For Immediate Release – October 14, 2025 (Outlook, SK)

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The Destination Business Program, led by Community Futures Mid-Sask, has been recognized nationally with the 2025 Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Recovery Award. This national award celebrates initiatives that have made an exceptional impact on rebuilding and strengthening local economies.

The Destination Business Program helps rural entrepreneurs transform their small enterprises into destination businesses - places worth the drive or online visit - while fostering community collaboration. Through creative marketing, coaching, and peer learning, the program has helped business owners rethink how they attract and serve customers and how their business can stand out in an ever-changing marketplace.

“This award is a tremendous honour,” said Lilah McIvor, General Manager of Community Futures Mid-Sask. “We’re deeply appreciative of the recognition from EDAC, but even more grateful for the incredible rural businesses that have embraced this program. Their drive to grow, innovate, and support one another is what truly powers this program. We’re also thankful to Community Futures’ Rural Opportunity Fund 2.0 for funding this initiative which helps to make it accessible to rural entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”

Since its inception in the fall of 2023, the Destination Business Program has engaged 368 businesses and over 2,100 participants with its programming that helps rural enterprises to grow and thrive. An overwhelming 96.6% of businesses surveyed said they would recommend this program to peers, pointing to its practical relevance and real-world impact.

Interested to find out more or become involved in the Destination Business Program? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and follow them on Facebook: @destinationbusinessprogram

Community Futures Mid-Sask: Proud Winners of the International BREI Award for their Destination Business Project

For Immediate Release – June 25, 2024 (Outlook, SK)

View the Award Acceptance Video

The Board of Directors of Community Futures Mid-Sask are thrilled to announce that Community Futures (CF) Mid-Sask was awarded the prestigious International Award for Outstanding State/Province Program at the 2024 Business Retention and Expansion International (BREI) annual conference in Hattiesburg, Mississippi on June 13th, 2024. CF Mid-Sask, a non-profit organization located in central Saskatchewan, is dedicated to fostering economic development and entrepreneurship in rural and remote communities. As one of 267 Community Futures offices across Canada, CF Mid-Sask leverages its community-driven model to address the unique challenges and opportunities of its rural region. 

Lilah McIvor, General Manager of CF Mid-Sask comments, “We’re so honored to receive this international award for our Destination Business Program! CF Mid-Sask strives to provide impactful business programming in our region. Our clients told us they wanted additional marketing training so they could expand their market base, pull more customers into their businesses and promote collaboratively with others in their local regions. We had delivered a program that focused on marketing and destination development already, and decided to expand the program, if we could. Through the generous support of the Rural Opportunity Fund, the Destination Business Program now delivers impactful business workshops and support across both Saskatchewan and Manitoba.”  

Key components of the Destination Business Program include the internationally developed Jon Schallert Destination Creation Course, connector workshops centered around small business owners’ needs, and individualized business coaching. 

The Destination Creation course offers in-depth training on marketing, profitability, leadership, and productivity, and emphasizes the identification of business uniqueness and the development of targeted marketing strategies to attract non-local customers. The Destination Business Program has notably improved the local business climate by increasing competitiveness, encouraging collaboration, building resilience, enhancing resource access, and driving economic growth. 

With a total of 873 participants trained and 100% of survey respondents recommending the Destination Creation course, the Destination Business Program has achieved substantial success. To date, the program has offered nine Destination Creation Courses and ten Connector Workshops covering diverse topics, conducted 15 one-on-one coaching sessions, and performed 18 follow-up surveys to monitor and adapt to participant training needs. 

Workshops are open for Fall registration on the Destination Business website: www.destinationbusiness.ca

Destination Business Program Thrives: Empowering Entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan and Manitoba

[Outlook, Saskatchewan, January 18, 2024] - The fall of 2023 marked the successful launch of the Destination Business Program, thanks to the generous support from the Rural Opportunity Fund (ROF) 2.0 and Community Futures Mid-Sask. Over the next two years, this program will empower small businesses in Saskatchewan and Manitoba as they develop their destination potential. With an aim to guide entrepreneurs as they identify their company’s unique and compelling qualities, the program focuses on marketing, leadership development, business collaboration and much more.

By the end of 2023, the program had already achieved impressive results:

• 274 Participants Trained: A total of 274 participants accessed training through the Destination Business Program, gaining valuable insights and skills to enhance their business operations.
• Destination Creation Courses Delivered: The program has successfully delivered three Destination Creation Courses, providing participants with foundational knowledge to position their businesses as destinations.
• Connector Sessions Offered: 'Canva Magic Studio,' 'Reels for Small Business,' and 'ChatGPT & Your Small Business,' were delivered, each session delving into game-changing topics to uplift small businesses.
• High Recommendation Rate: When asked whether they would recommend Destination Business sessions to fellow business owners, an overwhelming 96% responded with a resounding YES, attesting to the program's effectiveness and impact.

Destination Business Program Approved for ROF 2.0 Funding, Set to Launch in October 2023 in Saskatchewan and Manitoba

[Outlook, Saskatchewan, September 19, 2023] – Community Futures Mid-Sask is thrilled to announce that the highly anticipated Destination Business Program has received approval for the Rural Opportunity Fund (ROF) 2.0 funding and will be delivering courses as soon as October 2023. This innovative program is poised to transform small businesses into thriving destinations, helping entrepreneurs discover their company’s unique qualities and enabling them to stand out in the marketplace.