Northern Alberta Development Council Northwest Opportunity Seminar Fairview

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1 Northern Alberta Development Council Northwest Opportunity Seminar Fairview February 17, 2006

2 Contents Introduction 1 Background 1 Seminar Agenda 2 Session Highlights 3 Introduction The Fairview Opportunities Seminar took place on December 1 st 2005 at the Dunvegan Inn. The seminar was developed through consultation with local municipal officials from the Town of Fairview, the MD of Fairview and the MD of Clear Hills. The seminar was intended to help local residents develop employment and business opportunities and pursue ideas to benefit the region in value added and Ag-tourism. Background The Town of Fairview and other nearby municipalities were concerned with the announced closure of the Hines Creek Canfor Sawmill, one of the biggest employers in the region. The closure of the mill would impact the region negatively as employees in the mill would have to look for other options for employment in the region or elsewhere. In addition the effects of the mill closure would impact the regions economics due to tax loss, retail and business structure uncertainty, and other community and economic development issues. In response to these concerns the Northern Alberta Development Council offered to provide assistance to the region to try and help find solutions for the region to offset the negative impact of the mill closure. A meeting was held with the Town of Fairview and the MD of Clear Hills, as well as representatives from: Alberta Economic Development, Human Resources and Employment, and Sustainable Resources to identify strategies that could be implemented and brainstorm ideas that could lead to developing economic opportunities. The group began by identifying the strengths of the region and itemizing industry and sector 1

3 concentrations that existed and had the potential to be developed. During a Fairview and Area municipalities meeting on June 20 th the committee identified some of the items in which they would like to have more details on. Items included: Clear Hills Connector Road Glacier Power Intensive Livestock Value Added Agriculture Oil Related Business Tourism Business Succession Planning Pilot Project Community Economic Development Accreditation Process (CEDAP) Training Business Inventory NADC suggested that there was a possibility that an Opportunity Seminar could be organized in the region to bring in presenters that would be able to provide details related to some of the items that were of interest. An opportunity seminar could be used to present on topics that would offer some valuable information on specific business and employment opportunities. NADC was approached to help put together an Opportunity Seminar related to Value Added Agriculture and Ag-Tourism. The seminar was held at the Dunvegan Inn on December 1 st. The Inn provided an excellent backdrop for the seminar and all delegates were pleased with the logistics. Please see the following Seminar Agenda for an outline of the opportunity seminar proceedings and the session description for a brief review of each presentation. Seminar Agenda 8:30 a.m. Registration 9:00 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks - Ms. Carmen Ewing, NADC Council Member - Mr. Rick Nicholson, Mayor, Town of Fairview - Mr. Ernie Newman Deputy Reeve, Municipal District of Fairview 9:30 a.m. Mike Wo, Tourism Research Analyst, Tourism Development Branch, Alberta Economic Development 10:20 a.m. Break 10:40 a.m. Elizabeth Kuhnel, Tourism Project Officer, Alberta Economic Development 11:10 a.m. Tam Andersen, Chairperson, Country Soul Stroll 12:00 p.m. Lunch and Networking 12:45 p.m. Martine Bolinger, Network Development Team, Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 1:20 p.m. Marianne Mack, Facility Supervisor, Historic Sites and Cultural Facilities Branch, Alberta Community Development 1:40 p.m. Ken Zurfluh, Northwest Area Manager, Parks and Protected Areas, Alberta Community Development 2:00 p.m. Doug Macaulay, Woodlot Specialist, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 2:45 p.m. Break 3:00 p.m. Business Development Awareness - Kamie Currie, Enterprise Facilitator, Sirolli Business Centre - Jeremy Spencer, Environmental Health Inspector, Peace Country Health - Sherry Stromstedt, Agent, R&R Insurance 4:10 p.m. Closing Remarks, Carmen Ewing, NADC Council Member 4:20 p.m. Adjournment 2

