[Below is only for reference/comparison, needs update for 2024 – AD]
PRE-CONFERENCE MEDIA TOURS
June 11 – 14, 2023
CONFIRMED PRE-CONFERENCE MEDIA TOURS by Delegates
VIEW HERE
June 11: Arrival/Check in to Holiday Inn Sudbury (accommodations provided).
Pre-Tour delegates, please make arrangements to arrive in Sudbury, Ontario on Sunday June 11th, checking in at Holiday Inn Sudbury. Reservations for your overnight stay is being provided by Sudbury Tourism (Note Dinner is on own).
JUNE 12: Welcome Breakfast & Pre-Tours Begin
JUNE 14: Return to holiday Inn Sudbury for Conference
Please review the details and descriptions of each tour carefully, noting:
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Shuttle Service will be provided for pick ups from the Sudbury Airport on June 11th from the Greater Sudbury Airport to take you to Holiday Inn Sudbury.
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A Welcome Breakfast for all media participating on the Pre-Conference Press Trips will take place on Monday June 12 at 8am.
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Each pre-conference press trip will depart from Sudbury, form the lobby of the Holiday Inn Sudbury, at approximately 9 am (TBC) the morning of Monday June 12th.
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Each pre-conference press trip will conclude in Sudbury the afternoon of Wednesday June 14th with drop off of media delegates at the Holiday Inn Sudbury, Ontario.
- Pre-Conference Media Tour Participants are responsible for their own overnight accommodations on June 14-18, see Host Hotel Accommodations.
- All accommodations on Pre-Tours are single occupancy rooms, unless otherwise arranged.
- Transportation will be provided with local experts serving as your host/driver for the duration of the trip.
*IMPORTANT*
Please select your 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices for your tours, we will make every effort to accommodate your request, noting that spaces are limited as indicated for each of the nine (9) tours. The Pre-Conference Media FAM Tour registration form is available HERE.
** YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED OF YOUR TOUR ASSIGNMENT IN MAY FOLLOWING CONFERENCE REGISTRATION CLOSING**
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Pre-Tour #1: Manitoulin Island: Indigenous Culture, Hiking & Island Experience
Indigenous life and legend meld with European history on Manitoulin Island, the world’s largest freshwater island. Immerse yourself in
Indigenous culture while visiting many iconic Manitoulin attractions including: Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, Cup & Saucer Hiking Trail
(10km), Bridal Veil Falls, and more.
Start date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre (2 nights)
Minimum Capacity: 6
Maximum Capacity: 12
Fitness Level: Moderate
Pre-Tour #2: The Unceded Experience: Indigenous Culture, Culinary & Hiking
The Unceded Journey is a transformational tour where you will experience the true history of Manitoulin Island and learn how Wiikwemkoong came to be Canada’s only officially recognized Unceded Territory. During your time on the Island, embark on a hike along the the Bebamikawe Memorial Trail as you forage for edibles and natural ingredients found on the forest floor combined with wild game, fish and hot/cold teas. Our guides will share teachings of the medicinal and practical uses for plants, and sample teas from foraged ingredients as you learn about why Manitoulin Island is one of the most plant diverse ecosystems in North America. Learn about the origin of the drum the heartbeat of mother earth through an exhilarating drum performance, and much more.
Start date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Manitoulin Hotel & Conference Centre
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 8
Fitness Level: Moderate
Sponsored by: Northeastern Ontario Tourism
Pre-Tour #3: The Lake Temiskaming Tour Experience: Culture, Culinary & Scenery
The Lake Temiskaming Tour is a unique cross border tourism initiative between Quebec and Ontario. With a focus on promoting sites,
attractions, local foods and events all around Lake Temiskaming this tourism circuit is a trip without boundaries showcasing the regions’
Francophone, Anglophone and Algonquin cultures. Enjoy our local Bison Farm where we bring farm fresh to a table under the lights. A unique experience awaits you on the Lakes Temiskaming Tour!
Start date: Sunday June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express, New Liskeard & Holiday Inn Express, North Bay
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 8
Fitness Level: Moderate
Sponsored by: City of Temiskaming Shores
Pre-Tour #4: Experience North Bay: Urban & Outdoor
Built along the shores of Lake Nipissing, the City of North Bay offers plenty of outdoor activities all year round. Enjoy the specialty food, shops and markets downtown then head over to Gateway City Brewery for some pinball, live music and craft beer. End the day with a dinner cruise on the Chief Commanda II overlooking the breathtaking sunset on Lake Nipissing. In addition to experiencing other hidden gems, your North Bay visit will include a guided mountain biking tours, a trail ride & ranch experience, an outdoor trail hike, and more.
