Elevate Peterborough - Tourism Support and Resources

The World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) defines tourism as a social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal or business/professional purposes. These people are called visitors (which may be either tourists or excursionists; residents or non-residents) and tourism has to do with their activities, some of which involve tourism expenditure.

Our definition of a visitor as someone traveling more than 40km for tourism purposes, which is line with the definition used by the provincial government. This includes travel for business, sport (including fishing), recreation (including hiking, canoeing, kayaking, and cycling), cultural, culinary, and leisure purposes.

Elevate Peterborough will run as an exploratory pilot program in 2026. During this time, the process will be adapted and refined to ensure the process is clear and accessible. Opportunities for feedback will be available in the application form. The program will be evaluated in 2027. 

During the pilot period applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applications must be submitted 120 days prior to your event. During the pilot period, late submissions may be considered at the discretion of City staff.

To be eligible for support and resources through Elevate Peterborough, applicants must: 

• Be a legal entity is (1) an individual, (2) a corporation or (3) a partnership (general or limited).
• The insured(s) on the Certificate of Insurance for the event must be the same legal person(s). 
• Not be in default of the terms and conditions of any permits, fees, taxes, grant or loan agreement with any division, agency, board or commission of the City of Peterborough.
• Understand their role will be to follow-up directly with the proper authorities regarding approvals and permits for all event activities. This will ensure that all necessary approvals and permits will be in place before the actual date(s) of the event. 
• Have an event that is accessible and inclusive.
• Have an event that occurs or has the majority of accommodations (hotel rooms), programs or activities in the City of Peterborough.

Events that have already occurred are not eligible. Eligible events for support include, but is not limited to:

• Conferences or galas
• Music or cultural festivals
• Culinary festivals or events
• Art festivals or events
• Trade shows
• Educational events or seminars
• Sporting events
• Tournament Season
• Championships
• Other events that meet the criteria requirements

• Organizations receiving Community Investment Grants or Community Project Grants
• Applicants who are not legal entities. A legal entity is (1) an individual, (2) a corporation or (3) a partnership (general or limited)
• Organizations involved in partisan political activities
• Organizations engaged in political activity supporting or opposing any political party, elected representative, or candidate for public office
• Organizations with a mandate or history of political or advocacy activities, such as furthering the aims of a political party; promoting a political doctrine; or persuading the public to adopt a particular political view
• Faith organizations where funding is directly supporting services/activities that include the promotion and/or required adherence to a faith
• Hospitals, clinic-based services or medical treatment programs
• Fundraising events
• Programs within legislated mandates of other government or city departments
• Organizations receiving 80% or more of funding from senior levels of government
• Costs for major capital equipment/renovations and minor renovations; and financing of deficits

Caveats

• Financial support requests must be tied to one specific event-related expense or enhancement.
• Financial support for tournaments will only be provided if it is national or provincial in scope.
• For support related to in-kind rental or use of City-owned facilities, staff will follow the Arena Division Ice Allocation Policy to ensure equitable use of space and fair treatment of groups who may be displaced due to an event.

Exclusions:

Support that is not offered include, but is not limited to:

• Directly booking hotels, managing hotel room bookings, creating room blocks.
• Organizing or staffing the entirety of an event.
• Offering financial support with no substantial data that is a tourism event.
• Completing permit applications for the event or activities related to the event.
• Capital costs related to permanent structures and acquisitions (e.g. materials, labour, motorized vehicles, land acquisition, purchase of equipment for construction, etc.).
• Alcohol-related purchases or permits.
• Core administration and overhead costs such as rent, telephone and communication lines/services, computers, utilities, insurance, maintenance costs and any operational expenses related to ongoing organizational activities.
• Permanent staff salaries and travel costs.
• Legal, audit and interest fees.
• Taxes, including refundable Harmonized Sales Tax or other refundable expenses.