Partner Zone

Partners, this is the place to stay updated on time sensitive announcements, upcoming deadlines, news you need to know! Don't have CVBuzz coming to your inbox? Sign-up to receive the weekly e-blast!

Visit Canton is seeking proposals from venue and event partners to host our 2026 Merry Mixer!

📅 Thursday, November 19, 2026
🕓 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 It could be YOU!

This festive holiday gathering brings together Visit Canton tourism partners for an evening of networking, celebration, and holiday cheer. The event will host up to 150 tourism and hospitality professionals from across Stark County and is designed to showcase a memorable guest experience while celebrating another successful year in tourism.

Venue & Event Requirements:

• Accommodations for up to 150 guests
• Festive holiday atmosphere and décor
• Space that encourages networking and mingling
• Unique entertainment, interactive experiences, or holiday-themed activities
• Event staffing and service support as needed
• Tables, seating, linens, and event setup included

Food & Beverage:

• Heavy hors d'oeuvres, appetizer stations, or similar food offerings for up to 150 guests
• One to two beverage tickets per attendee (beer, wine, cocktails, or non-alcoholic options)
  

Proposal Information:
Visit Canton welcomes proposals that showcase your venue, holiday atmosphere, entertainment offerings, food and beverage selections, and any unique experiences that would create a memorable celebration for our partners.

View the full RFP process here!

Total budget must not exceed $4,500. Interested partners are invited to submit proposals and pricing details for consideration in PDF format by 5:00 PM on Friday, July 10th.

Questions and proposal submissions can be submitted to Gabe Baker, Partner Content Coordinator, GabeB@VisitCanton.com

Do you have guests looking to navigate the Canton area without the hassle of a car service, traffic, or parking?

This summer, on select weekends in June and July, catch a ride on the Visit Canton Connector. The free shuttle service runs on a continuous looping route between select hotels, event venues, and popular Canton area destinations with pick-up/drop-off at each location every, approximately 25-35 minutes.

Operated by SARTA and funded by Visit Canton, the Canton Connector connects riders to some of Canton's most notable attractions, museums, events, dining and entertainment.

The shuttle operates on Fridays and Saturdays only, from 8:00 AM - 8:30 PM, no service on Sundays. There will not be service the weekend of July 4th.

Shuttle Schedule:

• Friday, June 19 - Saturday, June 20
• Friday, June 26 - Saturday, June 27
• Friday, July 10 - Saturday, July 11
• Friday, July 17 - Saturday, July 18
• Friday, July 24 - Saturday, July 25

View all the shuttle information here and encourage your visitors to do the same!

Please reach out to Taylor Helbig, Guest Outreach & Experience Manager, with any questions: taylorh@visitcanton.com.

Taylor Helbig – Guest Experience Manager

Please join us in welcoming Taylor as our new Guest Experience Manager at Visit Canton!

In this role, Taylor will lead guest-facing initiatives that bring our destination to life—supporting events, community outreach, and creating memorable experiences for visitors and residents alike.

Taylor is a graduate of Kent State University with a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Performance and a minor in Psychology. She brings a background in social work, fitness instruction, and personal training - driven by a passion for helping others and creating positive, engaging experiences.

A North Canton resident, Taylor’s favorite local spot is Walkie Talkie Coffee, and she’s excited to dive into events, build new relationships, and explore even more of what Stark County has to offer.

Please join us in welcoming Taylor to the Visit Canton team! Feel free to connect with her at TaylorH@visitcanton.com.

Please join us in welcoming Izzy as our new Client & Guest Engagement Coordinator at Visit Canton!

In this role, Izzy supports the Sales & Service team through event activations, sales administration, and client communications, while also serving as Manager on Duty for Guest Service Specialists at our Welcome Centers.

A Canton native, Izzy is a graduate of Malone University and recently earned his M.B.A. in Sports Management. He brings a strong passion for community engagement and creating positive visitor experiences.

Currently living in Massillon, Izzy’s favorite local spot is the Foreverlawn Sports Park at Hall of Fame Village. He’s excited to connect with current partners, welcome new ones, and help showcase all that makes Stark County a great place to visit.

Please join us in welcoming Izzy to the Visit Canton team! Feel free to connect with him at IsrraelM@visitcanton.com.

If your board meetings feel report-heavy, if roles get blurry, or if engagement is uneven, this workshop is built for you.

Join a practical, hands-on learning lab that helps boards move faster, govern smarter, and stay anchored to mission. Walk out with clearer roles, better meetings, stronger committees, and a governance toolkit you can use immediately.

