Hello loyal NOTO members and colleagues,
As this is my last message as President, I wanted to take a few moments to share some thoughts and words of thanks. This is the time of year is always a time for reflection, to share input, and express challenges and strengths related to our sector of tourism, while NOTO serves as the voice that brings these issues to the appropriate decision-makers and helps influence outcomes. It is thanks to the support of our loyal contributing members that allow us at NOTO to invoke the change that help all operators in our sector.
I am ending my extended stay as the NOTO President (Chair of the Board), but I will remain engaged as Past President. I know the Board and staff will be in good hands with Kyle Polesky from Nakina Wilderness Outfitters as our new President.
To the always reliable and cooperative Board, I really enjoyed and looked forward to the input and support you provided over my tenure as President. You always represented your area well by openly expressing your views and advice on every subject we discussed. I especially gained from opposing views that allowed me to be better informed and become more open minded. Speaking honestly seemed to be the most effective way to determine the best solution. I would like to personally congratulate you all on a job well done and urge you to continue on the board as long as possible. I also invite any other member to vie for future positions on the board.
Last but not least, I want to thank and recognize Laurie and Kate for their effort and dedication. Your work has not gone unnoticed. As we all know, if you have a problem or issue – who do you call? It’s not Ghost Busters; it’s the dynamic duo. These outstanding staff members solve numerous issues and help so many operators with the limited resources provided by a fraction of the industry they work so hard to help. Imagine what we could do if every operator was a member of NOTO? Together, our voice would be stronger, our ideas more impactful, and our influence greater.
I encourage each of our members to share this with others: By becoming a member, you’re not just supporting your own business, you’re shaping the future of tourism across the region. Every insight, every concern, and every success shared helps us advocate more effectively, creates meaningful opportunities, and ensures that the unique experiences Northern Ontario has to offer are recognized, supported, and celebrated. I strongly encourage every member to reach out to their peers and urge them to become a member.
Sincere thanks to everyone that is working to improve Northern Tourism.
All the best in the year ahead,
Bob Garson, NOTO Past President
Garson’s Fly-In Outposts