top of page

Steps to Success (Strategic Plan)

Introduction:

The Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative was formed to collaboratively, economically and efficiently market travel services and tourism opportunities while engaging, and educating the public with local and regional history. We were federally incorporated In June 2024.

Our primary marketing tool will be an award-winning, searchable, map-based, travel and heritage app. It will be released in Alberta, our first chapter, and then expand across Canada.

Travel-ING On Tourism Coop Strategic Plan Summary

Pre-Incorporation to 2nd AGM (4th Quarter -  2026)

The below steps summarize the steps taken to ensure the success of the Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative and planning for the future. Additions and adjustments will be made as needed.

Our Purpose: To cooperatively, effectively, and economically market travel services and attractions along with small or rural businesses, while telling the stories of communities and their histories using the Travel-ING On Mobile app as its main marketing tool.

Pre-Incorporation  

  • Our founder, Sheila Willis, who is also the creator of the former History Check mobile app, becomes the sole owner of the app, and retains all rights to it.

  • After considering her initial long-term goals for the app, she discusses potential business structures for the app with representatives from Community Futures, Business Link and other experienced professionals in the economic development, heritage and tourism industries.

  • Sheila begins investigating the cooperative business structure and contacts Cooperators First to discuss the viability of the concept and if her ideas for the business would be in compliance with the Cooperative Act.

  • In June 2024 the Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative is federally incorporated with three founding members; Joyce Aulenback, Vernelle Halifsheff, and Danielle Geddes.

Early Considerations & App Purchase

  • Sheila Willis & the founding members agree to a purchase agreement of the mobile app on a per fee basis that include conditions to ensure benefits to Travel-ING On Co-op members in the tourism and heritage industries. 

    • Willis will receive $1 from each Lifetime Membership fee, and $20 from each advertising fee into perpetuity, with succession planning to her descendants in place.

    • To ensure members with limited budgets can participate fully in the marketing options, a Members Advertising Assistance Fund is put in place with $2 from each Lifetime Membership Fee, and $15 from each Premium Advertising Fee going towards the fund. 

    • A Project Assistance Fund is set in place with $2 from each Lifetime Membership Fee, and a minimum of $5 from each Premium Advertising Fee going towards this fund. The intent is to provide future assistance with approved projects that meet the goals of the cooperative, yet may have been unable to obtain adequate funding from other sources. In a later addition, when the bylaws were approved in November 2025, 5% of allocated surplus will also be added to this fund. 

  • Pricing was put in place with a Lifetime Membership fee being a one-time fee of $25, and an Premium Advertising Fee being $250 annually.

1st Quarter 2025

  • Created a Google Form for notification by email when the Travel-ING On mobile app is available for download.

  • Held a ‘Hang It Up” contest during February, March, and April. Fairview Pizza & Donair, Leduc Coffee Shop, and the Village of Myrnam all received a Premium Advertising Pakcage for a year.

  • Started to internally discuss, finalize and document the changes needed on the app for the app development company. This document is the working copy for details, completion order etc. 

  • Initiated sponsorship program in $500, $1,000, $2,500, $5,000 & $10,000 amounts. Sponsors' benefits include website, app and printed material exposure, Target DMO’s, municipalities and service industries with multiple locations.

  • Completed and submitted the Co-operative Development Program (CDP) grant application, which was not awarded.

2nd Quarter 2025

  • Started conversations with the app development company to work on the technical side of app upgrades and improvements. The cost is approximately $5,000 CAD to update the IOS and Android coding with the rebrand work to be done hourly at an estimated cost for the first edition at $7,500. The focus is to rebrand, improve user convenience and access to information, and to add features that allow membes to edit their site listings.​

  • Establish the foundations for future marketing materials for use on social media, and other platforms - create a brand.

  • Sheila spoke about rural tourism at the Two Hills Tourism Conference & Trade Show April 30.

  • Extend the renewal date for all first year advertising to begin the day the app is available for download.

  • Begin hosting webinars for networking and to answer questions about the co-op and marketing. 

3rd Quarter 2025

  • Begin preparations for requirements and soliciting potential board members in preparation of our first AGM.

  • Initiate the Referral Rewards Program.

  • Initiate the history and heritage sharing program to begin the process of documenting history where it happened on the mobile app.

4th Quarter 2025

  • Set our fiscal year end on September 30 to ensure it complies with the rules for future AGM dates.

  • Received the Co-op Innovation Award as an Emerging Co-op through the Alberta Community & Cooperatives Association on November 4, 2025; before our first members meeting.

  • Prepared for, and held, our first Members Meeting on November 22, 2025 via Zoom. Our Bylaws were reviewed and passed.

  • Prepared for and held our first AGM where a Board of Directors were elected.​​

1st Quarter 2026

  • Begin utilizing the various talents of the new Board of Directors toensure best business practices, marketing options, and other standard operational needs.

  • Pre-sell advertisiments, and use other fundraising opportunites to accumulate the needed fund to release the first version of the mobile app.​​

  • Added as a Canadian Innovation Space Partner for #CIW26 (Canadian Innovation Week 2026) preseted by the Rideau Hall Foundation.

  • Shella Willis presented at the Nortwest of 16 Tourism Association Tourism Connect event on January 14 at Pine Valley Resort in Tawatinaw.

Scheduled Next Steps

  • Apply for various grants and other funding opportunities.

  • Create Speaker Package(s) for future engagements.

  • April / May (TBA) - Sheila Willis to speak at Two Hills Tourism Conference.​

Planned Next Steps

  • Consult with legal counsel to ensure compliance with Cooperative Acts, and all Travel-ING On Tourism Cooperative & mobile app rights are protected.

  • Work with website professional to ensure the best operations and SEO of the website, and add options Lifetime Memberships and Advertising to be purchased via the website with deposits to the Travel-ING On accounts.

More About Cooperatives

In short, cooperatives are owned by their members and they have a say in how the cooperative progresses. They are made up of people or organziations with the same goal - in this case those with an interest in heritage and tourism.

 

Resource Links: 

  1. Cooperatives First

  2. Open Alberta - Consumer Tips - Cooperative Act 

  3. Province of Alberta - Cooperatives Act (The Act)

  4. Guidance Notes from International Cooperative Alliance 

  5. Cooperatives in Canada​

​

All Rights Reserved - ©History Check App, ©Impact Tourism,  ©Travel-ING On; Alberta Edition & All Other Editions, ©Sheila's Shenanigans

bottom of page