Today I attended the Rural and Relevant (7th Annual Regional Tourism Conference) here in Owen Sound. Donna Hatt from Nova Scotia was the dynamite keynote speaker. She's an absolute riot to listen to, but I wish she'd gone through more concrete examples in her follow-up workshop "Moving Your Ideas Into Action." My take away for the day was hearing Donna (in her east coast accent) ask, "You want a piece of that? Sure you do! So g'wan out and take it!" Think Cathy Jones telling you about how to market your tourist destination. It was great.

After a terrific lunch served up by the Georgian College chefs-in-training we got down to discussing the locals. There was a panel discussion on food and tourism as well as four local success stories. AND (best part) I won tickets to the Holstein Rodeo next year. You bet your booties I'm excited about this. I've never been to a rodeo before. I think I might buy a hat and boots and everything.