Get Your ING-On In Alberta! ​
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The Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative was federally incorporated in the summer of 2024. Our purpose is to connect travellers and explorers with the businesses and organizations that provide them with experiences, services & community stories.
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Our first marketing tool will be an award-winning, map-based travel & heritage mobile app. App users will be able to see what is around them using the near me feature, see what each region offers through community menus, or, by using the search function find specific products and services or create tours of specific things such as museums, big icons and so much more.
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While the download will be free, Lifetime Members will be eligible for specials, discounts and other offers provided exclusively to them by our Premium Advertising Members.
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Who Owns the Cooperative?
In a co-op its members are its owners. As owners, both Lifetime & Premium (advertising) Members will have a voice through the democratic process in future app development, other marketing tactics and financial decisions that affect not only the budgetary requirements but the distribution of annual dividends to members.
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Why a Cooperative?
You may be familiar with retail cooperatives. UFA and Federated Co-op are two examples; members purchase a lifetime membership and, dependent on the amount they purchase from the co-op, and its success, recieve an annual patronage dividend.
The Travel-ING ON Tourism Co-op follows a similar structure. It is a marketing co-op where members share a common goal; to provide - or receive - travel information that engages people in community. We bring travellers & those providing them with services together.
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Where Can I Lean More About Co-ops?
​To learn more about cooperatives and their structure, we found the following websites & organizations very helpful.
Alberta Comunity & Cooperative Association
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Who Can Become a Member?
Membership is open to any individual, business or other entity that has an interst in, or is a stakeholder in the heritage and tourism industries.
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What Does it Cost to Become a Member?
There is a one-time fee of $25 to become a Lifetime Member. Advertising costs are extra.
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Will I Get a Patronage Dividend?
We expect that patronage dividends, depending on the annual success of the co-op, will be available to members that use the services of the co-op, or advertise through it. The decision will be made after our first AGM after receiving member's input.
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How Will Advertising Members be Marketed?
​The initial marketing tool is the searchable, map-based mobile app previously known as History Check. It will be updated and reloaded on the App Store and Google Play as the Travel-ING On Mobile App with an expected release date of spring 2025.
Premium Advertising Members are also encouraged to offer specials, discounts or other offers to Lifetime Members. We will be adding a list of business members and any specials they are offering to this website.
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How Much Does Advertising Cost?
The base rate for advertisig is $250 and includes a site listing on the mobile app with 10 keywords that drive user sesarches. Additional site listings are $50 per year and additional keywords are $25 per year per site.
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What is the Member's Assistance Fund?
​​While the base fee of $250 annually is affordable for most, there will be non-profits or small businesses with limited budgets that find it out of their reach. In keeping with our committment to support each other, $15 from each $250 advertising fee will be placed into a 'Member's Assistance Fund'. Members with limited resources may apply for up to $200 assistance for their annual advertising fee, and any assistance given does not detract from their patronage dividend. This allows members to support each other, simply by advertising through the cooperative. We will also accept donations into this fund.
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What is the Project Assistance Fund?
​​This fund will be set up for future project that meet the goals of the cooperative. While still under discussion, awaiting member input, a minimum of $5 from each $250 advertising fee will go into this fund, with the intent to supply forgivable loans or grants to projecs by members that meet the overall goals of the cooperative.
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NOTE: Information and terminology may change as the founding members works through the business plan and bylaws and ensures compliance with Cooperative Acts. Information provided is to convey the goals and concepts of the cooperative during the start up phase.
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We want to hear your input. Please use one of the forms below.