Tourism Policy and Development Branch
Investment and Development Office
Hearst Block, 9th Floor
900 Bay Street
Toronto ON M7A 2E1 / Celebrate Ontario 2012
Blockbuster Event Hosting
Application Form
INSTRUCTIONS
A. Before Completing Your Application Form
§ Consult the Blockbuster Application Guide.
§ Review the Celebrate Ontario 2012 Blockbuster frequently asked questions (FAQs) that the Ministry of Tourism and Culture has posted to its website at www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/awards_funding/celebrate_faq.shtml.
§ Direct any telephone or email enquiries to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s Senior Business Advisor, Robert Sweeting, at or (416) 325-7426.
B. Completing Your Application Form
§ Use the Application Form to submit your application.
§ Answer all questions on the Application Form within the space provided. Any omission could disqualify your application.
§ Applicants may only request funding for eligible projects and eligible expenses as outlined in the Blockbuster Application Guide. Blockbuster funds are not intended to support marketing costs, or the operating costs or regular programming costs of the applicant organization.
§ Applications that fail to meet any of the Eligibility Requirements; Mandatory Requirements; and Acknowledgement, Oversight and Reporting Requirements will not be considered.
C. Submitting your Application
§ Applications must be received at least four (4) months prior to the Blockbuster event start date.
1. Applicants submitting an electronic application via e-mail
§ Applicants must provide an electronic application, verified by an authorized official, and e-mailed to the Ministry of Tourism and Culture at .
2. Applicants submitting a paper copy by mail/courier or in person
§ Applicants submitting a paper copy must include an original copy, verified by an authorized official, plus one additional copy.
§ Paper copy applications may be submitted by mail/courier or in person to the following address:
Celebrate Ontario 2012 Blockbuster
c/o
Investment and Development Office
Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture
900 Bay Street, 9th Floor, Hearst Block
Toronto, Ontario M7A 2E1
D. Definitions
For the purposes of this Application Form, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture defines:
(1) Blockbuster as an event:
§ with a national or international reputation that attracts significant media exposure;
§ with sufficient national and international prominence to draw tourists to Ontario;
§ with an operating budget in excess of $1 million; and
§ that does not recur annually in Ontario, but travels nationally or internationally to host destinations, or is a one-time event.
(2) A tourist as an individual (including an Ontario resident) who travels 40 kilometres or more or crosses the Ontario border to attend a Blockbuster event.
(3) Hours of programming at a Blockbuster event as the number of concurrent hours of public programming that are open to the public at large.
E. Available Support
§ Applicants are eligible to apply for up to a maximum of 20% of eligible costs as outlined in the Blockbuster event operating budget.
§ The operating budget described must be for the Blockbuster event itself, and not the operating budget of the applicant organization.
§ The Ministry of Tourism and Culture cannot guarantee funding to all applicants, nor can the ministry ensure that the total amount requested by successful applicants will be granted. The decision to fund all or part of an applicant request will depend on its fit with the program objectives, total of confirmed eligible expenses, assessment criteria and the overall demand for funds in the program.
F. Submission Checklist
§ Before submitting your application:
Review the Blockbuster Application Guide.
Consult with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Complete the entire Application Form.
Provide a copy of your organization’s most recent audited annual financial statement.
G. Funding Agreement:
1. Successful applicants will be required to sign an Ontario Funding Agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
2. The Application Form, duly completed and verified by an authorized official of your organization, constitutes proof of your acknowledgment and acceptance of the Eligibility Requirements; Mandatory Requirements; and the Acknowledgement, Oversight and Reporting Requirements. Applications that fail to meet all the Eligibility Requirements; Mandatory Requirements; and Acknowledgement, Oversight and Reporting Requirements will not be considered.
3. All funds must be used for eligible expenses associated with hosting the Blockbuster event between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.
4. Successful applicants must provide proof of at least $2 million commercial general liability insurance coverage.
Section 1: Eligibility Requirements; Mandatory Requirements; and Acknowledgement, Oversight and Reporting RequirementsUsing the checkboxes below, indicate your acknowledgment and acceptance of the Eligibility Requirements; Mandatory Requirements; and Acknowledgement, Oversight and Reporting Requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
On behalf of and with the authority of the applicant, I/we certify that:
The Blockbuster event will take place in the Province of Ontario.
The Blockbuster event is open to the public at large without membership in a club or group.
The Blockbuster event will be held between April 1, 2012 and March 31, 2013.
