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War of 1812-14 Commemoration
Looking to find out more about the upcoming War of 1812-14 Commemorative Events and Programs in Burlington? Interested in hearing about how your organization/business can get more involved? We can help... Ask us to attend your organizations upcoming meeting and provide an overview presentation of what your organization can do to get involved! Contact Us.
In anticipation and preparation of the upcoming commemoration of the Bi-Centennial of the War of 1812-14, Burlington Ontario, due to the strategic position she held on Lake Ontario, the events that took place in her jurisdiction and the contributions by the locals who heeded the call of duty, is joining in the commemoration of this 200th anniversary and 200 years of peace. Discover the past...Explore the past...Learn from the stories of our past.
The stories, the lore, the legends….Burlington’s role in the War of 1812-14.
Beginning in June 2012, through into the end of 2014, residents of Burlington and communities all along the Great Lakes will kick-off commemorative events, themed festivals and projects to mark the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. This war played a significant role in the shaping of Canada, the United States of America, and Six Nations, and their peoples. The end of the war marked the beginning of 200 years of peace between our nations.
There is history to be explored, stories to be told. Although Burlington and the surrounding area were not sites of many significant battles, the geography and the people were significant. The Burlington area (although not named this at the time) was, and is still known as a safe place, a place of trade, a cross roads, a landmark, and a resting point - A destination to for food, shelter, and shared resources.
Heritage sites, academic, cultural, tourism and community groups from across this geographic territory have been working collaboratively to prepare for this event. We invite you and your organization/business to join in the preparations, and to get involved.
How can you and your business, event, or not-for-profit organization get involved?? Link here.
War 1812-14 Western Corridor ToolKit/Handbook to help you get involved:
HAVE YOU STARTED PLANNING YET? The years 2012-2014 mark the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, a war that played a major role in the establishment of Canada as a nation within the North American continent, and that was partly waged in southwestern Ontario. The legacy of the War of 1812 is recognized at a number of historical sites throughout the region and commemorated through special events. The Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport identified the Bicentennial Commemoration as a major tourism event for Ontario. Its June 2009 report titled War of 1812 Bicentennial Analysis: Initial Assessment of Marketing Opportunity highlighted the opportunity. Approximately nine-million Americans and two-and-a-half-million Canadians indicated that they would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ consider attending Bicentennial events. Another 26 million people said that they ‘may consider attending’. This Bicentennial tourism market is expected to have a significant impact in the western corridor of Ontario.
The Western Corridor 1812-1814 Bicentennial Alliance (WCA) links communities, including the First Nations, from the western tip of Lake Ontario in Burlington running south-west, along the north side of the Lake Erie coastline, ending at Middlesex County. The region is split by the Grand River as it travels south to Lake Erie. There are many stories to tell about the war and how the rural folks helped to defend this land.
This handbook is a tool for our tourism industry to use. It lists practical suggestions for how restaurants, shops, attractions, accommodation providers and others can welcome visitors during the Bicentennial timeframe. The ideas contained in this manual are by no means an exhaustive list, but are intended to spark additional suggestions as well. It’s not too late! Start now to plan how you can benefit from War of 1812 Bicentennial comemorations. www.westerncorridor1812.com
LOCAL BURLINGTON/HALTON EFFORTS:
To commemorate the 200 years since the War of 1812-14, a Burlington/Halton Commemoration Committee has been formed to create awareness, educate and build on the new and existing events that will help to commemorate these 200 years of history.
If you are interested in becoming involved in this committee, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Next Meeting Date: Next Meeting: Wed June 13th, 2012.
War of 1812 Business Opportunities Workshop & Meeting - Wed. June 13, 2012
Open to all event planners, not-for-profit organizations and businesses who are interested in learning how to leverage this initiative! Tourism Burlington and Museums of Burlington, in partnership with Hamilton Halton Brant Regional Tourism Association (RTO #3) and War of 1812 Pathways to Peace present War of 1812-14 Business Opportunities Workshop on June 13th, 2012 at Joseph Brant Museum. Be part of the War of 1812 legacy. The 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 provides a unique opportunity to promote one of the seminal moments in the history of Ontario and Canada. The War of 1812 touched on regions from London to Burlington and Hamilton, with Brantford, Six Nations and Port Dover areas all seeing action at various times. With the Three-Year Bicentennial Commemorations beginning in June 2012, interest is consistently growing. This is your opportunity to learn about the upcoming War of 1812 Bicentennial and to identify and maximize potential business, event & not-for-profit organization opportunities. Learn about marketing initiatives and opportunities, tourism experience development tools. Participants will be provided with a take-away toolkit to maximize participation in the Bicentennial Commemorations. Please confirm your attendance by contacting Simone at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 905-634-5594 x 7240.
