Mélissa Gélinas
Published online March 11, 2026, at www.pontiacjournal.com.
MRC Pontiac – The MRC Pontiac has allocated more than $75,000 from the Regions and Rurality Fund (FRR) component 2 to support initiatives tied to its 2026 territorial marketing strategy. The funding is similar to — or slightly lower than — previous years and will support efforts to promote the region, increase visibility and fund signage projects, publications, partnerships, press visits and other promotional activities.
The budget will be divided into three components: 40% for media relations, 44% for printing and marketing materials, and 16% for trade shows and fairs. The media relations component includes campaigns carried out largely in partnership with Tourisme Outaouais and the Ottawa Valley Tourism Association. These initiatives include television productions, influencer campaigns, journalist visits and placements in magazines and online platforms. Last year, six media tours organized with partners generated nearly $22,000 in media exposure with a base contribution of $10,000.
Printing and marketing materials will include signage, documents, booklets, backdrops, clothing and other promotional items aimed at increasing visibility and providing visitors with accessible information about the region.
The remaining 16% will fund participation in trade shows and fairs, including events such as the Shawville Fair, the Fort-Coulonge Business Expo and other regional activities. Additional visits are planned to five trade shows in Toronto and Montreal, where a large portion of the target audience is located.
“We adjust our visits to trade shows based on tourism trends and the projects that will need to be highlighted throughout the year,” said Stéphanie Hébert-Potter, economic development and tourism commissioner for the MRC Pontiac. (Trans. PJ)