4 Session Highlights Mike Wo, Tourism Research Analyst, Tourism Development Branch, Alberta Economic Development 6 th fl Commerce Place Street Edmonton, AB T5J 4L6 Phone: Fax: michael.wo@gov.ab.ca In business, understanding who your markets are and how to attract them is very important for success. Tourism businesses are no different. The more information you can provide to entrepreneurs in a new Ag- Tourism or tourism venture the more you are directing them to success. Mike Wo provided information on the segmentation analysis of the Alberta travel market. Mr. Wo provided some market insight regarding the different divisions of people and the distinct characteristics and associated activities of the market groups that might be attracted to different products and services in the town of Fairview and the surrounding regions. Participants at the seminar could use this information to determine possible markets and identify some of the changes that are taking place in the type of markets coming to the region. Elizabeth Kuhnel, Manager, Tourism Product Development, Alberta Economic Development 6th fl Commerce Place Street Edmonton, AB T5J 4L6 Phone: Fax: elizabeth.kuhnel@gov.ab.ca Ms. Kuhnel discussed how a region can build on its strengths collectively to create tourism product opportunities. She stressed that it is important for regions to understand that by working together it can create a diverse amount of product that both local and outside visitors will find interesting. Regions throughout Alberta have realized that they have the potential to become first rate tourism destinations if they work together. Together as a partnership they are able to compliment one another and provide interesting packaged products for the tourism market. Inventorying their tourism assets and compiling them into a tourism development plan, regions and groups have been able to develop strategies for coordinating tourism programs and marketing, improving tourism infrastructure and advancing their ideas into key tourism projects. The information was important for those who may be considering an entrepreneurial activity related to tourism as statistics provide a clear picture of who their markets would be and their markets spending characteristics. It helped delegates to obtain a greater understanding of some of the market trends that are taking place. 3

5 Tam Anderson, Owner Prairie Gardens and Greenhouses Box 119 Bon Accord, AB TOA OKO Bus: Fax: Home Office: Website: Ms. Anderson has spent 20 years building her horticultural and Ag-Tourism business, Prairie Gardens and Greenhouses, just north of Edmonton in Bon Accord. Due to Ms. Anderson s success in this area she provided some very good practical information on getting from the idea stage to implementation of an Ag-Tourism project. She provided information on several on-farm festivals each year and is involved in several Ag-Tourism projects the Country Soul Stroll, and Visit the Country Guide. This award winning partnership initiative has been nominated for Travel Alberta Alto Awards for marketing and the Country Soul Stroll is the 2004 winner of the Alberta Agriculture Growing Alberta Leadership Award in the category of innovation. Her work shows how important it is to develop a good relationship between agriculture and the communities in which a tourism business exists and how important working together is in developing successful Ag-Tourism products. Martine Bolinger, Network Development Team Agriculture, Food and Rural Development 1st fl Provincial Building Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6J4 Phone: Fax: martine.bolinger@gov.ab.ca Working together with a group of dedicated, passionate people can achieve so much. The Learn AgriFood Network is a fine example of getting people to come together to work on agriculture related projects. The Network brings together people with their peers to build businesses of agriculture or rural based experiences, products and services. Business owners share challenges and help one another find possible solutions. The Network promotes Ag-Tourism clusters which is a group of like-minded stakeholders and operators who come together to increase the profile for their operations and geographic area along an Ag Tourism theme. The presentation provided a clear indication that more cluster development is needed in the north to help this industry develop beyond where it is right now. Using as monthly newsletter the network is able to provide updates to members on industry information, connect people to workshops and conferences and highlight meeting actions. The Network also uses a column in the Peace Country Sun called Proudly Peaceful Products to highlight local entrepreneurial successes. 4

6 Ms. Bolinger encapsulated the work of the Network by providing a unique and fun filled presentation on how to set the stage for growth in this industry by stating that good communication, networking and education is needed for success. Marianne Mack, Facility Supervisor, Historic Sites and Cultural Facilities Branch, Alberta Community Development Old St. Stephen's College Street Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 Phone: Fax: marianne.mack@gov.ab.ca The historic Dunvegan Provincial Park site is one of eleven developed historic sites administered by Community Development. It is important as a destination for both students and tourists because of its historical significance in the development of the northwest region of the province. Ms. Mack s presentation provided some background on why Historical Dunvegan is significant, how it is currently marketed in the system of historic sites, its economic impact and on potential opportunities for future development. The Town of Fairview feels that the site is of great economic potential, however it is under promoted. The region is interested in working closer in partnership with Alberta Community Development to capitalize more on its historical significance. For the region it is one of the most important tourism resources that they have with the potential to impact tourism growth and generate business opportunities. Ken Zurfluh, Northwest Area Manager, Parks and Protected Areas Alberta Community Development 1st fl Provincial Building Street Grande Prairie, AB T8V 6J4 Phone: Fax: ken.zurfluh@gov.ab.ca Parks are an important part of the Northern Alberta economy. Parks are areas of geological, cultural, ecological and scientific interest and are used for enjoyment and outdoor recreational activities. Some of the important roles of the Parks and Protected Areas division are to develop parks in a way that will help to provide places for peaceful reflection & enjoyment and to inform, inspire, and involve Albertans and visitors, but also to promote appropriate tourism and visitor experiences and to generate sustainable economic opportunities. Mr. Zurfluh provided some additional information concerning further development of the Dunvegan Historic Provincial Park as well as, some details on partnerships that have been created in other protected areas in the north. Ken indicated that there were opportunities to work closer with Parks and Protected Areas to increase the capacity of some of the protected sites in the region. 5

