City to Begin Recruiting Board of Directors for Tourism Mississauga

The City of Mississauga is getting ready to begin the process of recruiting for and establishing the Board of Directors for Tourism Mississauga.

Previously, Council authorized staff to proceed with establishing a Municipal Services Corporation. The not-for-profit tourism entity – Tourism Mississauga was created as the destination marketing organization for Mississauga with a mandate of continuing to successfully implement the Council-approved Tourism Master Plan.  The City will enter into a two-year funding agreement with the newly established corporation – with the option to renew for another three years. Tourism Mississauga is funded by the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) which has been in place since April 1, 2018.

“Mississauga is quickly becoming a top tourism destination in the GTA. From our magnificent waterfront to inspiring cultural festivals, world-class sporting events, live music, creative arts, dining and much more, there is certainly no shortage of things to see and do in Mississauga,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “From our growing economic base and rich cultural diversity, we have all the right ingredients in place for a healthy tourism destination. The new board will help us advance our tourism goals and put Mississauga on the map as an international destination.”

Recruitment for the new Tourism Mississauga Board of Directors will begin on Thursday, March 12. The Board will be composed of two City Councillors and up to 12 external stakeholders representing relevant tourism sectors in the City including:

• Accommodation – (4 representatives)
• Retail/Restaurant/Culinary – (2 representatives)
• Attractions/Festival/Event – (2 representatives)
• Other services/organizations/venues (at-large) – (4 representatives)

With the establishment of Tourism Mississauga and the recruitment for the Board of Directors set to get underway, the City’s Tourism Advisory Board will be dissolved.

“I am very proud of the work accomplished by the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board and I want to thank all of our advisory board members for their commitment, dedication and passion to growing Mississauga’s tourism sector. You have helped us put Mississauga on the map,” said Pat Saito, Ward 9 Councillor and Chair of the Mississauga Tourism Advisory Board. “Our new Board of Directors will carry on our work advancing Mississauga as a tourist destination and implementing our Tourism Master Plan.”

“The Board of Directors will be responsible for developing the business plans and budget for Tourism Mississauga, directing the activities of the organization, including bids for events and attractions, and administering funding programs to promote tourism,” said Shari Lichterman, Director of Recreation.

Lichterman has been appointed CEO of Tourism Mississauga and will work with the new Board of Directors to implement the Board’s plans and vision.

Application Process – Board of Directors Tourism Mississauga

The City’s Clerks Office will begin accepting applications for Tourism Mississauga’s Board of Directors on Thursday, March 12, 2020. Watch mississauga.ca and our social media channels for more information.

The recommendations and bylaws regarding Tourism Mississauga’s proposed structure, operations and Board of Directors recruitment outlined in the Corporate Report Tourism Mississauga – New Tourism Corporation are set to go to Council for final approval on March 4. For more information about Tourism in Mississauga visit discovermississauga.ca.

Background:
In 2017, the Government of Ontario brought in regulation permitting municipalities to implement a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT). On February 7, 2018 City Council approved the implementation of a MAT Tax. This law went into effect on April 1, 2018. Government of Ontario legislation requires 50 per cent of the MAT funds collected by a municipality be directed to an eligible non-profit organization.

In July 2019, City Council approved plans to create a Tourism Municipal Services Corporation now known as Tourism Mississauga.