Video/Image Development 2025/26 Application

RTO7’s offer of the Partnership Program for 2025/26 is contingent upon the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming's approval of RTO7’s 2025/26 Business Plan.


If you are unfamiliar with the Partnership Program and applications, I highly recommend calling (Alex 705-441-2931 (ahogan@rto7.ca) to first talk through your proposed project and/or completing the application, as the process is greatly simplified with some direct explanation prior to completion of the application. RTO7 reserves the right to limit the number of programs/funds that one stakeholder may receive per year.


Please download the Partnership Program Guidelines  for important background information before completing this application - once opened in Downloads, the links within the Guidelines should open in a new window in your browser when clicked on.


We highly recommend that you log into a Google account (directions in link) to access this form and know that your progress is automatically saved as a draft for 30 days so you can return to it. Please see our blog on why you should create a Google Account for your Business.

If you choose not to do this or to work offline, you will need to complete and submit the form all in one sitting and be sure to save a copy of your submitted application. If you choose not to log into a Google account, contact us to discuss how best to submit your application.


Note: We want to encourage stakeholders starting on a journey towards economic, social and environmental sustainability. Sustainability isn’t a requirement to get funding for 2025/26. However, projects that show they’re working to include or improve sustainable practices—using clear and measurable plans—may be prioritized in the application review process. The Partnership Program application process is competitive, and many people apply for the available funds. We welcome applications from all eligible businesses and organizations. No matter where you are in your sustainability efforts, we’re here to guide you through the process.


Video/Image Development Collaboration Details


● This application may be used for video and/or imagery (photography) production; if using it for both, please distinguish between the video and the imagery (photography) projects

● Note that this program uses RTO7's Videography & Photography suppliers as outlined in the respective sections below

● $1 partner contribution receives $1 Partnership funds  

● Partners may be a single tourism entity or a tourism group/DMO/tourism organization/municipality

● The images and videos collected through the Partnership Program will be co-owned by the partner and RTO7. RTO7 reserves the right to use these assets for marketing purposes, including but not limited to the website, advertising campaigns, and YouTube, without needing further permission from the partner. This provides partners with valuable free exposure as their assets are showcased in BruceGreySimcoe's extensive advertising efforts. Additionally, these assets may be shared with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture & Gaming and Destination Ontario for similar promotional purposes, significantly broadening the reach and visibility of the partner’s offerings. If RTO7 intends to use the content for purposes beyond these platforms, the partner will be informed.

● Booking shoot dates for approved projects is first come/first served.  For videos especially, there will be limited availability for shoots during June - August, so if you're interested in this timeframe, get your application in as soon as possible to increase chances of booking your desired shoot date(s).  Brian and/or Andrea will give you available dates to choose from within your proposed window. You will then have 7 days to confirm your chosen date with all parties (i.e. to confirm models, shoot locations, etc.); after 7 days the date will again become available to others booking shoot dates. 

● Shoot dates are all full days - we cannot accommodate half day shoots,  so it will be important to plan accordingly to make the most of your available time

● Rescheduling of a shoot due to clearly inclement weather the morning of a shoot will be accommodated when agreed to by both parties; rescheduling as a result of models cancelling or fall colours not being at their absolute peak, etc. will be subject to a $300 fee, payable prior to release of imagery

● If planning a winter shoot (which we encourage), in light of recent winters, you may wish to consider a backup plan in the event that weather does not cooperate - are there non-weather dependent winter activities you might profile instead or in addition to those dependent on cold/wintery weather

● Once the project is approved, all communications regarding the project MUST be conducted in Basecamp (provided by RTO7)

● To ensure timely and constructive execution of the planning and actioning of the project, the person named below as the Individual Responsible for Day-to-Day Execution named below will act as the decision maker and liaison with Alex and Brian and/or Andrea