7 Doug Macaulay, Woodlot Specialist, Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Main fl Provincial Building Avenue Peace River, AB T8S 1T4 Phone: Fax: The Woodlot Extension Program is a joint venture of government, forest industry and conservation organizations. Its goals are to increase awareness of the economic, social and environmental implications of agricultural area forest management, increase landowner participation in sustainable woodlot management and agroforestry and encourage integrated community land use planning that acknowledges the values of forest resources Only a small portion of the agricultural area in Alberta is being managed as sustainable woodlots. Landowners not only need to be aware of the economic and social benefits of sustainable woodlot management but must actively manage these areas in a sustainable fashion to protect the resource and achieve land use goals. Mr. Macaulay reviewed the potential of woodlots in the province and the potential of forestry valued added developments through these unique ecosystems. Doug explained that each individual woodlot or forested area, regardless of its size, has some unique qualities. Doug provided some examples of diverse economic development projects in process and how some owners of woodlots create additional sources of income for their owners. Business Development Panel Session The panel of speakers presented on a variety of topics concerning business development awareness. For anyone interested in opening a business in the region, this type of information is vital for new entrepreneurs before moving forward with an idea. Topics included; How to work with the town or local MD; necessary start-up permits; available business development assistance; health and safety requirements related to Ag Tourism businesses; and insurance requirements for businesses. Kamie Currie, Enterprise Facilitator Sirolli Entrepreneurial Business Centre Box 2355 Fairview, AB T0H 1L0 Phone: kcurriejm@telusplanet.net Ms. Currie discussed the bylaws that need to be followed to have an Ag business within the MD and the permits/bylaws that need to be addressed if building something within the Town limits. She also provided information on what the Business Centre has to offer in terms of assisting aspiring entrepreneurs with business plan development, market research and financial requirements, within the four municipalities. 6

8 Jeremy Spencer: Environmental Health Inspector Fairview Health Complex P.O. Bag 2201, Street Fairview AB, T0H 1L0 Phone: Mr. Spencer s presentation reviewed some basic health & safety requirements related to developing small enterprises. In particular Special Acknowledgement Kamie Currie with the Sorelli Business Centre in Fairview was designated as contact person for NADC and provided considerable assistance to the NADC and staff with the organization of the seminar. Kamie kept in constant contact with the Fairview group in the region and provided assistance to questions and queries that the NADC had during the organization process. 1) Implications of the Alberta Health, Bed and Breakfast Health Standards and Guidelines, ) Implications of the Alberta Labour, Bed & Breakfast Accommodation and the Alberta Building Code, ) Minimum treatment requirements for dugout water to be safe for food preparation and drinking 4) Peace Country Health Recommendations for Petting Zoos Sherry Stromstedt, Insurance Agent R&R Insurance Box 1930 Fairview, AB T0H 1L0 Phone: Fax: Ms. Stromstedt provided some valuable information by analyzing some of the unique elements of developing an Ag-Tourism enterprise and relating that to what type of insurance requirements someone would need in place. Working directly with an insurance agent will allow you to understand what your needs are and help them to customize an insurance program that fits you and your business. 7

Mission Through cooperation of businesses, residents, and governments, the tourism industry will develop, promote, and care for our great outdoors.

Mission Through cooperation of businesses, residents, and governments, the tourism industry will develop, promote, and care for our great outdoors. Clearwater Regional Tourism Strategy - DRAFT Vision Where the adventurous can renew their spirit through experiencing the challenge of water, wildlife, and wilderness unique to the Clearwater Region. Mission