Strategic Plan 2014-2017
Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society will be a leader in demonstrating the culture and heritage of the Muskoka region and its contribution to Canada by presenting compelling, entertaining and educational experiences, attractions and events.
Our programs focus on demonstrating the culture and heritage of Canada with a focus on our region through: Preserving and operating Muskoka Steamships, which includes the historic R.M.S. Segwun and the Wenonah II, the Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre including the Wanda III and the Heritage Boat Works. Revitalizing and expanding the facility to further enable us to present culture and heritage in a compelling way in a region already recognized as a world tourist destination. Heritage includes but is not limited to the traditions of the steamship, wooden boats and grand hotel era Operating with expanded facilities a multi-purposed year round meeting centre for the creative, artistic, and culture and heritage minded staff and volunteers to share their interests and knowledge to educate, amuse and entertain our guests
Engage A Larger Audience Develop Our People Optimize Our Guest Experience Revitalize and Expand Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre Increase Self Sufficiency Financial Planning
Engage A Larger Audience Attract more guests by refreshing our existing exhibits and displays and entertaining more visitors with our new, interactive story telling technologies. Develop Our People Grow our management capability and support our hundreds of volunteers with the latest and most effective technology so that we can continue to be one of the premier tourist destinations in Ontario.
Optimize Our Guest Experience Expand and develop the ways in which we tell our story to our guests and entertain them in the Heritage Centre and on board our ships. Revitalize and Expand Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre Renew the interior of the existing building and develop a plan to dramatically expand it to become an even more compelling destination for the local community and tourists.
Increase Self-Sufficiency Develop plans and strategies to maximize potential revenue from the private sector in order to generate new capital, increase self-sufficiency and assure the long term viability of the organization. Financial Planning Develop a long term financial plan incorporating the significant expenditures required to maintain our ships and both renew the existing Heritage Centre and dramatically expand it in the future.
Rick Terry President John Miller General Manager rterry@realmuskoka.com jmiller@realmuskoka.com
What s Next? A Message from our President and General Manager The Muskoka Steamship and Historical Society will be 41 years old in 2014. Through the dedicated efforts of our Board of Directors, management, staff, volunteers and members we have achieved significant success. To position the Society for the future, the board, working with management and staff, has just completed a vision and strategic plan for 2014-2017. This plan will be refreshed annually and we seek your feedback as we collaboratively go forward. Aligned with this strategy, a number of initiatives have already been undertaken and will be in place for this summer season. Examples include: Land purchase adjacent to the Heritage Centre and research on expansion opportunities Initiative to significantly expand overall membership with a focus on increasing Friends of the Society participation Developing plans for a large scale fundraising campaign Totally revamped web site to make it easier for our guests to buy tickets, become a member, or make a donation! Improved communication with our members and donors with leading edge software to keep them always current with our activities and programs! Exciting new exhibits for this year and following years Feature presentation on historic hotels and the Big Band era New access for members and the general public to our unique archives Expansion of our very successful Smartphone APP called Explore Muskoka to share more information Shifted marketing approach to include more online contact to improve our guest s experience, convenience and entertainment Continued technology upgrades to enhance guest service: automated billing in our dining rooms, GPS flatscreens on board our ships that explain points of interest based on location and a new sound system on board the R.M.S. Segwun Your contributions have been and continue to be vital to the development of the Society and its work. With your support and inspiration, we will continue to develop as a premier culture and heritage based attraction in Muskoka.
www.realmuskoka.com The Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society is a membership based not-for-profit registered charity Charity BN/Registration #: 13261 7770 RR0001 For more information call 1-866-687-6667 R.M.S. Segwun Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre Wenonah II