Month Ahead, Kudos, Getting to Know You, and more
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RESULTS OF THE AUG 2022 EMPLOYEE PULSE SURVEY
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Sharing the results from the August 2022 Employee Pulse Survey, developed by the Steering Committee and the Leadership Team to help evaluate internal communiations and to support deeper employee engagement.
An increase in eligible employees has been taken into consideration when comparing the results, further surveys will support deeper analysis and trends. The August survey had 67 respondents of 69 eligible employees, vs. 48 respondents of 52 eligible employees in May, 97% vs. 92% respectively.
You can find the full August results here, the May results here, and a high-level overview of the results below:
- 82% agree or strongly agree, they are happy to be working at Destination Toronto, up from 72% in May 2022.
- 77% agree or strongly agree, All Hands are effective at connecting employees to the work of Destination Toronto, up from 65% in May 2022;
- 82% agree or strongly agree, the Intranet is an effective resource that enables employees to understand and access key DT policies and tools, up from 77% in May 2022;
- 79% agree or strongly agree, the Pulse Newsletter is effective in helping employees know what others are up to at Destination Toronto, up from 71% in May 2022;
- 71% agree or strongly agree, Google Spaces is effective at helping employees stay connected to the team at Destination Toronto, on par with the results from May 2022;
- 73% agree or strongly agree, they feel part of a team as it relates to their role at delivering on Destination Toronto’s Northstar, up from 71% in May;
- 80% agree or strongly agree, that they understand how their role aligns to Destination Toronto’s annual business plan, down from 88% in May 2022; and,
- 82% agree or strongly agree, that Destination Toronto considers their health and safety as an employee, up from 71% in May 2022.
The quarterly survey is open to any employee who has been with Destination Toronto for over 90 days. The next survey will be sent out in November 2022.
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DID YOU CATCH THE MOST RECENT TERMINAL ARTICLES?
Sharing a round-up of articles in the Research & Insights Terminal that you may have missed:
Top 10 insights for creating impactful video content
Sustainability and rethinking tourism for 2022 World Tourism Day
Summer travel demand surges as locals support the return of visitors
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Destination Toronto's EDI statement is now up in the Intranet.
The page will continue to evolve, with key resources and progress made by the Leadership Team to the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Framework. If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to Paula Port.
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CONGRATULATIONS
Congratulations to Maxine Morrell-West, CSTP who, having completed her Certified Student Travel Professional accreditation through the Student & Youth Travel Association back in 2020, was recently awarded her 2020 graduation certificate at the first in-person SYTA marketplace since COVID-19. The event was held in Washington, DC.
This September, the GSS team assisted Marriott and hosted 10 high-value, U.S. meeting planners, and the Marriott CRN, in Toronto for a TIFF experience. During the 3-day familiarization trip, the attendees visited various Marriott properties and experienced the highlights of Toronto’s culinary, arts & culture scene, and a day trip to Niagara. During the education portion of the trip, planners shared honest feedback with us, both as a DMO partner and about our destination.
A client who has yet to select Toronto for his 1200 person meeting, but is very engaged, declared ‘Destination Toronto is by far the BEST CVB I have ever worked with. I just can’t wait to bring my meeting here!’
One client who also participated in the TIFF FAM, shared the below message to their LinkedIn page:
I was blown away by the city of Toronto - from the incredible cuisine, culture, diversity, cleanliness, safety and friendliness of the people. This skyrocketed to the top of my favorite cities in the world! I simply cannot wait to return, bring my family and enjoy this city again and again! If you have reservations about hosting a meeting in this international destination, believe me, Destination Toronto has your back. Your attendees will fall head over heels in love with this city, just as I have over the past four days. Toronto…you have my heart! See you again soon!
Way to go Team Toronto!
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Do you have a win or kudos you want included in next month's newsletter? Email us with your shout out!
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An at-a-glance look at the month ahead for the DT teams.
