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Feature Story
Tourisn InnovatioNS Days
On April 26 and 27, more than 140 members of the Nova Scotia tourism industry came together for the inaugural Tourism InnovatioNS Days.

Toni Newman - Customer Touchpoint Innovation  Toni Newman
 Customer Touchpoint Innovation
 Powerpoint Presentation (2.1MB PDF)
The event featured a keynote address and workshop by Toni Newman, a five-time award-winning business owner and highly sought after professional speaker. Toni’s powerful message-attract, keep and engage more customers more often-applied to any tourism business, and was supported by practical tools and techniques.

Nancy McTiernan, owner of Sweet Spot Chocolate Shop, who attended the session said, "I came away from the Tourism InnovatioNS Days inspired and energized. I learned how to improve my business in a way that is do-able and effective and something that me, and my staff, can get excited about. This will definitely help our business."

Professionals from all sectors of the industry were able to take away Toni’s valuable messages, including "you can’t get where you’re going without letting go of where you’ve been" and "why me and not them?" Toni focussed on her Customer Touchpoint Innovation, encouraging industry members to think about the potential touchpoints in their business, where they intertact with their customers, and how they can reset their customer’s expectations during each one.

"The standout keynote address and subsequent workshop provided by Toni Newman were timely and very much appreciated," said Danny Morton, General Manager of White Point. "In these challenging times of making sure product is fresh, relevant and distinguishable in the global tourism marketplace, Ms Newman provided our industry with an opportunity for focussed, reality-based reflection. The time spent was informative, productive and invigorating. Thanks to the Department for bringing Toni's important messages and perspective to all of us who attended."

Several businesses were on hand to discuss how they have developed from small operations into successful nationally and internationally recognized and award-winning tourism businesses.

At the event, industry members also learned the latest tourism statistics from our research team, including important information on who is visiting Nova Scotia, what they are doing while they are here, emerging trends, and how they can access and use this information to help develop their businesses.

The audience also discovered several new features now available on novascotia.com. Michele Sears, Technology Resource Coordinator, demonstrated the new website opportunities available to industry, how to access them and use them to their full potential.

Please visit www.gov.ns.ca/econ/tourism/innovations.asp to access additional InnovatioNS Days workshop presentations and information.