Call for solutions - Locker rooms of the future

The call for solutions for the locker rooms of the future is launched!

Loto-Québec is looking for a solution that would reinvent the experience of the tourism industry's locker rooms . This call for solutions aims to support the implementation of this solution with funding of up to $200,000 to develop and test your solution.

For all the details, download the Applicant Guide.

Important Dates

February 18, 2025 – Candidacy opens
February 26, 2025, 11 a.m. to noon – Virtual information session
March 27, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. – Deadline for submission of project applications
April 2025 – 2 to 3 finalists will meet with the leader of the call for solutions to discuss their project
May 2025 – Announcement of the winning solution
May 2025 – Start of the implementation of the solution with the call for solutions
January 31, 2026 – End of the implementation of the solution with the call for solutions

Problematic

Loto-Québec is looking for a solution that would reinvent the experience of the tourism industry's locker rooms. The proposed solutions must align with some of the objectives of the Ministry of Tourism's strategic plan, namely: to encourage innovation in the tourism industry, to support the emergence and integration of sustainable and responsible practices in the tourism offer, and to promote and support the use of strategic data in tourism.

The proposed solutions must aim to solve at least one of the identified issues* of the current locker rooms, namely:

Optimizing the customer experience including reducing queues, personalized support for customers of all ages while ensuring a balance between visitor autonomy and personalized services;
Improving the employee experience including valuing employees' tasks, reducing redundant tasks to allow the introduction of value-added tasks;
The adaptability of the changing rooms , including a changing room that is modular according to the realities of the different establishments but also to the seasonality.

* Solutions that address a greater number of issues will be prioritized in the selection process

Needs

Loto-Québec is currently looking for a solution to renew their locker room that would meet one or more of the following criteria:

Enhancing staff and customer experience: Automating certain functions is essential to free up employees to focus on value-added tasks. Automation could also improve the customer experience by reducing wait times while maintaining the human aspect.
Personalized approach depending on the site: Needs vary by facility, so a solution that is adaptable to each operational context and volume is crucial.
Transition to an enhanced locker room experience: There is potential for the cloakroom to become more than a utility service, contributing positively to customer satisfaction.
Success criteria: The success of the project will be measured by ease of use, minimal need for human support for new technologies, and customer satisfaction, including the absence of negative feedback, which would be a step backwards from the current situation.

The proposed solution must take into account one or more of these issues during the experimentation on the pilot site.

WHY APPLY FOR THE CALL FOR SOLUTIONS?

Funding of up to $200,000 to develop and test your solution;
Access to the MT Lab's network of experts in order to carry out the development of your solution;
Your solution will be integrated directly into the Casino de Charlevoix;
Increased visibility of your company and services;
Receiving concrete feedback from Loto-Québec and users of the solution, promoting a better fit;
The ability to expand your solution to other locations, subject to the success of the pilot and the final solution's compliance with the established criteria.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

The applicant must be an innovative company that wishes to implement its solution in the Casino de Charlevoix;
The applicant must have been in operation for more than one year;
The applicant must have a Quebec enterprise number (NEQ);
The applicant must have a website in French;
All projects are subject to approval by the Ministry of Tourism;
The project submitted must be able to be carried out in its entirety according to the parameters set out before January 31, 2026;
The same business may not be a recipient of a financial support program more than once in the same year within the Tourism Innovation Program;
A supplier and/or recipient of Tourism Innovation Program funding cannot be awarded for more than two consecutive years;
Also, a supplier and/or a beneficiary of a call for challenges or a call for solutions cannot be a winner if they were in the previous year;
The instructions for submitting an application, including those relating to the documents to be attached to the form, must be respected.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING THE SOLUTION

The proposed solution improves the customer experience
– Simplicity of use;
– Minimal need for human support for new technologies;
The solution demonstrates the ability to measure the benefits for the region and for Loto-Québec's activities, particularly the Casino de Charlevoix;
The company's ability to market the solution;
The ability to deliver the pilot project (robust technology, team expertise, timelines);
The business model is sustainable and aims for replicability in the rest of the industry;
The response to one or more issues identified by Loto-Québec;
– Optimization of the customer experience;
– Improvement of the employee experience;
– Adaptability of locker rooms;
The quality of response to one of the objectives of the Ministry of Tourism, either;
– Increased productivity, competitiveness or efficiency of the company/organization;
– Counter the labour shortage;
– Digital Transformation
The innovative and innovative nature of the proposed solution compared to existing solutions;
Positive impact of the solution on marginalized and racialized populations, ethnic minorities, sexual minorities and people with physical or cognitive disabilities;
Consideration of the principles of responsible and sustainable tourism;
- Reducing the environmental footprint of tourism activity;
- Supporting the transition to a circular economy;
- Promote sustainable transportation;
- Promoting tourism that benefits individuals and respects communities

HOW TO SUBMIT A PROJECT?

As an applicant, you must submit your application by completing this form. In the form, you will need to provide the following 2 documents:

Presentation document (maximum 13 pages – template to be downloaded), including the following information:

Section 1: Company Overview

Demonstration of your understanding of Loto-Québec's issues (1/2 page maximum)
Presentation of your company and your team (1 page maximum)
Presentation of your customers and your current marketing capacity (1 page maximum)
Presentation of your business model (1 page maximum)

Section 2: Technology

Presentation of your locker room solution by explaining how it meets the challenges of the call for solutions (2 pages maximum)
Overview of how your solution will deliver a memorable customer service experience (1 page maximum)
Presentation of the social impact that the solution can have from an accessibility point of view for Loto-Québec customers or employees (1/2 page maximum)
Presentation of the potential for pooling the project in the Quebec tourism industry¹ (1/2 page maximum)
Presentation of your solution by explaining how it meets the challenges of the Quebec Ministry of Tourism (1 page maximum)

Section 3: Feasibility

Detailed budget for the implementation of the solution (1 to 2 pages) *Cost overruns will have to be assumed by the company
Pilot project timeline , including all elements to be developed (1 page)
Projection of the human resources (including the post-implementation role) and material needs required by Loto-Québec (1 page maximum)
Expected results with key performance indicators and potential benefits for Loto-Québec. (1/2 to 1 page)

2. A declaration of no conflict of interest between the applicant and the members of the MT Lab team as well as the members of the MT Lab Board of Directors (1 page – template to be completed)