DEPARTMENT NEWS: WHAT'S ON THIS MONTH
GLOBAL SALES & SERVICES
GSS Activities:
- IEEE Day 2022, Oct 4: Toronto
- London UK client appointments, Oct 4-7: London, UK
- Northeast CVB Retreat, Oct 5-8: Cape Cod, MA
- Destination Celebration, Oct 6: Indianapolis, IN
- Innovation Trends TO (Pre-IMEX America client education event), Oct 7-9: Toronto
- IMEX America, Oct 11-13: Las Vegas, NV
- PCMA Northern California Chapter Annual Awards, Oct: San Francisco, CA
- ASAE Five Star Weekend, Oct 13-16: Palm Spring, CA
- CSAE National Conference, Oct 18-21: Halifax, NS
- Site Canada Education Day, Oct 26: Toronto, ON
- IEEE Convene, Oct 27-28: Boston, MA
DESTINATION SERVICES
Sales Sites & Clients Experiences:
- October 4-6: AAE (American Association of Endodontists)
- October 5: FIFA
- October 5-8: American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)
- October 8-10: Innovation Trends TO (Pre-IMEX America)
Year Prior Activations:
- October 7-15: Sibos, Amsterdam
Destination Services Citywide Planning Sites:
- October 11-12: American Association of Thoracic Surgery 2024 (AATS)
- October 11-13: CAEP
- October 18-21: American Water Works Association (AWWA)
- October 24-26: American Statistical Association
Client Events:
Partner Engagement
Upcoming Site visits of Partners product & Services
- Live Nation Lounge
- W Hotel
- Marriott Eaton Centre Hotel
TRAVEL TRADE
- Travel Trade will attend the Bienvenue Quebec Tradeshow in Montreal, October 23-26. Suppliers from Ontario, Quebec, Eastern Canada and the Northeastern United States will meet to promote their products/services to North American/International tour operators, inbound receptive operators and travel agencies.
- In partnership with First Class Holidays, Destination Canada and Air Canada, Travel Trade is hosting three Product Testing Fam Tours from the UK over the dates of Sep 30 - Oct. 3, Oct 7-10 and Oct 14-17.
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GLOBAL MARKETING
- Media Relations team is hosting a number of Canadian individual media visits in October from publications such as Journal De Montreal, La Presse, and offtracktravel.ca.
- Hosting a Cross Market Arts Toronto Press Trip (Canada, U.S. and U.K.) in partnership with Power Plant, AGO, Gardiner Museum, ROM and McMichael Gallery - October 4-7.
- Destination Ontario Fall Spotlight campaign with a focus on MICHELIN in market until October 9.
- From the U.S., the team will host a Makers Toronto press group, October 6-9.
- From Germany, the team will host Hip Toronto press group, October 12-16.
- From Mexico, the team will host a crew from Once TV, October 24-28.
- Hosting a media mission with desksides in Mexico on October 26 & 27.
- From the U.K., the team will host a Sports & Big Ticket press group, October 26-30.
- Now Playing Toronto's 'Now You Know' series is featuring Awakenings in October.
- Destination Ontario will broadcast curated Tweets from brands, including Destination Toronto, using the #DiscoverON hashtag on a Yonge and Dundas Square digital billboard.
- Top 6 enews deployed September 27 - New hub content, including articles on Ex Place sustainability practices and walkable neighbourhoods that inspire creativity.
- Cultures Evolve Here campaign with Smart Meetings magazine featuring customized landing page, banner ads, email blast & Destination Toronto feature.
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DESTINATION DEVELOPMENT
- The Toronto Inc partners are conducting a shared business development mission in Amsterdam, anchored by the year-prior event for SIBOS, a citywide meeting that will be hosted in Toronto next year. The partners (Destination Toronto, Toronto Global and Toronto Region Board of Trade) along with representatives from the GTAA, will also meet with tour operators and investment prospects for Toronto and with a team from Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport to learn how they developed their airport economic zone.