CALL to Action - Power Point Presentation
Projects:
1. Local Events/Exhibits/Programs with a theme or a thread of this Commemoration - What is your Organization/Business doing?
Create a new event, or build on the theme and expand an existing event....There are so many ways to get involved. We want to know what you are doing to commemorate the 200 years of history.
Some examples in the planning stages to date are:
- Peace Garden development
- Story Telling Festivals
- Theatre Performances
- Trail Route identification/development
- Art Exhibits
- Re-enactment Events
- Artifact Exhibits
- Restaurant Menu Themes
- Re-Named Hikes/Walks and Runs
- Name an Ice Cream, a Tea, or a drink
....and much much more. Burlington's Commemorative Committee can assist you in developing new ideas, aligning groups to work together, and in the promotion of your events/programs/exhibits.
We want to know what you are planning to do for the Bi-Centennial Commemoration!
REGIONAL Alliance EFFORTS:
Western Corridor War of 1812-14 Bicentennial Alliance
Government and agencies in Ontario, Canada and the United States are planning to mark the bicentennial of the War of 1812, which will take place over a three-year period. For the Ontario government, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture is taking the lead on the project, facilitating the development of a provincial strategy. The province has designated seven regions for planning purposes: GTA; Niagara; Thousand Islands; Windsor-Essex, Georgian Triangle, Southwest Ontario and “Western Corridor”. The “Western Corridor” encompasses partners from two Regional Tourism Organizations (RTO), RTO 3 and RTO 1.
Both Parks Canada and the province of Ontario are encouraging municipalities to create cross-sectoral committees to plan commemoration activities, ensuring broad representation and potential for establishing legacy projects. The agencies are stressing that the thinking behind the commemoration strategies should go beyond the traditional historic sites and monuments and embrace arts organizations, business, sport etc. The Canadian federal government, through Parks Canada, is developing a national strategy for commemoration and celebration.
The “Western Corridor War of 1812-14 Bicentennial Alliance” will link to all regions in the commemoration of 200 years of peace, history and people. There are significant marketing, economic and visitor engagement benefits to working together as a Region.
The province has developed 7 regions that are initiating activities to commemorate the War of 1812-14. Region 7 is referred to as the Western corridor and consists of Hamilton; Halton Region; City of Burlington; County of Brant; City of Brantford; Six Nations of the Grand River Territory; Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nations; Oxford County; Middlesex County; City of London; Elgin County; Haldimand County; and Norfolk County. RTO #3 has been identified as the lead organization for the Western Corridor from a funding standpoint and has developed the following priorities:
Priority #1: Implementing the hiring of a full-time/contract Western Corridor War of 1812 Bicentennial Alliance Regional Manager
This staff position will work with the Western Corridor Alliance Executive Committee and Regional Steering Committee to coordinate the priority projects and activities of the Alliance. The duties for this position will include administration, project management, planning, board management, communication, product development, and marketing. Completed.
An overall War of 1812 Bi-centennial program strategic action plan will be established and managed by the Regional Manager with input from the Executive Committee and Steering Committee for this initiative.
Ensure linkages with the other War of 1812 Regions, War of 1812 Provincial Secretariat and Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
The Regional Manager will work with the Alliance to complete the following priorities over the course of 2010/11 as follows:
Priority #2: Create a central resource of materials to avoid duplication and leverage resources for Alliance partners.
Priority #3: Implement a communications strategy for the bicentennial commemoration to increase the profile of the Region. This will include the development of a database of attractions, sites, landmarks, special events, projects and programs that relate to the 1812 initiative in this area.
Priority # 4: Develop opportunities for product development including the creation of a series of 1812 trails (Brock's Walk) and packaging initiatives for the group and FIT market.
Priority # 5: Deploy the 2010/11marketing plan that will include:
a) Development of a brand and support messaging for Region 7
b) Support the Local History Multi-Media Association (LHMA)- Rural Raids and Divided Loyalties in the War of 1812 multi-media project and leverage the website component of this project to create a Western Corridor 1812 portal.
c) Promote the 1812 initiative to travel writers/journalists interested in this topic and to a variety of qualified media outlets in the primary target area.
d) The development of a War of 1812 promotional map (ex. Brock’s Walk, McArthur’s Raids) and calendar of events that can be enabled on-line as well as used as a fulfillment tool.
Other projects will be identified for consideration in the development of this bicentennial commemoration program. For further information contact:
Adrienne Horne, Regional Project Manager, Western Corridor Bi-Centennial Alliance. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
