Local residents, seasonal residents and visitors alike count on Huntsville Hospital to provide that care for everything from minor injuries to more serious accidents and health issues.

And as Huntsville grows, the need for workers across all sectors — hospitality included — grows with it, increasing hospital use further.

In recognition of the impact both the tourism economy and Huntsville’s hospitality growth have on hospital staff and infrastructure, the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association (HMATA), whose provincially legislated mandate is to promote and develop tourism in Huntsville, presented a $30,000 donation to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) on December 4.

“Huntsville Hospital Foundation staff are passionate about ensuring that residents and visitors alike have access to excellent hospital care, and we are thrilled to support their efforts,” said Kelly Haywood, executive director for HMATA and Explore Huntsville. “We recognize the impact that bringing a lot of people to Huntsville has on the hospital.”

Since 2023, HMATA has donated $110,000 to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

“We really appreciate this recognition of our whole hospital team,” said Katherine Craine, HHF CEO.

Many people are unaware that not all hospital needs are covered by tax dollars. Ninety per cent of the hospital’s technology and equipment purchases are funded by the community, making the work of HHF and donations from both individuals and local businesses essential to its operations.

All of the funds distributed by HMATA are collected via the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax, paid by visitors to Huntsville at local accommodations.

The post Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association Recognizes Hospital Foundation’s Efforts With $30,000 Donation appeared first on Muskoka411.

And as Huntsville grows, the need for workers across all sectors — hospitality included — grows with it, increasing hospital use further.

In acknowledgement of the impact both the tourism economy and Huntsville’s hospitality growth have on hospital staff and infrastructure, the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association (HMATA), whose provincially legislated mandate is to promote and develop tourism in Huntsville, presented a $30,000 donation to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) on December 10.

“It means so much to the HMATA board and staff that we contribute to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, not only because of the incredible need for its growth and development, but also fundamentally because we recognize the impact bringing a lot of people to Huntsville has on the hospital,” said Kelly Haywood, executive director for HMATA and Explore Huntsville. “We are fortunate to have such an incredible hospital foundation raising funds to ensure residents and visitors alike have access to excellent hospital care, and we are thrilled to support their efforts.”

Since 2023, HMATA has donated $80,000 to the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

“We are so grateful for HMATA’s support. We really appreciate the recognition of how much hard work is being done by our professionals at the hospital,” said Katherine Craine, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “Our emergency department is quite often over capacity — especially in the summer when we have at least three times the number of emergency department visits. Twenty per cent of our overall emergency department visits are from outside of our area.”

HHF has been tapped to raise $35 million for the upcoming build of a new hospital in Huntsville, but the actual amount needed will be much more over time, noted Craine. “We’ve also got to keep the current hospital running and the equipment coming in. The government does not pay for equipment at the hospital — that’s all through donations from our community to our Foundation.”

HMATA, Huntsville’s official destination management and marketing organization (DMMO), launched its public-facing visitor attraction entity, Explore Huntsville, earlier this year and is currently accepting grant applications from businesses and organizations with innovative ideas for events, initiatives and marketing campaigns that will draw people to town.

All of the funds distributed by HMATA are collected via the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax, paid by visitors to Huntsville at local accommodations.

The post Hospital Foundation Receives $30,000 Boost From Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association appeared first on Muskoka411.

What are community tourism sponsorships?

If you’re planning a tourism-related event or project between October 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, this funding may be for you! Made possible by the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) — paid by visitors at local hotels, motels, resorts, and short-term rental accommodations — community tourism sponsorships help to grow Huntsville’s tourism industry by supporting initiatives by local organizations or which benefit the Huntsville tourism economy. 

Who can apply?

Both non-profits and private businesses in the Town of Huntsville can apply for support for events or projects within Huntsville. Organizations from outside of Huntsville planning events that will have significant economic impact in Huntsville may also apply. Although events happening at any time of year will be considered, those in the shoulder seasons or winter months, as well as mid-week events, are preferred.

How to apply

Visit huntsvillemat.com/community-tourism-sponsorships for full details and to submit an application before June 30, 2024.

The post Tourism Funding Available! Applications Open For HMATA Community Tourism Sponsorships appeared first on Muskoka411.

Recognizing the impact that this increase has on hospital staff and infrastructure, the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Association (HMATA), whose mandate is to promote and develop tourism in Huntsville, is pleased to support the Huntsville Hospital Foundation (HHF) with a $50,000 donation.

“When you think how and who does tourism impact quite significantly, it’s the health-care system,” said Kelly Haywood, HMATA’s executive director. “It’s important and prudent for us to be supporting the hospital in its growth.”

Members of the HMATA board of directors presented a cheque to HHF staff at a luncheon at 3 Guys and a Stove on December 5.

“This gift is truly impactful. We have huge goals for the hospital. Know that your support is not only supporting our local community, but our local community who are bringing their families here, who are bringing their visitors here,” said Meaghan Byrnes, HHF’s director of philanthropy. “What’s the one thing that can hinder a vacation? An accident or a hospital stay. If we can provide that level of compassion, support and most importantly, access to care right here in the community where they are, imagine how they can go back and tell people and how they will come back.”

Visits to Huntsville Hospital’s emergency department triple in the summer, noted Byrnes. “Thank you for recognizing what staff are doing to care for everyone in the community — visitors, seasonal and local. They are doing everything in their power to support everyone who comes through the door.”

