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Overview

Mentorships are delivered through the Catalyste+ Organization and its network of executive-level volunteers with decades of specialized business knowledge and expertise in a wide range of business-related disciplines. The goals of the program are to:

• Provide the resources necessary to strengthen the tourism industry by developing skills and increasing business knowledge of tourism operators;
• Provide opportunities for NWT tourism business operators to learn and benefit from more experienced tourism operators/professionals;
• Enhance the strength of the tourism industry over the long term by providing resources and opportunities for NWT tourism businesses to learn from experienced professionals; and
• Facilitate knowledge transfer from more experienced professionals to new/younger entrepreneurs.

Funding Available

The Tourism Business Mentorship Program has two delivery options:

Option 1: Face-to-Face Mentorship

Face-to-Face Mentorships allows the Mentor and Mentee to work together on-site at the Mentee’s place of business. Each Mentee will receive a total of three days of in-person on-site mentorship as well as four days of mentorship from a distance using web and/or telephone on a schedule developed to suit their availability.

• Funding will cover costs up to a maximum of $5500 per person as per the agreement between Catalyste+ and ITI.
• ITI will provide the funds to Catalyste+ to administer the mentorships.
• All allocations are subject to fund availability

Option 2: Virtual Mentorship

Virtual Mentorships involve the Mentor and the Mentee working together remotely with the use of web and/or telephone technology.  Each Mentee will receive 49 hours of virtual mentorship on a schedule developed to suit their availability.

• Funding will cover costs up to a maximum of $2600 per person as per the agreement between Catalyste+ and ITI.
• ITI will provide the funds to Catalyste+ to administer the mentorships.
• All allocations are subject to fund availability.

Deadline

This program is currently accepting applications. Deadline to apply is May 16, 2023

Call for applications normally issued in March with a deadline in April.

Eligibility

Mentees

Criteria for tourism operators (Mentees) to apply to the program:

• Must be a resident of the NWT.
• Must have a valid Tourism Operator License or be a business, collective or organization that is engaged in the tourism sector.
• Must be legally entitled to be a business in the NWT.
• Business plan would be an asset.

Mentors

Catalyste+ sets Mentor criteria and standards and acts as the liaison for the Mentee in the selection process for a Mentor.

How to apply

1. Complete an application form
2. Send the application form to your regional office.

Related links

• Tourism Business Mentorship Program Brochure                             
• Tourism Business Mentorship Program Guidelines                          
• Tourism Business Mentorship Program FAQ
• TBMP Application Form