of what we can do once we have recorded material!
Gabrielle Mueller believes food is one of the most powerful connectors—and nothing beats good conversation around a table (ideally with a craft beer in hand). Growing up in Oxford County, she didn’t realize the value of local food until much later, when she saw its power to drive change and build community.​
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Certified as an Experiential Tourism Coach, Gabby helped bring several experiences to market—including the award-winning Tree to Table. Now as Marketing Manager at the Culinary Tourism Alliance, she leads a team that captures taste of place stories across the province, develops marketing strategy, and brings Canada’s food tourism experiences to life through content, campaigns, and community-building.
2025 SEASON SUMMIT SCHEDULE
Are you ready to...
Learn?
Network?
Level Up?
Resorts of Ontario's Season Summit is the ultimate event for the Ontario resort industry to come together, discuss what's important, build real relationships, and level up their businesses through shared learning, The world is changing fast and Season Summit speakers help expose all the exciting opportunities to not only survive but thrive in this new business environment. Check out the 2025 schedule and we look forward to connecting with you face-to-face.
DAY 1: Monday, September 15
Sessions + dinner are located in Studio 10/11
Breakfast and lunch located in the Sunny Hill Dining Room
Trade Show located in the Grand Event Ballroom
9:00 AM
Welcome
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Yvonne Stephenson, President, Resorts of Ontario/Blue Water Acres Resort
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John Langford, Chair, Conference Committee/Algonquin Log Cabin and Cottages
9:30 AM
Resorts of Ontario Strategy and Action Plan
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Resorts of Ontario Team Update
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Resorts of Ontario Strategy and Action Plan, Caroline Polgrabia, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming
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Questions and Answers
10 AM - 11 AM
Keynote Address
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Presented by Colleen Baker, People Corporation
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Keynote Speaker: Blake Fly, Inspirational Speaker, TED Talk.
11 AM
Refreshment Break
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30 minutes
11:30 AM
Panel Discussion: Navigating Change
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Our panelists will unlock a proven framework for successful change; plan, communicate, engage, train and evaluate. Learn how these core principles drive lasting transformation—only at this years' conference.
12 PM - 1 PM
Lunch provided by Smart Serve Ontario
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Happening in the Sunny Hill Dining Room
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Welcoming Remarks, Richard Anderson, Smart Serve Ontario
1 PM - 1:30 PM
SEO Fundamentals
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Join Chantal Sweeting and Jennifer Stubbs from Destination Ontario for SEO fundamentals, laying the path where people tread.
2 PM - 5:30 PM
Trade Show
Location: Grand Event Ballroom
Join Resorts of Ontario and check out all the preferred suppliers and exhibitors at this exciting trade show.
Interested in exhibiting at the trade show?
Book now to secure your opportunity to promote your products and services to resort owner-operators, General Managers and Marketing professionals.
6 PM - 7 PM
Taste of Ontario Reception
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Where? Lower Patio
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Hosted in collaboration with Culinary Tourism Alliance and Partners featuring Ontario wine, craft beer and cider.
7 PM
President's Dinner
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Location: Studio 10/11
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Emcee: Kevin Forget, Breakfast TV
Kevin Forget returned to his role as the Supervising Producer for Citytv’s Breakfast Television. In this role he oversees all aspects of the four-hour broadcast every morning. Before rejoining BT he was a Broadcast Media Specialist with Destination Ontario where he worked with broadcast media from across Canada and the U.S. to promote events, attractions and resorts year-round. Kevin also regularly appeared on CTV, Citytv, CHTV, The Weather Network and other stations to promote tourism in Ontario. His radio promotional segments also include interviews with CBC Fresh Air, Corus Radio and Bell Media.
DAY 2: Tuesday, September 16
Breakfast located in the Sunnyhill Dining Room
Sessions located in Studio 10/11
7 AM -
8:45 AM
Breakfast
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Join Resorts of Ontario and other event guests for a delicious start to the day.
9 AM
Kelsey Reidl - Strategies for Search, Turning Guests into Raving Plans
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Introduction by: Marcelo Regen, COO, People Corporation
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How to guarantee that your resort ranks on Search Engines like Google and ChatGPT
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Intro to SEO (Search EVERYWHERE Optimization)
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Learn how to implement a recurring marketing plan to boost rankings
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How to measure success
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A little final inspiration!
10 AM
Resort Marketers Forum - Marketing Challenges and Opportunities
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Hosted by: Jason Stanton, Marketing Chair, Resorts of Ontario/Bayview Wildwood Resort
10:45 AM -
11:15 AM
Break
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Enjoy some coffee, stretch your legs!
11:15 AM -
11:45 AM
Storytelling
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Gabrielle Mueller, Culinary Tourism Alliance
12 PM
Lunch
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Enjoy some coffee, stretch your legs!
1 PM -
1:45 PM
Bear Pit
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Hosted by: Mark Downing - An interactive Forum for Voluntary Discussions
Join Mark in this dynamic and open forum, where attendees are invited to engage in voluntary discussions that foster a deeper exchange of ideas and perspectives. This session, known as the "Bear Pit" is designed to create a safe space for participants to freely share their thoughts, challenges and experiences all while gaining insights from others in a collaborative and engaging environment.
Key Features:
Open Dialogue: Attendees have the opportunity to voice their opinions and ask questions in an inclusive setting, encouraging diverse perspectives.
Interactive Format: Rather than a traditional presentation, the BEAR PIT fosters dialogue-driven conversations where everyones input is valued.
Collaborative Problem-Solving: Use this platform to discuss real-world challenges, brainstorm solutions and benefit from the collective wisdown of the group.
Facilitated by Mark Downing: With Mark's expert facilitation, you'll be guided through thought-provoking discussions that encourage personal and professional growth.
1:45 PM
Closing Remarks - Yvonne Stephenson
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Finish the event with closing remarks from Yvonne Stephenson
Optional Afternoon Activities
Niagara-on-the-Lake Wine Tour (Approx. 3.5 hours. $125 +tax pp)
Visit a minimum of 3 wineries from the wide selection of the Niagara Region including tastings at each one for a comprehensive experience. Charcuterie provided by White Oaks.
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Advanced booking required, please call White Oaks Concierge at (905) 704-5608. Times vary. 18% gratuity will automatically be applied for parties of 6 or more. Now departing from the White Oaks lobby.
Helicopter Tours. $99
The 2025 Venue
White Oaks Resort and Spa
Nestled on 13 acres in the very heart of Niagara area attractions and wineries, White Oaks Resort & Spa delivers luxury hotel service and a host of outstanding amenities. A world class conference centre, Four Diamond accommodations, award-winning dining options with LIV Restaurant and Play Bar + Grill, the serene world of The Spa and the amazing fitness and racquet phenomenon The Club at White Oaks all welcome you.
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$239 +tax. Rooms will be released August 14th. Upgraqdes are available for an additional fee. The guest room rate for EARLY arrivals on Saturday is $339 +tax and extended stays on Tuesday will be $239 +tax per room, per night based on a single or double occupancy.
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Contact White Oaks at 1-800-263-5766 or use the button below to make your reservation.