Chairperson's Update to Membership

Dear Valued Members,

The Board of Directors met this week and I am writing to update you regarding some important decisions we have made to help support our industry, among other things.

More Marketing Resources Shift to Operator Support Programs
The Board approved a reallocation of $600,000.00 in marketing monies back to GNWT ITI, so that increased operator supports could be delivered through GNWT’s “Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism” (GRIT) program. This is the second time this year our Board has reallocated marketing funds to increase help available for the tourism industry. In June this year, our Board had reallocated $400,000.00 back to GNWT ITI to contribute to the establishment of GRIT and to work with GNWT ITI to leverage additional federal dollars into this program. Year to date, NWT Tourism has moved $1,000,000.00 into industry support programs and as you know we also pivoted some of our marketing to put in place the Northern Staycation marketing for those who were open this summer to help them connect with NWT Resident clients
New Partnership with Destination Canada
While the GNWT and NWTT are working collaboratively to shift marketing resources into operator support programs, NWT Tourism has also secured additional marketing money in a new partnership with Destination Canada. This agreement sees Destination Canada investing $500,000.00 in NWTT’s marketing over the next two years and entry into this multi-year agreement was approved. This means that while we are redirecting marketing funds to provide operator support programs, we are looking to Destination Canada to help us continue the important work we need to do to create fresh and compelling marketing content that showcases our territory for those dreaming about travel in the future. Research shows that those who market during these difficult times will recover 9 times faster than if they retreat from marketing.
Board Member Adherence to By-Laws
Third, the board discussed the importance of adhering to our constitution and by-laws and of holding our board members to account for the duties of directors. The board reviewed and discussed the attendance record of board members and the importance of board members following the rules set out in our By-laws regarding attendance, as well as stepping up to serve on the board committees to support the success of our organization and this industry. The board made the decision to remove Mr. Dan Wong from the Board in accordance with the rules for removal of directors in our By-laws Article V. Section M, Item 1 and Item 2 which says “(1) Any Director, whether appointed or elected, may be expelled by a 2/3 majority vote of Directors for proven dishonest, for gross misconduct or failing to carry out duties as a Director. (2) Notice of inability to attend a Board meeting must be provided in writing to the Chairperson at least 24 hours prior to the start of the meeting. Absence from two sequential meetings by any Director without good cause will be grounds for replacement." The board's decision was a unanimous one.
You can reference our by-laws by clicking here. The remaining one-year term for this seat on the board will now be filled in the online election by the candidate that places fourth in the upcoming election.

The Board also directed that the record of board attendance and the record of Board Member participation in Board Committees be released to the membership.
You can click here to see board attendance records and here to see board member participation on board committees.
Tourism Industry Survey Results & 2020 Resolutions
Following a review of our industry survey results, which we will release to you next week, the Board discussed the key advocacy themes that have emerged. Direction has been provided to the Board’s Resolution Committee to draft member resolutions that will establish advocacy priorities going into 2021. These resolutions will be brought to our membership for approval at the November 5th AGM. They will address our industry’s need for a clear timeline and roadmap for the safe reopening of the borders and express our hope that there is a path forward to enable a summer season in 2021. They will address the need for more liquidity support until borders reopen, the need for rapid testing to significantly reduce self-isolation and support borders opening safely and the need for governments to change the way they communicate about COVID-19 so that public health communications issued can help manage health and position our territory for a quick return by NWT Residents to the spectacular northern hospitality. The Resolution Committee, made up of board members Dana Hibbard and Joy O’Neill, and Cathie Bolstad have now commenced this work. They will have these proposed resolutions ready to share with you as members in the near future. They will also be issuing a communication next week regarding the process for bringing forward proposed member resolutions to the Resolutions Committee in advance of the AGM
Annual General Meeting Update
in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the limitations we have in bringing our membership together via ZOOM Technology for the AGM, the Board has approved some one- time changes in how the AGM will be managed this year. While we normally allow observers and non-voting members into the AGM, the ZOOM poll platform that we will be using to enable all members to vote on motions and resolutions has no way of limiting those who come into the ZOOM meeting from participating in the polls. For this reason, only voting members will be able to attend the AGM this year and because the control feature to allow voting members in is linked to the poll feature, no proxies will be made available this year only. The board does note that having the meeting by ZOOM significantly increases the availability of the AGM for members as they can attend from any location as long as they have an internet connection.
Please mark your calendars for 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Thursday, November 5th. I encourage all voting members to download the ZOOM app and set the time aside in your calendars now, so you don’t miss the opportunity to participate. We will be making the minutes for the AGM 2020 available to all members as quickly as we can, so that non-voting members are updated on the meeting shortly thereafter.

In closing, I would like to thank all of you who completed the recent tourism industry survey. The results will be released on Monday, but already we have begun to use these results to advocate to both territorial and federal governments for continued and new supports for our industry, as we all navigate the uncertainty and negative impacts of COVID-19. I also want to thank Cathie, her staff, Outcrop Communications (our Agency of Record), Ollie Williams Media (our Social Media Contractor), and our General Sales Agents, all who are working tirelessly to keep destination Northwest Territories alive as a place to visit for travellers dreaming about travel in the future and for finding creative ways to support our industry through this difficult time.

Have a good weekend everyone.

Harold Grinde
Chairperson – NWT Tourism