Mandatory Requirements
On behalf of and with the authority of the applicant, I/we certify that:
Applicant is not in default of the terms and conditions of any grant or loan agreement with any ministry or agency of the Government of Ontario.
All of the proposed expenses will be incurred while carrying out the Blockbuster event and none of the proposed expenses will be used for the operating costs or regular programming costs of the applicant organization.
The applicant is one of the following:
Federally or provincially incorporated; OR
First Nations in the province of Ontario; OR
Established by or under legislation. If so, specify:
Acknowledgement, Oversight and Reporting Requirements
If successful in obtaining Blockbuster event funding, the applicant will:
Sign a legal agreement with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Report back to the ministry within 60 business days following the hosting of the Blockbuster event on the use of transfer funds, service deliverables and outcomes achieved using the Final Report form supplied by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
Permit the Province to verify/audit information submitted (at the discretion of the Province) to ensure that it is complete and accurate, and that funds were used for purpose(s) intended.
Agree that if the funds were not used, or will not be used, for the intended purpose(s), specified services were not delivered, or intended outcomes were not achieved, the Province has the right at a future date to recover the funds transferred.
Obtain the Ministry of Tourism and Culture’s approval for any change to the proposed project (once funding is approved).
Acknowledge Ontario’s support with the use of the Ontario trillium logo in electronic and print media as part of a visibility campaign.
Carry at least $2 million commercial general liability insurance coverage and include Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Tourism and Culture as an additional insured.
Section 2: Blockbuster Event Identification
Organization Information
Organization Name
Blockbuster Event Name
Unit No. / Street No. / Street Name / PO Box
City/Town / Province / Postal Code
Telephone No.
- / Fax No.
– / Email Address
Organization Website
Type of Legal Entity (select one)
established by or under legislationincorporatedband councilother Aboriginal organization / Corporate Registration Number (if applicable)
Contact Person Information
Contact Last Name / Contact First Name / Salutation
Position/Title
Unit No. / Street No. / Street Name / PO Box
City/Town / Province / Postal Code
Telephone No.
- / Fax No.
- / Email Address
In which official language do you prefer to communicate?
English French
Does your Blockbuster event have a Francophone program component?
Yes No
Section 3: Blockbuster Event Details
Has your organization received Celebrate Ontario funding in the past? Yes No
Is your organization a member of a tourism industry association? Yes No / If “Yes”, specify:
Venue and Municipality tourism festival/event will take place
Blockbuster Event Operating Budget
State amount: / Blockbuster Event Funding Request
State amount:
Event Type
Select OneArtsCulinary/Beer/WineCommunitySports/RecreationFilm/New MediaHorticulture/NatureMulticulturalCulturalWar of 1812Other / Start date (yyyy/mm/dd) / End date (yyyy/mm/dd)
Are the above event dates confirmed?
Yes No / Duration (days) / Hours of programming at Blockbuster event
Section 4: Blockbuster Event Description
Please provide a complete description of your Blockbuster event including:
§ A comprehensive Blockbuster event description, including programming, schedules, activities, hours of operation, site description, staging, planned events, ceremonies, galas, marquee performers/athletes/dignitaries.
§ A clear tourism-based rationale for the proposed Blockbuster event, including tourism industry intelligence, research, and professional industry-based analysis, and linkages to a local, regional and/or provincial tourism strategy.
§ Track record of proposed Blockbuster event in terms of its overall audience, market potential and ability to attract significant and increased tourist visitation, national and/or international attendance.
§ Blockbuster event business plan and opportunities for tourism-based partnerships and tourism packaging.
§ How the Blockbuster event will raise Ontario’s profile as an event and tourist destination through broadcast or other media exposure.
§ Media or branding opportunities for Ontario via television, radio and print advertising.
§ Legacy opportunities, including enhancement of existing infrastructure or new construction (e.g., sport venues or tourist facilities/attractions).
§ Volunteer and leadership development opportunities for the Province that would be available by successfully hosting the Blockbuster event
§ The extent to which investment in the Blockbuster event presents value for money for the Province.
§ Opportunities to leverage linkages to other Ontario business sectors, international investment and trade.
Section 5: Blockbuster Event Budget
Provide below a detailed budget of your proposed Blockbuster event. The budget must be for design and delivery of the event and not for operational costs for the organization applying. The budget should detail revenues by source and expenses by category, and should indicate levels of funding from private and public sector partners, including cash and in-kind contributions. The value of in-kind contributions must be balanced by equivalent expenses. Specify if cash or in-kind contributions are confirmed or pending.