Who Should Attend?

• Executive directors and senior staff who support the board
• Board members and officers
• Committee chairs and committee members
• Staff with career aspirations to manage a nonprofit organization

All learning labs run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with check-in open at 9:30 a.m.

• July 28 in Lake County (City of Willoughby City Hall)
• Aug. 25 in Chillicothe (The Plaza Conference Center)

Investment includes in lab learning materials, everything listed in 'resources you will receive' and lunch.

• $125/pp for OTA Members
• $175/pp for Non-Members

Register for the event here!

Questions? Contact OTA Executive Director Melinda Huntley at mhuntley@ohiotravel.org.

Encourage Your Interns to Step Into Stark

The Step Into Stark Intern Development Series is a unique opportunity for interns and emerging professionals to connect with local leaders, explore career opportunities, and discover why Stark County is a great place to live, work, and build a future.

We encourage our Visit Canton partners to share these opportunities with your interns, seasonal employees, and young professionals. The series is designed to connect Stark County's business community, showcase the region's assets, and help emerging talent build meaningful connections throughout the county.

Upcoming Sessions:

📅 June 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Step Into Stark: Emerging Talent Luncheon
Connect with business and community leaders while learning more about career opportunities throughout Stark County.

📅 July 8, 2026 | 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Leadership Development: Gallup Strengths Assessment & Training
Participants will gain valuable insight into their strengths and learn how to leverage them for personal and professional success.

📅 July 22, 2026 | 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Discover Downtown Interactive Walking Tour
Experience Stark County through a guided exploration of Downtown Canton while learning about local businesses, attractions, and community development initiatives.

Help your interns make the most of their summer in Stark County and click here to learn more and sign-up for all of the programming.

2026 is the 250th anniversary of the United States! Ohio History Connection wants to host more than 250 Ohio Open Doors events in 2026 and have at least one in each of our state’s 88 counties. Ohio Open Doors 2026 is another opportunity for your community to be a part of America 250-Ohio.

Ohio Open Doors is state-wide event that takes place every other year. During Ohio Open Doors, stewards of historic buildings, places and spaces, open their doors to the public for special tours and programs.

Many events are exclusive to Ohio Open Doors. Since the program started in 2016 hosts have noted upticks in visitation during Ohio Open Doors.

Early bird registration deadline July 13, 2026.

Register your event here!

This summer, Visit Canton is out and about regionally and across Stark County! From fairs and festivals to sporting events and community gatherings, we’re excited to connect with visitors and showcase our amazing destination partners along the way.

Do you have giveaway items or grand prize items you’d like to share?

🎁 Got leftover giveaways taking up space?

🎫 Want to promote a gift card or new experience?

🙌 Want visibility at events but don’t have staff to attend?

We’d love to feature your organization! Items may be used as prize wheel giveaways or as grand prizes at events all summer long.

Reach out to Taylor Helbig, Visit Canton Guest Experience Manager at taylorh@visitcanton.com to participate and coordinate a pick-up.

Looking to become a member of the Ohio Restaurant Association?

Membership in the Ohio Restaurant Association provides access to valuable resources designed to support and strengthen your business, including industry advocacy, educational opportunities, regulatory updates, networking events, workforce resources, and member-exclusive savings programs.

Any restaurant that participated in the Canton Community Dish hosted by Gervasi Vineyards is eligible for the membership discount code provided OHRA as a thank you for hosting.

Please follow this link to sign up, use the QR code, or click the learn more button below!

Looking to join the OHRA or have additional questions about membership benefits? Rech out to Lauren Simon, Northeast Ohio, Territory 4, at lsimon@ohiorestaurant.org.

REMINDER! It's time to submit your ad for the Visit Canton 2026 fall/winter Travel Guide (distributed September 2026 - February 2027).If you purchased an ad in the current spring/summer 2026 Travel Guide, you may update your ad at no charge for the fall/winter guide, or you may pick up the same ad to run again. PLEASE CONFIRM BY MAY 1st.

Please respond via the online portal >> https://glstudios.com/visit-canton-2026-artwork/Any questions, contact Megan Stimac mstimac@glstudios.com.*SPECIAL EVENTS*

Promote your fall and winter events in the guide & online with a Special Event Feature Listing in the Calendar of Events special section for $550 or two events for $950 (save $150). Contact Nichole Cardinale ncardinale@glstudios.com | (330) 265-8665 to reserve your event listing.

