By: Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Essex Free Press
The County of Essex has been asked to support co-hosting a bid to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) for upcoming conferences for 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031.
After a robust discussion on the matter, County Council voted to support Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island’s (TWEPI) submission to AMO for the City of Windsor and County of Essex, and authorized the County CAO to co-sign the bid document along with the CAO of Windsor.
Such conferences have been held as of late in the Ottawa area. Windsor-Essex has hosted the AMO Conference in 2010 and 2016, “with much success,” County CAO Sandra Zwiers said.
AMO reached out to the City of Windsor with the request to consider hosting future conferences, which forwarded the request to TWEPI to evaluate the feasibility of putting in a joint request.
Some of those conversations took place late in 2025, Zwiers explained.
“Once TWEPI determined there was enough support in the region – both from a hospitality and a hoteling/venue perspective – then they reached out to me at the County to see if we would be interested in co-hosting or jointly bidding to AMO.”
The application would outline a financial commitment from the City and County at $67,500 annually, which is net from a contribution from TWEPI.
Back in 2010 and 2016, the upward limit for spending was $25,000. The actual spending after leveraging community support and other in-kind donations worked out to be around $19,000 for both years.
In addition to ten-years having passed since AMO was hosted locally, there is now a requirement for the host region to put on a reception at the AMO Conference preceding its hosting, which adds to the financial commitment, Zwiers explained to the cost difference from the past and present.
“We would make every effort to defray the $67,500, so that the net cost is below that by leveraging those partnerships with regional entities and businesses,” Zwiers added.
The application deadline is at the end-of-the-month, meaning this meeting was the only one at which County Council could discuss the matter.
Amherstburg Mayor Michael Prue knows there are short-term and long-term benefits of hosting the conference. While Windsor – in the short-term – will fill hotel rooms and benefit from the additional visitors to the area, he wondered about the benefit to the County.
He didn’t see any short-term benefits for the County.
In speaking to TWEPI’s CEO Gordon Orr, Zwiers relayed hotel use will transition to locations in the County that will be utilized as part of the proposal. There will also be scheduled tours and information sessions that will take delegates in the city out into the county.
Conversations have been had that “if the County is going to be equally partnering from a financial basis, that there be an effort to include destination, restaurants, hotels, and site venues, and tours out in the County to make sure that immediate impact is seen in the County,” Zwiers answered.
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara was also President of AMO in 2016. Back then, he said, it was a $4M injection to the local economy. Tours were set up at County wineries, and they were well-attended. There were also tours with the ag agency.
Getting representatives of the government to the region is also a great opportunity, he added, as municipal leaders from across Ontario are able to connect with each other and Provincial reps, as well.
There is also a benefit in that hosting it locally allows more Councillors and staff to attend, as there is a cost to attend those in regions as far as Ottawa, for instance.
McNamara supports co-hosting the conference.
Prue had doubts that conference attendees would get on a bus and head out into the county.
Zwiers noted the cohosting model demands that the proposal have a balance of presence in the County. In municipalities that host on their own, attendees are centralized.
Prue also asked if the County had to pay for half, as he believed Windsor would get more benefit from the deal.
Zwiers said County could propose a different funding model.
Prue put forward an amendment to the motion to negotiate a lower cost-sharing rate for the County than 50/50. That failed.
County Deputy Warden/Deputy Mayor of Tecumseh, Joe Bachetti, believes the County should take advantage of the opportunity as 1400 or so delegates could attend. He also supported putting in the bid.
Essex Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley had some of the same reactions as Prue when he saw the report on the matter, but then considered the number of municipal Councillors and staff who would be able to attend and benefit from the information shared because it would be hosted locally. He also liked to hear about possible greenhouse and winery tours.
Kingsville Mayor Dennis Rogers said the opportunity would also allow the region to show off the best features of the area.
The whole goal of the conference is to connect with MPPs, who will be brought to the region and better understand the needs of the area.
In answering Kingsville Deputy Mayor Kim DeYong’s question on if County staff will be expected to work at the conference, Zwiers noted that is her understanding, along with City and TWEPI staff during the event, to help assist with registration and being concierges on tours. DeYong believes it will be a great opportunity.