Tourism Investment Fund (TIF)

Planning an event in 2025? The Tourism Investment Fund (TIF) supports events happening in 2025 that drive overnight visits, boost the local economy, and position Burlington as a premier destination.

Burlington Economic Development and Tourism is committed to supporting and growing the economic and social benefits generated by hosting events in the community. The Tourism Investment Fund provides direct assistance to organizations to host events in Burlington that drive overnight stays.

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!

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What is the Tourism Investment Fund?

The Tourism Investment Fund is a grant to support the hosting of events that drive overnight stays in Burlington. It prioritizes events held during off-peak seasons, especially those that encourage mid-week hotel stays and engage diverse, equity-deserving communities. Events that generate at least 20 hotel night stays are eligible for funding, and applicants can apply for only one grant per year, with an emphasis on demonstrating year-over-year growth in programming, room nights, or attendance. The Tourism Investment Fund focuses on events that have a meaningful impact on the local community.

Learn more about the criteria and guidelines here.

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Success Stories

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.”