● Be sure to review the Best Practices documents linked in the Requirements below.  Ensuring  a successful end product depends as much on your planning/management efforts as on the videographer/photographer - for the best outcome, anticipate sufficient time for this role and please ensure

  • all shoot locations/activities are expecting the imagery team - your shoot should tell a cohesive story e.g. following someone through town vs. relying on the team to spontaneously shoot empty storefronts or trails (pre-planning  with the team here is invaluable)

  • dedicated models are lined up (and confirmed just prior to shoot day) - please don't rely on whoever happens to be in the area that day - arrange all models in advance, know what emotions you are trying to capture and do some research (review online profiles) to try to match the model's demographic to the audience you are trying to attract 

● Partner is responsible for finding models and for collecting signed model and operator releases prior to the shoot using the release provided by H Visual Media/Andrea Hamlin Photography

● Click here for some suggestions if you are challenged finding models (occasionally finding models becomes very challenging - if this is the case, please reach out to us as we have developed a database of interested individuals and may be able to help)

● As appropriate, RTO7 encourages the use of a diversity of models, including those that self-identify as Indigenous, Visible Minorities, Persons with Disabilities, Women, 2SLGBTQ+

● RTO7 encourages depiction of assets that will result in revenue generation for tourism operators (i.e. we are more likely to approve/promote activities that are associated with businesses that stand to benefit e.g. a tour guide, an outfitter, etc. than simply beautiful vistas or free hiking trails) and in increased respect for the local environment and communities 

● It is possible to be funded for both a video/image development and social media advertising project (using the video/images developed) in one Partnership year; however, this requires SIGNIFICANT lead time to ensure the collateral is edited and ready in time for the campaign

● IF the Partner intends in the future to conduct paid social media advertising through RTO7 with a video developed, the video developed must be 60 seconds or less, with 15 seconds preferred as best performing in most contexts in our experience (Social Media Advertising is another Partnership category and requires a Social Media Advertising application)


If this is feeling like a lot of information, please just give me a call and I can help distill it for you...705-441-2931. While it sounds like a lot, we hope you are aware of the significant time and effort you will be saving by working through our suppliers to produce a professional outcome rather than managing these processes entirely on your own. 


Video:

● Video development to be managed by RTO7 and/or the RTO7 Agency of Record and executed by the RTO7 Agency of Record (Brian Hunt - H Visual Media)

  • Video packages include 3 price packages 

  • Partner contribution of $1,350 including HST (leverages to $2,700)

  • Partner contribution of $2,350 (leverages to $4,700)

  • Partner contribution of $3,300 (leverages to $6,600)

● Video styles include four styles

● Video will be posted to the BGS website (video galleries as are appropriate to the video and to BGS YouTube channel)

● Partner is responsible to post video(s) to partner’s website and YouTube channel

● Video(s) will be delivered in square (e.g. for use in Facebook/Instagram social media advertising), landscape (e.g. for use on website, TV) formats, and vertical formats 

● All video provided will be licensed to the relevant partner and Regional Tourism Organization 7 for a period of 3 years (thereafter, in order to minimize partner costs, H Visual Media will have access to the raw footage)

● Videos developed must highlight dynamic, appealing BruceGreySimcoe experiences/offerings and video must include a call to action

● In addition to promotional videos depicting your tourism assets, this program may be used to develop staff recruitment videos (mid-level package)

● Previous Partnership videos (amongst others) may be viewed on BruceGreySimcoe’s YouTube page


Imagery:

● Image development to be managed by RTO7 and/or the RTO7 Agency of Record and executed by the RTO7 Agency of Record (Andrea Hamlin Photography)

● High resolution images will be uploaded or provided on a stick to the partner (partner pays stick and shipping cost); provision of low resolution images may be arranged depending on usage)

● In consultation with Andrea, partner will provide direction as to the desired orientation of images (e.g. horizontal, vertical, banners, etc.)

