Our Story

Travel-ING On; Alberta Edition started as the History Check App. Initially, History Check was to be a single platform where multiple organizations from northern Alberta could share information on their local history. This would eliminate geographical boundaries and the need for multiple apps.

 

As the concept developed, it became apparent that the travel services and other points of interest could easily be added, offering community guides across the north. 

 

Starting in 2015, a non-profit society was formed with the intention of being able to raise funds for the project. That did not work out as well as planned, with few grants available for such a project.

 

That didn’t stop Sheila Willis though and with minimal funding, long hours and a passion for the project, the northern Alberta app was launched in 2017. In 2019 the app moved from a non-profit to a business platform and was expanded to include all of Alberta in 2019.

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Sheila describes herself as a housewife from the bush. She has goals of bringing History Check - (which is in the process of being rebranded to Travel-ING-On) - to other provinces across Canada, and then into a global market; knowing her determination, she will do it. 

 

The mobile app has received multiple awards and mentions including; Outstanding Achievement for Heritage Awareness, the Marketing Award at the last Growing Rural Tourism conference, and being short-listed for a Governor General's award in Community Programming. 

 

History Check © - soon to be known as Travel-ING-On © is a motivational, success story. Sheila has almost single-handedly created the concept, organized the programming and added most of the sites on the app.  That is not to say she has not had help - plenty of people and organizations have stepped up when asked to assist!

 

In 2022, she is still building, adding ING-Things, marketing and doing all the necessary things to make the mobile app go viral. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from app users, and those she gives demos is what keeps her going.

 

Her appreciation for the volunteers, partners and alliances that she has formed cannot be expressed in words. As in the beginning, the mobile app is a collaborative effort, and through this cooperation this Alberta made app will see the success it deserves. 

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From Sheila Willis: I have had multiple requests from people who want to contribute to this mobile app project. As a result, we will now accept email money transfers at historycheckapp@gmail.com in any amount. Please use any question you wish, with the answer being Thanks.

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