Tourism Takes Flight: Partner Luncheon & Behind the Scenes Tour: Join fellow tourism, hospitality, attraction, and community partners from across Stark and Summit counties for an afternoon of networking, industry updates, and exclusive behind-the-scenes access at Akron-Canton Airport.

• Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
• Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
• Location: Akron-Canton Airport

Visit Canton Industry Development Day: Join Visit Canton for Industry Development Day, a half-day professional development conference designed for tourism, hospitality, attractions, events, arts and culture, and community partners across Stark County.

• Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
• Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
• Location: Stark Parks Exploration Gateway
  

Visit Canton Partner Huddle: Visit Canton Partner Huddles are quarterly gatherings that provide updates, resources, and opportunities to collaborate. They offer partners a chance to connect, ask questions, and stay aligned on initiatives that strengthen our communities.

• Date: Thursday, October 15th at
• Time: 12:00 PM ~ 1:00 PM
• Location: Visit Canton Downtown Offices

Visit Canton Merry Mixer: Join fellow attractions, restaurants, hotels, venues, arts and culture organizations, and community partners for an evening of networking, celebration, and holiday cheer as we reflect on another successful year of tourism in Stark County.

• Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
• Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
• Location: It could be YOU!

Click here to find out more information and register to attend events.

Visit Canton’s Grant Programs provide funding to support events, projects, and initiatives that attract visitors to Stark County. Applications for 2026 projects open September 10th, giving partners the chance to strengthen tourism impact and create memorable experiences. Learn more about eligibility, criteria, and how to apply on the Visit Canton Grant Landing Page.

2026 Cultural Tourism Grants

The ArtsinStark/Visit Canton Cultural Tourism Grant program will invest up to $200,000 in 2026 to support arts and cultural events, programming, and marketing initiatives that drive regional visitation and visitor spending.

Grant Program Highlights:

• Competitive awards of up to $20,000 per project (max $20,000 per organization per cycle).

• Projects must increase attendance from outside Stark County, enhance events with arts & cultural elements, and foster collaboration.

• Applications must be submitted 90 days before project execution; projects must be completed in 2026.

2026 Event Support Grants

Visit Canton’s Event Support Grant program is designed to increase regional visitation and economic impact through visitor spending by supporting sporting events & tournaments, conferences, professional meetings, expos, and complementary experiences tied to qualifying events.

Grant Program Highlights:

• Events must have a minimum commitment of 125 Stark County hotel room nights and/or 400-day visitors from outside of Stark County.

• Competitive awards of up to $10,000 per event, pending available funds.

• Applications must be submitted at least 90 days before the scheduled event.

• Events must be hosted within the 2026 calendar year.

Business and Event Listings Updates, Exploreboard Maintenance, and New Partner Onboarding: Gabe Baker, gabeb@visitcanton.com

Website Updates and Social Content Requests: Willis Brienza, willisb@visitcanton.com

Welcome Center Brochures and Travel Guide Requests: Carole Camarata, carolec@visitcanton.com

Grants, Industry Partner Programs, Marketing and Promotions Opportunities: Allison Gromofsky, allisong@visitcanton.com

Important Reminders Regarding the Use of “America 250” Logos & Brand Placement:

• The word mark “America 250” is owned by the national America 250 Commission.
• The Ohio Commission holds the license to use the words “America 250” in our logo and communications.
  
• Permission to use the words “America 250” can be granted if:
  • Your organization is an official America 250-Ohio Community, or
  • You have signed an America 250-Ohio logo agreement.

• If your organization wishes to use the national America 250 logo, permission must be obtained from the national organization.

We encourage all partners to review these resources to support your 2026 America 250 projects and ensure proper use of the America 250 brand. You can also download the America 250-OH Stark County logo here.

The America 250-Ohio Commission website now features a dedicated landing page where you can list your community’s 2025-2026 America 250 events. Submit your events anytime using this calendar submission form to increase visibility and support statewide promotion.

Let's put Stark County on the map - don't miss this FREE opportunity! Submit your America 250 Ohio events here.

We want to see your best shots!

Whether it's a scenic view, a fun event, or your latest photoshoot, upload your photos and videos to help us showcase what makes our area a great destination.

Upload Directly to Visit Canton, or use the submission further down this page!

Have you been featured in the news? Let us know!

• Partner Benefits & Industry Resources
• Event Planning Resource Guide

Visit Canton uses a technology platform to aggregate event listings from Google-indexed data. If your event is listed on Eventbrite, Ticketmaster, Facebook, or your website, it may already be listed. View the Event Guide for more information on the automation process.

If you prefer to submit your event manually, please submit event details here.