● The photography shoot is one 8-hour day (no half days)

  • i.e. one 8-hour day is a $1,075 partner contribution including HST (leverages to $2,150/day)

  • $1 partner funds are matched by $1 partnership funds

  • Partner minimum contribution is $1,075, to a maximum partner contribution of $5,000

  • when required and appropriate (e.g. a shoot with significant travel time is consecutive days in a row and the shoot day runs late), the Partner is requested to provide paid accommodation for photographer if possible

The red asterisks below indicate required fields.

Senior Organization Rep

Note this is the individual with signing authority for the project and ultimate responsibility for the execution and completion of the project if approved. It is this individual that we would send the Agreement to for signature in DocuSign (with a copy to the day to day contact below).

Project Rep

Note this person will be the day-to-day decision maker for the project,  responsible for execution of the project and regular communications with RTO7 and agencies, and should have skills and experience in managing projects of a similar nature as well as available time to devote to the project


Are there any special circumstances or deadlines we need to be aware of? Note that all projects must be completed prior to March 31, 2026

In a perfect world, you will be shooting a year out (for seasonality) i.e. shooting collateral this summer that won't be used until next summer.


Let us know the timeframe you require the completed collateral. If you are planning to use the collateral in an advertising campaign, let us know the dates of the campaign and we will put in significant effort to deliver the collateral in this time frame (that said we need you to do the same; we can't deliver a draft and then not hear from you for a week or two). 


Video Montage sample

Commercial Style Voice Over

Interview Style

Story Style


BUDGET

Please complete the sections below, depending on whether you are looking for only video, only image, or both video and image.

Click here for details on the 3 Video Package options


Partner Contribution:


Package 1. Basic $1,350 partner contribution (including tax)

Package 2. Intermediate (most common) $2,350 partner contribution (includes recruitment videos) (including tax)

Package 3. Deluxe $3,300 partner contribution (including tax)


Choose one of these packages below. If you require a custom package, check that off (you will need to speak to Alex about this prior to completing the application).


Note that you will need to send RTO7 the amount above in the form of EFT, e-transfer or cheque


Partner Contribution


# of days required x $1,075 per 8 hour day - this represents 1/2 of the total project cost (including tax).  You will need to send RTO7 this amount in the form of an EFT, e-transfer or cheque


This is the sum of the above video and image partner contributions (including tax)



This is the total cost of all video/image projects you are applying for including tax (with 1/2 paid by you; 1/2 paid by RTO7)  (this should equal 2x the total partner contribution above)

Note that our priority with these videos/images is revenue generation and increasing tourists' respect for the local environment and communities (so videos featuring tourism operators that will benefit from visitation will be given preference over those promoting, for example, vistas or trails without a link to guided tours or outfitters or accompanying activities).

Click here for RTO7's Target Markets & Activities

Please indicate how your organization will evaluate the success of the video/photo shoot and resulting collateral (e.g. process was smooth, collateral was delivered on time, images met our objectives, etc.)

The following links outline some of the requirements you are agreeing to below:


Claim/update Your BruceGreySimcoe Website Listing

Sign up for RTO7 E-blasts

Destination Ontario's Intake Form

Claim/update Your Google My Business Listing

Sign up for/complete your free Typsy Training


Contact Allison Davies at 705-888-8728 or adavies@rto7.ca for assistance if required in setting up a listing on the BGS website 

(only video applicants complete)


H Visual Media's Best Practices for Successful Projects

(only photo applicants complete)


Andrea Hamlin's Successful Photo Shoots

Key Activities, Milestones & Responsibilities

The following is an approximate sequence of events for the shoot you will be undertaking if approved:


  1. Project evaluation and approval – RTO7

  2. Project Agreement – RTO7 & Partner; logos on Partner website; Typsy training completed by partner

  3. Submit 50% share of project cost to RTO7  - Partner  

  4. Planning call with Brian's team and/or Andrea to confirm project objectives, shoot dates, desired deliverables, required delivery dates, models, etc. – Partner & Brian/Andrea (for joint video/image projects, planning calls and all subsequent Basecamp communications will include both Brian & Andrea)

  5. Partner prep for shoot (alerting stakeholders, lining up models, getting releases signed, etc. etc.) - Partner

  6. Project shoot(s)

  7. Delivery of collateral as agreed to following editing - Brian/Andrea

  8. Final reporting to RTO7 - Partner

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM

How many times in the past 5 years has your organization received funding support from RTO7's Partnership or Implementation Programs?

