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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.

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.

📅 Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2026
🕓 Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
📍 Location: Umbrella Alley & UnHitched Brewing Company

Let's Celebrate Our Stark County Tourism Industry

Join us as we kick off summer with our Party in the Alley - a festive evening dedicated to celebrating our tourism partners and honoring America 250! We’re excited to gather in Louisville’s Umbrella Alley, featuring a vibrant patriotic display, for an afternoon filled with community pride, creativity, and connection.

Enjoy chalk art in Umbrella Alley by local artists Jeff Keirn and Mallory Menegay, adding to the lively atmosphere of the evening.

After taking in the sights, we’ll continue the celebration at UnHitched Brewing Company, where partners can relax and connect while enjoying delicious food and beverages, along with sweet treats from The Alley Café & Bakery and Virgil’s Coffee House & Creamery.

Let’s come together to celebrate what makes our tourism industry so strong! Register to attend the event here.

Have a question about the day? Reach out to Visit Canton Senior Manager, Community & Partner Relations, Allison Gromofsky, allisong@visitcanton.com.

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.

MeetinCanton Spring Lunch & Learn - Columbus
Thursday, May 21 from 11:30 AM -1:00 PM | Fado Pub & Kitchen

Party in the Alley
Wednesday, May 27 from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM | Umbrella Alley & UnHitched Brewing Company

OSAP Annual Conference
Wednesday, June 3 - Friday, June 5 | Sawmill Creek

Visit Canton Partner Huddle
Thursday, June 18 at 12:00 PM | Virtual

Find out more information and register to attend.

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

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.