SAVOUR Muskoka Engages World Media during the G20 Summit

SAVOUR Muskoka took advantage of a limited opportunity to engage world media during the G20 Summit. During the four day period not only did the organization successfully execute four local food and beverage tastings, a committed group of SAVOUR Muskoka volunteers went out into the media area and engaged reporters and writers one on one. With a total of 850 bags distributed personally to media, our organization not only put a smile on the face of exhausted media but also showed partner organizations that our small rural community knows hospitality.

The bags that were distributed included a map, literature on our organization and one type of local member food item that reflects the region of Muskoka. Not only did SAVOUR Muskoka give out free gifts, we also provided media with a chance to win four gift baskets from Seven Main Cafe that included several member products. The four gift baskets were awarded to journalists from the Associated Press, Reuters, CNN and Channel 9 Australia. With bags and free gifts in hand, media then flocked to our tastings to indulge in local seasonal fare and view the HD Video that was made from member pictures taken during the weeks leading up to the G20 Summit. We were told that (estimated numbers from front line workers gauging attendance to the media corridor) attendance peaked 1800 visitors during one of our one hour tasting.
The impact that SAVOUR Muskoka made on colleagues, media and journalists is priceless. Our commitment to fresh, local and hospitality from our volunteers shone through during our time at the media corridor and while SAVOUR Muskoka did not have a traditional tradeshow booth our organization made the best of our short tasting sessions.

SAVOUR Muskoka continues to build on its member’s passion to community growth and volunteerism while we continue to engage the consumer. We strive to bring added value and market investment to the community of Muskoka / Parry Sound. SAVOUR Muskoka, a FedNor initiative, and its members are united in their efforts to celebrate and share in Muskoka’s agricultural and culinary heritage as these activities support healthy environments and economic growth.