Details can be found on the RTO7 Take the Pledge page


Demonstrating your pledge commitment may help strengthen your eligibility for participation in the 2026/27 programs


Details can be found on the RTO7 Employee Turnover Rate page


Collecting and reporting on your Employee Turnover Rate may help strengthen your eligibility for participation in the 2026/27 programs


Please complete the Region 7 Tourism Stakeholder Business Performance & Sustainability Survey


Completion of the above survey may help strengthen your eligibility for participation in the 2026/27 programs


RTO7 has created a toolkit to provide tourism stakeholders with resources and tools to share consistent “Visit Responsibly” messaging across the region. Our goal is to simplify the process of implementation for stakeholders, ultimately leading to a strong, consistent, and unified message in the region to the consumer.


Demonstrating your “Visit Responsibly” messaging may help strengthen your eligibility for participation in the 2026/27 programs


Please outline the ways in which the PROJECT you have proposed meets sustainability criteria - economic, social and/or environmental

Are you applying on behalf of your tourism members or tourism businesses within your catchment? (e.g. a DMO or BIA or municipality)

How many NEW partners are you collaborating with on this project? (i.e. your organization has not partnered with them in past)

What is the anticipated revenue generation potential of this project, and how does it create value for the local economy (e.g. through direct sales, partnerships with local businesses, or attracting high-yield visitors?)

Given your goals, what is the long-term growth potential of this project? Growth is an important part of sustainability, and can come from enhancing the value of your offerings, increasing visitor spend or optimizing operational efficiencies. See the Resource Guide for more suggestions regarding how to achieve long term growth.


Please let us know what areas of growth you're looking at in the next year:

High Medium Low No Growth Potential
Increasing revenues (from point-of-sale or ticketing systems tracking ticket sales, bookings, merchandise, services, etc.)
Increasing spend/visitor
Sustaining/growing the number of jobs
Increasing visitor numbers (in areas with capacity)
Increasing repeat visitation
Improving sentiment and consistency in online reviews/ratings and customer surveys
Balancing seasonality to achieve more consistent growth across seasons vs. limited to peak season
Increasing (positive) engagement on social media platforms (followers, likes, shares, etc.)
Increasing website traffic and online inquiries/bookings
Increase in volume and quality of media coverage (e.g. influencers, travel blogs, news outlets, etc.)
Monitoring recognition from industry organizations for best practices, etc.
Decreasing the impact of tourism on local ecosystems (resources, energy, waste, etc.)
Improving community engagement and benefits to the local community (including partnerships, cultural preservation or jobs)
Increasing visitor awareness of their role and responsibility in sustainability
Introduction (and performance) of new tourism products/experiences
Increasing collaborative offerings with local businesses

Is this project a new experience/offering or are there any new or revitalized elements to it, intended to attract new audiences or provide an enriched experience or otherwise enhanced to ensure continued vibrancy?

Check any of the boxes below that align with your ORGANIZATION'S strategic or aspirational goals (i.e. if you are pursuing or are interested in pursuing longer-term objectives such as those below, we want to recognize your efforts/intent)

Tech Compass is a limited-time offer of expert guidance to navigate and deploy tourism technology

The following links outline some of the requirements you are agreeing to below:


Eligible Sources of Funds

Partnership Program Guidelines


Please type your name below to confirm your acknowledgment and acceptance of the information provided