Capacity Building Program: Beyond Bienvenue

Beyond Bienvenue is designed to support tourism businesses in strengthening the experience for Francophone and French-speaking visitors to Ottawa. In preparation for the 2028 Sommet de la Francophonie, the program will help members build their capacity to welcome visitors in both official languages and identify opportunities to strengthen French-language service throughout the visitor experience. 

Participants will gain practical tools, insights and resources to build staff confidence and better serve French-speaking visitors. Through expert guidance and peer learning, members will identify actions they can take within their own businesses, helping build lasting capacity beyond the Sommet.

The training will consist of four in-person or online training sessions delivered across autumn 2027 (please note this format may still be subject to change): 

1. Learn – Participants gain foundational knowledge, hear from experts and community voices, and understand the business case for action. 
2. Action planning – Guided by an expert, participants join their cohort and explore leading practices, identify priority action(s), and develop an implementation plan. 
3. Check progress – Participants share progress, discuss challenges, and access additional supports to help advance their action plans. 
4. Celebrate results – Participants showcase achievements, share lessons learned, and contribute to peer learning across the membership.

This program is open to Ottawa Tourism members that meet the following criteria:

• members of Ottawa Tourism
• committed to building capacity through continuous improvement

Eligible businesses will be asked to dedicate a champion to participate in the program. The program is designed to be self-paced, allowing members the flexibility to work at their own speed, however, Ottawa Tourism will work alongside the cohort to offer opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and resources that can be leveraged to make considerable strides within a four-month period. The training will be mostly delivered in person and will only require a time commitment of 1 -2 hours per month. The program is offered in English only.

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