As a gateway to the North Cape Coastal Drive the City is well-positioned to capitalize on its waterfront location.

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1 Membership Program 2015 About Us Tourism Summerside, is an industry collaborative which exists to enhance Summerside, Prince Edward Island as a four season visitor destination for the benefit of its members and the community. The volunteer-driven Board of Directors works on behalf of the membership to pursue product development, marketing and industry education opportunities for Summerside. Tourism Summerside has existed for over a decade. Governed by a 14-member volunteer Board of Directors, the organization has one full-time administrative position. An Executive Director provides support and direction for the Tourism Summerside Board of Directors, manages the Visitors Destination Centre, and assists with membership services and day to day operations of the center and of the Association as well as initiates projects, prepares and implements action plans, evaluates results, liaises with governments and manages the projects and resources of the Association. The group developed a strategic business plan in 2012, and moved forward in a branding process to position the city in a way that it hopes will achieve its goals, including securing Summerside as a four season tourism destination. In May 2014, Tourism Summerside launched the new brand: Explore Summerside. Explore Summerside staff and Board of Directors have strong community ties. The Board of Directors consists of entrepreneurs, local business owners/operators and professionals. Explore Summerside has been active in the North Cape Coastal Partnership development and attended Best Practice Missions. As a gateway to the North Cape Coastal Drive the City is well-positioned to capitalize on its waterfront location. In 2014, Summerside successfully worked to draw the Atlanticade Motorcycle Festival during the Canada day long weekend. This three year commitment attracts over 12,000 motorcycle enthusiasts each year. Summerside will be launching their own motorcycle event, SummeRide, this 2015 Summer. Building on the success of last year s Signature Event Beef n Blues, under the PEI Fall Flavours banner, Explore Summerside is poised to excel and strengthen such products/experiences over the years.

2 MISSION: Explore Summerside is an industry collaborative which exists to facilitate and enhance Summerside, Prince Edward Island as a four season visitor destination for the benefit of its members, visitors and the community. The volunteer-driven Board of Directors works on behalf of the membership to pursue product development, marketing and industry education opportunities for Summerside. VISION for 2015: We will have a solid membership base; work cooperatively with other tourism-related organizations and businesses to be the conduit for tourism information and assistance to members in order to increase Summerside tourism business (visits, dollars.) What Explore Summerside Offers Information Services: Thousands of people visit the Summerside Visitor Destination Centre for information services annually Year round operation of the Visitor Destination Centre Information services offered through our toll-free number, website, Live Chat, Facebook and Twitter Partnerships: Explore Summerside works in partnership with a number of community and regional organizations which help to showcase this dynamic region. Some of these include: Tourism PEI Tourism Industry Association Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) Tourism Advisory Council (TAC) Regional Tourism Association (RTA) North Cape Coastal Touring Area Partnership (NCCTAP) City of Summerside Meetings and Conventions Prince Edward Island Fall Flavours Festival Summerside Regional Development Corporation (SRDC) Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce Downtown Summerside Summerside Sustainable Tourism Initiative (SSTI)

3 Tourism Publications: Explore Summerside s e-newsletter: The Explorer Our e-newsletter delivers important news, funding opportunities, educational opportunities and links. Explore Summerside websites: and Mobile Site, events calendar accessible with a QR code. Our new weekly distribution of local events & activities (seasonal) Marketing Objectives: Actively involved in packaging and familiarization tours. Provide information packages to conferences, meetings, recruitment drives, and special event coordinators. Membership Benefits - Explore Summerside Associate Member (Free) Correspondence: Explore Summerside keeps you up to date by sharing Explore Summerside related information. Logo/Branding Use: Use of Summerside logo/brand for marketing purposes; advertising, packaging Optimum Rewards Member ($125) Voting Privileges: Voting privileges which allow members to provide direction to Explore Summerside and elect industry professionals to the Board of Directors (one vote per organization.) Most importantly, membership gives you a voice in establishing the direction of Explore Summerside and effective lobbying of tourism concerns. Board Representation Ability: Ability to gain a seat on the Explore Summerside Board of Directors (one individual per organization.)

4 Directors are elected by the membership at the Annual General Meeting. Directors serve for a two-year term, and shall be eligible for re-election after each term. Correspondence: Explore Summerside keeps you up to date by sharing correspondence from Explore Summerside and our community and regional partners (listed above.) Listing on Explore Summerside Websites: Business listing on Explore Summerside website: and includes: pictures of your business; directional and contact information and link to your business website. Advertise your job posting on our website. Promote your events on our on-line calendar. Promotion of Events on Explore Summerside Facebook Page and Twitter Feed: Promotion of your events on our social media pages. Marketing: Members are given first opportunity to participate in marketing initiatives. The opportunity to participate in joint marketing and promotions with other partners; share and learn best practices. Members' brochures are displayed in the Summerside Visitor Destination Centre Marketing workshops and information sessions are offered (and sometimes presented) by Explore Summerside, allowing members the opportunity to network and partner with other industry operators. Logo/Branding Use: Use of Summerside logo/brand for marketing purposes; advertising, packaging Newsletter: Receive The Explorer Our e-newsletter delivers important news, funding and educational opportunities, and links. Explore Summerside keeps you up-to-date with local and provincial tourism trends and activities through the e-newsletter. Advertise your job posting for free in our e-newsletter

5 Affiliated Memberships (included in Optimum Rewards Membership fee) North Cape Coastal Touring Area Partnership (NCCTAP) Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island (TIAPEI) Benefits of NCCTAP Affiliated Membership Include: Voting Privileges Board Representation Ability NCCTAP Correspondence Priority Usage of the Canadian Oyster Coast Shucking Station. Business listing on NorthCapeDrive.com and CircuitNorthCape.com Member Rates on all NCCTAP Initiatives Marketing Logo/Branding Use NCCD Touring Guide Business Listing Benefits of TIAPEI Affiliated Membership Include (Appendix A): Accessadvisor.ca Discount NEBS Business Products Discount Island Petroleum Heating Oil Discount Cooke Insurance Benefit Petro Pass Gasoline Discount Program Petro-Canada TIAPEI E-News Bulletins TIAPEI Quarterly Tourism Tides Publication TIAC Affiliate Membership Publications Budget Car Rental Maritime Rental Discounts Colours Signs and Print Discounted Promotional Banners Membership Registration Rates for AGM and Annual Tourism Conference

6 Membership Duration The $125 + HST membership level is an annual membership which entitles you to be an Explore Summerside member for a year. How to Join as a Member of Explore Summerside To become a member of Explore Summerside, call our office at or Jennifer@exploresummerside.com and we will be happy to send you the application form, or print the form found below. You can mail or drop off your completed application and payment to our office. If you would like to drop by our office you can find us at: Explore Summerside 124 Heather Moyse Dr. Summerside, PE C1N 5Y8