- The Business Intelligence team is preparing the quarterly reports, including the Sales Production Report, Pace Report and Marketing Insights Report. The reports will be shared with the standing committees this month and also posted in The Terminal.
- Aligned with our advocacy strategy, DT is supporting TIAO in hosting an industry roundtable with the new Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport, Neil Lumsden, in our offices on Oct. 6. In addition, members of the team will attend TIAO's Ontario Tourism Summit later in October.
- EDGE events continue this month with an important event on sustainability on October 20. Preparation is also underway for the Business Outlook Forum scheduled for November 9.
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Each edition of PULSE, we’re asking 3 questions to 3 phenomenal DT team members. We’re willing to bet you’ll learn a few tidbits about some of our fave DT people.
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Bronte Dowse (she/her)
Marketing Coordinator, Global Marketing
What is your favourite WFH accessory?
My favourite WFH accessory is my dog. Ferguson is my seven-month-old bernedoodle, and he loves when I work from home because it means he gets a walk over lunch!
What is your favourite destination outside of Toronto?
My favourite destination outside of Toronto is Positano, Italy. Great food, cute shops and an incredible beach - it feels like you're stepping into a postcard!
What’s your favourite Toronto restaurant?
My favourite Toronto restaurant is Pizzeria Via Mercanti. They have the most delicious pizza, and you must try their house wine!
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Vinita Das (she/her)
Sales Manager, U.S. Market
What is your favourite WFH accessory?
A small mirror that talks to me, you have to see it to understand what I mean, but you can also ask Nancy Hall, I inherited it from her.
What road trip can you simply not get enough of?
Chicago - I go every year to visit one of my sisters in the Spring and it usually takes about 8 hours to drive there. Although our last trip took 11 hours because we travelled with 2 kids, my other sister and a dog. The extra time was because of all the pit stops that were made for my sister's bathroom and food breaks which she apparently needed more than the dog and children. That being said, I will still go every year and could not imagine the trip without all of them with me!
What’s something in Toronto that is at the top of your Never Have I Ever bucket list?
I have never gone skating at at Nathan Phillips Square - I would love to try this one day!
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Tanaz Divecha (she/her)
Administrative Supervisor
Do you prefer working from home or working at the office?
For me, it is finding a balance between the two. At the onset of the pandemic, it was difficult getting used to working completely online. I missed interacting with people in person, the daily conversations. Now, with the hybrid model, it allows me to strike a balance, giving me the human experience on on-site days, and flexibility and being commute-free on the days I work from home.
Tell us about your most memorable trip?
My most memorable trip was a three-week visit to Japan in 2018. Visited Tokyo, Nara, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka. Each city was a unique experience. Hiroshima struck a chord as it was an emotionally charged experience. Being at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park was a somber reminder of the atrocities of war. Tokyo may be a concrete jungle of tall buildings, but in spite of the masses of people, it has unbelievably clean streets and orderly subways. My favourite city was Kyoto. It is the oldest city in Japan and considered its cultural centre with its old-world charm reflected in its serene Zen gardens, temples and shrines. We attended a traditional dinner experience called “Kaiseki” with graceful geishas that brought to the forefront thousands of years of heritage. The language barrier was difficult at times, but the smiles and the bows conveyed courtesy and respect from young and old alike wherever we went. It was the highlight of the trip that I carry with me to this day.
What’s your favourite season in Toronto, and why?
If I had to choose one season as my favourite, it would have to be spring. After the damp and cold winter days that turn dark too soon, just the lengthening of the daylight hours is a boon, not to mention temperatures creeping up. And the best part about spring is that we know that summer is just around the corner.
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CELEBRATING WORK ANNIVERSARIES!
Vanessa Somarriba - eleven year anniversary (October 17, 2011)
Libby Burgess - seven year anniversary (October 13, 2015)
Nancy Hall - five year anniversary (October 23, 2017)
Scott Beck - three year anniversary (October 15, 2019)
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