Blockbuster Event Budget for the Year Ending:
Revenues (list): / Amounts (list):
Federal – / Confirmed Pending
Other Provincial – / Confirmed Pending
Municipal – / Confirmed Pending
Blockbuster Event Funding Request – / Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Confirmed Pending
Total Revenues: Æ
Expenses (list): / Amounts (list): / Blockbuster Event Funding Request
Total Expenses: Æ
Blockbuster Event Budget Notes:
Section 6: Blockbuster Event Impact
Describe below anticipated tourism activity from your Blockbuster event using market intelligence, comparables, independent or third party assessments (e.g., consulting firm studies, police crowd estimates, ticketing and turnstile counts, etc.) or your own experience with Blockbuster events.
Applicants that provide credible explanations for the basis of their estimates will score higher in their evaluations than applicants that do not provide such support for their estimates.
Applicants that demonstrate significant geographic reach and tourist attendance will score higher in their evaluations than applicants without significant geographic reach and tourist attendance.
BLOCKBUSTER EVENT ESTIMATES
1 / Projected Attendance — Local (within 40 km)
2 / Projected Attendance — Other Ontario
3 / Projected Attendance — Other Canada
4 / Projected Attendance — United States
5 / Projected Attendance — International
6 / PROJECTED TOTAL ATTENDANCE
7 / Projected Total Visitor Expenditures ($) at Festival/Event
8 / Projected Average Length of Stay (Days)
9 / Projected Number of Same-Day Visitors
10 / Projected Number of Overnight Visitors
Describe the basis of your estimates of the above (e.g., market intelligence, comparables, independent or third party assessments, aerial photos, police counts etc.). Provide an explanation of how the origin of tourists was determined. Include data sources (e.g., economic impact report, client survey, gate receipt, physical count, etc.). Please restrict your answer to the space provided below.
Section 7: Blockbuster Event Marketing Plan
Using the table below, consider the following for your marketing or promotion plan for the proposed Blockbuster event:
§ Target markets.
§ Estimated media buy costs.
§ Anticipated provincial, national, U.S. and international media reach.
§ In-kind or sponsored publicity.
(Refer to Section 5.5.4. — Marketing Plan — of the Application Guide for a glossary of marketing terms.)
Current Marketing Plan
Target Market / Marketing Tactics
(e.g., print, internet, radio, TV, etc.) / Costs / Placement Dates
(yyyy/mm/dd)
(e.g., calendar date(s) when ads and promotional activities occur) / Reach
(e.g., number of possible visitors that your advertisement campaign will connect with)
Market Segment
(e.g., age, values, lifestyle, education, occupation, income, etc.) / Geographic Focus
(e.g., visitor’s location, city, etc.) / Cash / In-Kind
(e.g., donations of time, services, resources, venues, etc.)
Section 8: Blockbuster Event Organizational Capacity
Number of employees: / Full time / Part time / Volunteer
Using the section below:
§ Describe your organization’s history of organizing and managing Blockbuster events, including past achievements and details on staffing and relevant staff experience for those running/managing the Blockbuster event.
§ Describe your organization’s monitoring and reporting mechanisms to governing bodies (e.g., a Board of Directors).
§ Describe your organization’s ability to produce the proposed Blockbuster event.
§ Evidence of your organization’s capacity to mobilize and train sufficient volunteers to host the Blockbuster event.
Section 9: Blockbuster Event Project Assessment and Performance Measures
Describe below how your organization will evaluate your Blockbuster event to determine if its objectives have been met. Also describe the organizational and community legacy expected to result from the proposed Blockbuster event.
Please restrict your answer to space provided below.
Section 10: Contact Information of Person in Applicant Organization Authorized to Sign Legal Agreement
Blockbuster event grant recipients should be aware that the Province is bound by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.F. 31, as amended from time to time, and that any information provided to the Province in connection with their Blockbuster event application may be subject to disclosure in accordance with the requirements of that Act.
Please note: If applicant is successful, the Signing Officer must be available to sign the Ontario Funding Agreement.
Authorized Signing Officer Information
Contact Last Name / Contact First Name / Salutation
Position/Title
Unit No. / Street No. / Street Name / PO Box
City/Town / Province / Postal Code
I hereby certify that the information provided in this application is true, correct and complete. / Date (yyyy/mm/dd)