The foundation’s Business Cares program is one way that the local community can support the hospital, now and into the future.

“The program started in 2015 with the goal of enticing 40 local businesses to pledge $5,000 a year for five years — a $25,000 commitment. We have surpassed that goal and have had 60 businesses pledge through the program,” said Trish Kruusmagi, HHF’s development officer, events and community engagement. “We would like to recognize HMATA as a Business Cares partner.”

HMATA, Huntsville’s official destination marketing and management organization (DMMO), is beginning to implement its recently completed strategic plan and looks forward to working toward its goal of making Huntsville one of Ontario’s most-cherished year-round destinations.

Since 2020, HMATA has dispersed more than $1 million for tourism marketing and in support of local attractions and organizations including the hugely successful Eclipse Walk with Light at Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville Festival of the Arts programming, the Downtown Huntsville BIA, the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, many community events and local youth organizations.

All of the funds distributed by HMATA are collected via the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax, paid by visitors to Huntsville at local accommodations.

The post Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Assoc. Makes $50K Donation To Hospital Foundation appeared first on Muskoka411.

Planning for the competition, which would attract upwards of 20 high school robotics teams to Huntsville, is in the works for the new year.

“We think this is a great event and we are pleased to support it,” Jeff Suddaby, HMATA board chair, told the team on behalf of the HMATA board of directors. “You not only shared your passion for robotics with us, you opened our eyes to the positive economic benefits that this competition can bring to Huntsville. We look forward to welcoming your competitors. Go, Hoyas, go!”

HMATA’s $9,000 contribution is a “huge seed for a big garden,” said HHS teacher and robotics mentor, Ian McTavish. The team aims for this to be the first of many competitions in Huntsville and invites the community to attend one of these thrilling events.

Hoya Robotics also works to promote STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math), and robotics in particular, to students, the community, and beyond. Most recently, they have been tasked by First Robotics Canada to support the formation of a new robotics team at Georgian College’s Bracebridge campus. “The goal is to build a [robotics] corridor all the way from north of Toronto to North Bay and beyond,” said McTavish.

The team will kick off the First Robotics competition season on January 6, when the 2024 game parameters are released by the organization, and will be joined by a team from Manitoulin Island for the announcement. Hoya Robotics will then have a mere eight weeks to build a robot to First Robotics specifications before the competition season begins.

HMATA, which was recently named by Town Council as Huntsville’s official Destination Marketing Organization, is beginning to implement its recently completed strategic plan and looks forward to working toward its goal of making Huntsville one of Ontario’s most-cherished year-round destinations via tourism promotion and development and support for local tourism partners and events.

Since 2020, HMATA has dispersed more than $1 million for tourism marketing and supported many local events, attractions and organizations including the hugely successful Eclipse Walk with Light at Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville Festival of the Arts programming, the Downtown Huntsville BIA,  the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, many community events, and local youth organizations. All of the funds distributed by HMATA are collected via the Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax, paid by visitors to Huntsville at local accommodations.

The post Huntsville Municipal Accommodation Tax Assoc. Excited To Support HHS Robotics Competition appeared first on Muskoka411.

“Kelly has long been a passionate and dedicated advocate for our great town and we welcome her vast experience to direct us forward for the benefit of both visitors and the folks who call Huntsville home,” says Jeff Suddaby, HMATA board chair. “She will orchestrate and direct the voice of Huntsville in sharing stories of unique Huntsville experiences and activities, with the support of the local businesses and residents who create those experiences and activities. Together, they provide the foundation for strong, year-round tourism which benefits us all.”

Kelly is well-known in the local community through her role as executive director of the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, an organization she helped guide for 20 years.

“I feel very honoured to be selected for this position although it was also an extremely difficult decision for me,” she says. “The past 20 years have been incredibly rewarding and I will miss the Chamber team and community so much. Thank goodness I’m not going far. I’m excited to work with the HMATA board to fulfill their strategic goals and to promote our community as a wonderful place to visit, play and live.”

Kelly and her Chamber team have been HMATA’s administrators since its inception, and both organizations will continue to work together and with other stakeholders for the benefit of the Huntsville community.

“In her 20 years with the Chamber, Kelly has had tremendous impact on both our organization and the community. We are excited that the Chamber and HMATA will continue to work together to put Huntsville on the map,” says Scott Acton, president of the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce.

HMATA was recently named by Town Council as Huntsville’s official Destination Marketing Organization and will continue to promote and develop tourism in Huntsville.

Since 2020, HMATA has dispersed more than $1 million for tourism marketing and supported many local events, attractions and organizations including the hugely successful Eclipse Walk with Light at Muskoka Heritage Place, Huntsville Festival of the Arts programming, the Downtown Huntsville BIA,  the Huntsville Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce, the annual Ironman 70.3 Muskoka, the Muskoka Maple Festival, the Muskoka 2/4 Craft Beer Festival, the Muskoka Music Crawl Campfire Sessions, youth sports organizations and an upcoming robotics competition hosted by Huntsville High School.

HMATA will now begin to implement its recently completed strategic plan and looks forward to working toward its goal of making Huntsville one of Ontario’s most-cherished year-round destinations.

The post HMATA Welcomes Kelly Haywood As Its New Executive Director appeared first on Muskoka411.