Tourism Investment Fund (TIF)

Planning an event? The Tourism Investment Fund (TIF) supports events and initiatives that contribute to Burlington’s visitor economy, enhance the city’s vibrancy, and support year-round tourism.

Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is committed to supporting and growing the economic and social benefits generated by hosting events in the community. Our Tourism Investment Fund provides direct financial support to eligible organizations hosting events and activations within Burlington city limits.

Why Burlington?

Burlington offers the perfect backdrop for your event, with unique venues, a scenic waterfront, vibrant attractions, and 19 hotels ready to welcome visitors. Ideally located between Toronto and Niagara, our central waterfront destination offers everything you need for a successful event.

Discover a concierge service that transforms meetings, events, conventions, and tournaments into unforgettable experiences, tailored uniquely to your attendees. We curate exclusive, transformative, Burlington-specific experiences that seamlessly connect attendees with local culture, businesses, and hidden gems. Our team is dedicated to helping you craft bespoke adventures that will have a lasting impact on your attendees!

Download our Meetings, Conferences and Events Package

Funding Streams

The Tourism Investment Fund is delivered through two funding streams. Applicants must apply to the stream that best aligns with their event or initiative.

Stream 1: Destination Attraction

This stream supports events that attract visitors from outside Burlington and generate overnight accommodation stays. It is intended for larger-scale or multi-day events that contribute directly to the local visitor economy.

Examples may include:

Conferences, symposiums, and AGMs
Sporting tournaments and competitions
Multi-day festivals or events that generate hotel room nights

Learn more about the criteria and guidelines here.

Stream 2: Destination Vibrancy

This stream supports events and activations that enhance Burlington’s vibrancy, sense of place, and visitor experience.

Examples may include:

Festivals, markets, and public-facing events
Sporting, recreational, or leisure-based events
Seasonal activations and emerging initiatives

Learn more about the criteria and guidelines here.

Application Intake Periods

Applications are accepted through structured intake periods and are reviewed on a competitive basis within each intake period, subject to available funding.

Intake Period 1 – Summer & Fall Peak Season

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Eligible Event Dates: May 1 – October 31, 2026

Apply Now

Intake Period 2 – Winter & Shoulder Season

Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
Eligible Event Dates: November 1, 2026 – April 30, 2027

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who is eligible to apply?

Both non-profit and for-profit organizations are eligible to apply under both streams. Applicants may submit more than one application, provided each event is distinct and subject to available funding.

Do events need to take place in Burlington?

Yes. All funded events and initiatives must take place within Burlington city limits.

Are returning applicants eligible?

Yes. Applicants seeking funding for events previously supported through the Tourism Investment Fund must demonstrate clear year-over-year improvements, such as increased attendance, expanded programming, stronger visitor reach, or greater tourism or economic impact.

What can funding be used for?

Funding is intended to supplement event costs and support event success. It is not designed to cover full event expenses or generate profit. BEDT does not co-organize or manage events.

Can BEDT help promote my event?

Yes. BEDT may provide ad hoc promotional support, such as event listings, social media promotion, or newsletter features, subject to availability and relevance. The free BEDT concierge service is also available to help connect organizers with local partners and experiences.

Testimonials

Matt Mueller, Senior Manager, Championships & Events | PGA of Canada

“The PGA Women’s Championship of Canada presented by PING was greatly elevated by the Tourism Investment Fund and the impact was felt not only by our organization, but by the players and everyone who attended.”

Brent Kinnaird, Vice President, Festival Operations | Burlington's Sound of Music Festival Inc.

“The Tourism Investment Fund recognizes that an event as significant as Sound of Music drives substantial visitors to the city. The funding allows us to amplify the message and showcase the unique offerings for culinary, retail, accommodations, and local attractions.”

Dave Shepherd, Chairperson - Board of Directors | Burlington's Sound of Music Festival Inc.

“The Tourism Investment Fund understands that the Sound of Music Festival is a major magnet for visitors, boosting our city’s economy. Their support empowers us to broadcast our message widely, spotlighting Burlington’s exceptional musical and culinary delights, diverse retail, welcoming accommodations, and captivating local attractions.”

Kelly Arnott, Co-CEO and Co-Owner | VR Pro

“We are genuinely grateful for the Tourism Investment Fund and its significant impact on our Santa Race 2024 and Chilly Half Marathon 2025. The generous financial support enabled us to substantially expand our advertising efforts across various platforms, including television, social media, direct mail, and race expos, greatly increasing visibility and participation.

Additionally, the fund helped us establish meaningful partnerships with local businesses, further enriching the event experience for participants and the community. Thanks to this crucial financial backing, we are proud to see Burlington growing increasingly popular as a vibrant race destination.”

Caren Moss, Chief of Staff | Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium

“The Tourism Burlington grant was instrumental in the success of our 6th Annual Zero Emission Transit & Mobility (ZETM) Conference. The funding allowed us to secure a top-tier venue and A/V services, essential for creating a professional and engaging event for over 180 attendees.

Beyond the funding, BEDT actively collaborated with us to enhance the attendee experience through key services like shuttle buses, discount codes for regional transit, and assistance with conference materials.

This high level of support was instrumental in making the ZETM Conference a landmark event for advancing zero-emission transit and mobility in Canada.”

Steven Scagnetti, Executive Director | Racquetball Ontario

“The funding provided through TIF for 2025 Racquetball Canada National Championships has been transformative, enabling us to elevate the event into a truly prestigious affair. In fact, the anticipated success of our event has earned us the privilege of hosting several more high-profile events in Burlington in the future.”

John Romano, President | Nickel Brook Brewing Co.

“For several years we have been trying to build an Oktoberfest that Burlington could be proud of, but cost to run a festival have gotten out of control and the Tourism Investment Fund has helped tremendously. I give this department 5 Stars!”

Shann McGrail, Co Chair | Women Health Innovation

“We are thrilled to have chosen Burlington as our host city. Burlington’s strategic location, unwavering support for innovation, and strong leadership have been instrumental in our decision. The invaluable support from the Tourism Innovation Fund has enabled us to feature exceptional speakers, enhance and extend our conference 2025 experience, and welcome more attendees. The combination of this fund and the exceptional staff has truly set our conference up for success.”

Donna Pinsonneault, CEO | She’s Got Leggz inc.

“We are incredibly grateful to have received support from the 2024 Burlington Tourism Investment Fund, which played a vital role in the success of our annual leadership conference hosted in Burlington. This funding enabled us to elevate our event experience—welcoming our Stylists from across Canada, where they engaged in high-impact training, networking, and personal development.

Thanks to the funding, we were able to enhance our programming by securing industry-leading speakers in the areas of leadership, technology, mindset, sales and fashion, creating an electrifying experience for our community of Stylists. The ripple effect of this investment extends well beyond the conference itself, as attendees returned home with renewed energy, new skills, and a stronger commitment to growing their businesses—many of which directly contribute to their local economies.”