Start date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday, June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express (2 nights)
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 8
Fitness Level: Moderate. ** Participants MUST bring running shoes and active clothing**
Sponsored by: Tourism North Bay
Pre-Tour #5: Ontario Parks – Killarney Provincial Park
Experience Yurt Camping, Hiking, Dark Sky Preserve, Group of Seven
Killarney Provincial Park is considered the crown jewel of the Ontario park system and is one of the most popular hiking and paddling destinations in Ontario. This iconic 645 square kilometre wilderness landscape will showcase the wild Georgian Bay Coast of pink granite; the La Cloche Mountains’ white quartzite ridges and over 50 exceptionally clear sapphire lakes. The area has long captivated artists including The Group of Seven’s A.Y. Jackson, Franklin Carmichael, and A.J. Casson. In 2018, Killarney became the first provincial park in Ontario to achieve dark sky preserve status. Discovery programs at Killarney include stargazing at one of the two research grade observatories in
the park, guided hikes, special events and artist / astronomer in residence programs. This experience will showcase the natural scenic beauty of the region, provide a glimpse of the cultural history of the area and offer hands on star-gazing opportunities in a dark sky preserve.
Start date: Sunday June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Killarney Provincial Park – Yurt/Cabin (2 nights)
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 8 (space may be limited for single occupancy)
Fitness Level: Moderate to High
Sponsor: Ontario Parks
Pre-Tour #6: Ontario Parks: Windy Lake Provincial Park
Experience Yurt Camping, Hiking & Paddling
Only 40 minutes from Sudbury, and 30 minutes from Halfway Lake Provincial Park, Windy Lake Provincial Park is ideally located to an abundance of outdoor activities any season of the year. Expect interesting birdlife at Windy Lake, spotted along the shorelines, within the park and on the Transition Hiking Trail. Plenty of other wildlife call the park home as well, ranging from chipmunks to moose. In favourable conditions Windy Lake offers great swimming, canoeing and fishing opportunities. Ideal for outdoor and nature lovers, a trip here combined with a visit to Halfway Lake Provincial Park, which offers a range of lengthy hiking trails, canoe rentals and Natural Heritage Education programs, provides an immersive experience into the great Canadian wilderness. While close together, Windy Lake encompasses typical Northern Deciduous Evergreen forests, while just a bit further north, Halfway Lake is comprised mostly of Southern Boreal Forest.
Start date: Monday, June 12th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Windy Lake Provincial Park Yurt / Cabin
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 12 (space may be limited for single occupancy)
Fitness Level: Moderate to High
Sponsored by: Ontario Parks
Pre-Tour #7: Welcome to Sudbury!
Experience World-class Attractions, Outdoor Adventures & Culinary delights
Sudbury continues to surprise and impress. Explore Science North Canada’s second largest science centre , descend seven storeys underground to walk in the footsteps of Sudbury’s miners at Dynamic Earth , discover an abundance of epic street art, learn about the meteorite impact and shattercones at Onaping Falls.
Explore the outdoors in Sudbury, the parks, conservation areas, and green spaces in Sudbury are a haven for outdoor enthusiasts in all 4 seasons you will enjoy the best of urban and outdoor adventures at your doorstep with a visit to Kivi Park and the Lake Laurentian Conservation Area.
Here in Sudbury we never need an excuse to indulge in a delicious meal. We will visit award winning restaurants, unique menus, lively pubs, quaint cafes, topped off with a visit to our craft breweries and distillery.
Start date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Sudbury
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 12
Fitness Level: Moderate to High
Sponsored by: Sudbury Tourism
Pre-Tour #8: Experience Killarney Mountain Lodge!
Resort Experience with Hiking & Paddling
Where rustic simplicity meets quiet luxury.
Nestled in the heart of the Ontario wilderness, Killarney Mountain Lodge full service resort offers a unique experience for those who desire exploration and retreat; complete with resort programming through high end amenities including pool, sauna and traditional chalet game pavilion, guided hikes and waterfront activities.
Start date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: Killarney Mountain Lodge (2 nights)
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 12
Fitness Level: Moderate
Sponsored by: Killarney Mountain Lodge
Pre-Tour #9: Northern Golf & Brewery Tour
**NOTE: Bring your own golf clubs, rentals are not available **
The northeast has so many incredible courses that we aren’t able to include them all, but we are excited to be able to showcase a few of our favourite courses across the region.
Timberwolf Golf Club is one of the most recognized golf courses in the North for good reason, as it was designed by Thomas McBroom, a world-renowned golf course architect.
Just 10 minutes south of North Bay in Callander sits the gorgeous Osprey Links Golf Course. The front nine features lots of water and a more wide-open layout, while the back nine is carved out of a thick forest with tree-lined fairways, so both present very different challenges.
The Rainbow Ridge Golf & Country Club is the centrally located on Manitoulin Island. Lots of water and hazards come into play on this course, but immaculate fairways make it worth the risk. We have also added a few brewery stops along the tour to help keep you hydrated.
Start date: Sunday, June 11th, 2023
End date: Wednesday June 14th, 2023
Accommodation: various
Minimum Capacity: 4
Maximum Capacity: 12
Fitness Level: Moderate
**NOTE: Bring your own golf clubs, rentals are not available **