Guelph Tourism is excited to announce the recipients of the 2026 funding programs. Together with Destination Marketing Guelph, strategic investments were made in the tourism industry enhancing Guelph’s tourism offerings to position the Guelph as a must-see visitor destination. Congratulations to the grant award recipients of 2026.
Destination Animation Fund Award Recommendations
The Destination Animation Fund is intended to encourage tourism product development to increase Guelph’s destination attractiveness. Applicants received up to $5,000 with a 10 per cent matching contribution requirement.
| The Guelph Jazz Festival | The creation of a visitor‑oriented zine that enhances the festival experience by providing accessible program information, artist highlights, and cultural context, helping attendees navigate the event and engage more deeply with Guelph’s music scene. | $2000 | City |
| Guelph and District Multicultural Festival Inc. | New visitor information tents and digital sign boards that improve wayfinding, accessibility, and visitor services at one of Guelph’s largest cultural festivals, supporting a more welcoming and informed attendee experience. | $2500 | City |
| Artworks Gallery Guelph | A curated map showcasing Guelph’s art galleries and creative spaces, designed to encourage cultural tourism, increase foot traffic to local galleries, and support self‑guided exploration of the city’s arts sector. | $1877 | City |
| Downtown Guelph Business Association (DGBA) | Programming for the 2026 Spirit of the Season Festival. | $5000 | City |
| The Good Games Festival Inc. | The creation of additional family-friendly programming includes an obstacle course that strengths the festival’s appeal to families. | $5000 | City |
| Guelph Dance | Guelph Dance will be partnering with the River Run Centre to present Svaha. This performance provides an opportunity to celebrate the South Asian community and supports Diwali celebrations in Guelph. | $3000 | City |
| Hillside Community Festival of Guelph | A shuttle service connecting Guelph Central Station to Guelph Lake, improving transportation options for festival goers and encouraging downtown visitation during the festival. | $5000 | City |
| Guelph Black Heritage Society | Support for the new “Lift Every Voice” Music Festival celebrating Black heritage, culture, and music. | $5000 | City |
| Urbex Walking Tours | Urbex will be partnering with the Boathouse to offer paranormal High Tea experience. | $1000 | DMG |
| John Sleeman & Sons Spring Mill Distillery | Support for Spirit Fest, a distillery‑based event that showcases local spirits and heritage, drawing craft‑beverage tourists to Guelph’s historic distilling district. | $2000 | DMG |
| Because Beer | Support for Because Beer, a craft beer festival that strengthens Guelph’s reputation as a regional hub for craft brewing, attracting beer enthusiasts and supporting local breweries. | $5000 | DMG |
| Royal City Music Group | Music programming will be integrated into Storm Games, enhancing the visitor experience for sports tourists. | $1000 | DMG |
| Kanoo Coffee | “Dry Bar” alcohol‑free nightlife programming that diversifies Guelph’s evening tourism offerings and appeals to visitors seeking inclusive, alternative social experiences. | $3000 | DMG |
| Three Pieces | Guelph Fashion Week will offer a multi‑day fashion event that positions Guelph as a creative hub, attracting regional visitors and showcasing local designers, makers, and venues. | $4500 | DMG |
| Royal City Brewing Company | Expanded fall Oktoberfest programming that attracts visitors seeking seasonal craft‑beer experiences and supports increased autumn tourism. | $4000 | DMG |
| SweetCheeses! | Development of a curated cheese trail highlighting local producers and culinary partners, designed to attract visitors and encourage self-guided exploration across the city. | $4000 | DMG |
| Wellington Brewery | Support for Welly Festival programming. | $4000 | DMG |
| Guelph.Beer | Additional themed activations and artist programming on the Beer Bus to enrich the visitor experience and strengthen Guelph’s appeal as a craft‑beverage destination. | $5000 | DMG |
Gather Here Sponsorship Fund Award Recommendations
The Gather Here Sponsorship Fund supports the attraction of events to Guelph—such as conferences, sporting events, and festivals—that contribute to the city’s tourism economy. Co-managed by the City and Destination Marketing Guelph (DMG), the Gather Here Sponsorship Fund aims to strategically distribute support among both for-profit and not-for-profit initiatives that align with increasing overnight stays at Municipal Accommodation Tax collecting accommodations and marketing opportunities for the City. Thank you for choosing Guelph!
| Organization | Event | Funding Recommended | DMG or City Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guelph Ringette Association | The University Challenge Cup, the national championship for university‑level ringette, is scheduled for December 27–31. The event is expected to draw approximately 10,000 participants and spectators to Guelph. The applicant projects that the tournament will generate an estimated 7,000 room nights at MAT‑collecting hotels, representing a significant tourism and economic impact opportunity. | $3,500 plus $1,000 in value for delegate bags. | City |
| Football Ontario | The Adult Flag Football Championships will take place in Guelph on June 12–13, bringing approximately 500 participants to the city. This event presents valuable partnership opportunities with the Detroit Lions, along with strong accommodation and marketing benefits for Guelph Tourism. It also offers a platform to enhance our visibility and strengthen relationships within the sports tourism sector. | $5,000 plus $1,500 for logo placement on jerseys. | City |
| Rugby Ontario | 2026 U19 Canadian Rugby Championship taking place from July 18-26, 2026. The event estimates 2000 room nights associated with the tournament. | $12,000 cash sponsorship. $1,500 in-kind contribution of delegates bags for 375 players and $1,000 in-kind contribution for ceremonial poppies for team captains. | City |
| Canadian Society for Virology | A four‑day conference at the Delta Hotel and Conference Centre in June, hosting approximately 300 participants. | $5,000 | City |
| University of Guelph, Department of Athletics – USport Rugby Championships | The championship will involve 500 athletes and coaches, with additional spectators expected for mixed rugby competitions at the University from July 18-26, 2026. Delegate bags will be provided as an in-kind contribution. | $15,000 plus in-kind contributions marketing and delegate bag contributions. | DMG |
Accessible Destination Program (Gaps & Needs) Award Recommendations
The Accessible Destination Program served as the 2026 Gaps and Needs Fund programming. The Gaps and Needs Fund supported targeted initiatives that address gaps in the tourism industry based on insights gathered through staff engagement with tourism operators and visitors. The Accessible Destination Program was designed to support a growing need to understand accessibility in tourism spaces and support visitors with trip planning. Successful grantees received:
- Accessibility Review by AccessNow
The City has partnered with AccessNow, a Canadian organization specializing in identifying and promoting the accessibility of public spaces. All successful applicants will receive an accessibility review conducted by AccessNow, with services funded through an $8,500 service agreement. These assessments provide detailed, practical insights to help operators understand and improve accessibility within their spaces. - Small‑Scale Accessibility Improvement Projects
After the review is complete, staff will work directly with each successful applicant to implement a visitor‑focused accessibility enhancement valued at up to $1,000.
| 2026 Grantees |
| Guelph and District Multicultural Festival Inc. |
| Guelph United Football Club |
| Wellington Brewery (on behalf of Guelph.Beer) |
| Hillside Community Festival of Guelph |
| Smitten Apparel |
| Guelph Dance |
| Silence |
| Fixed Gear Brewing Co. |