Owen Sound Tourism Development Fund Appoints Tourism Facilitator, Opens Funding for Event Marketing
The Owen Sound Tourism Development Fund has named Mariam Fares as its new Tourism Entity Facilitator and is offering $15,000 in funding to support marketing for established tourism events in the city.
The Owen Sound Tourism Development Fund (OSTDF) has appointed Mariam Fares as its new Tourism Entity Facilitator, a one-year contract role created to support the administration of local tourism funding initiatives under the City’s Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) program.
The position, posted in May 2025 by the Owen Sound & District Chamber of Commerce, is responsible for implementing the MAT Action Plan, coordinating funding programs, maintaining financial records, and supporting the work of the OSTDF committee.
Fares brings over ten years of experience in municipal government, particularly in community development and strategic planning.
The OSTDF is the working name of the committee established to manage the portion of MAT revenues directed to tourism development and promotion. Under provincial rules, at least 50 per cent of MAT revenue—collected from overnight accommodations—must be provided to an eligible tourism entity.
In Owen Sound, the Chamber of Commerce was designated as that entity in 2024, and the OSTDF committee was formed to oversee how those funds are allocated.
The committee is composed of local tourism stakeholders from sectors including accommodations, dining, events, sports, and the arts. It does not operate as a separate board but as a stakeholder-led committee with a designated chair.
In conjunction with Fares’ appointment, the OSTDF has announced that $15,000 in discretionary funding will be available in 2025 to support marketing for already established events that contribute to local tourism.
“The OSTDF Committee is excited to announce we have allotted $15,000 of discretionary funds for 2025 available to help already established events with marketing opportunities,” said OSTDF Chair Nick Lovell in a statement.
Eligible applicants must be tourism operators hosting an existing event in Owen Sound, with funding proposals focused specifically on marketing. Proposals can be submitted to Mariam Fares at mariam@oschamber.com.
Additional tourism funding opportunities, including broader application programs, are expected to be launched later this year.
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